False Low RPM reading in Alfano 6 ADA when On Throttle LO206

4 Stroke Kart Engine Forum
1

I am seeing a false low RPM value in my trace data in ADA from an Alfano 6 measuring a LO206 engine when under load and seems to be worse at higher RPMs. It seems to be missing every other ignition and measuring half the actual RPM value. When I get on the brakes the RPM spikes back up to the actual value. See first two images for example data with multiple laps from multiple runs.

I’m believe I have the RPM sensor wire installed correctly per the instructions. I did not trim the excess wire as it did not state to do so in the instructions (in hind site this may have been the issue), but just zip tied it behind the steering wheel (see Figure 4).

I did not think the extra loops should cause too much issue as it is kind of randomly arranged, so I did not think there would be enough inductive coupling to mess with the signal coming from the spark plug, but this is the only thing I can think of at the moment.

I have installed a ferrite core on the wire but haven’t been able to test again due to there being snow on the ground in my area (need high RPM/load to validate), so I won’t know if that made a difference for another couple months. I don’t really have any other electronics on the kart currently so I’m not sure where the noise would be coming from.

Has anyone else seen this issue with their Alfano RPM data? Or even with their MyChron data?

Is 4-turns on the spark plug wire enough for most people? Can I just add even more turns to the section around the spark plug wire? Keep adding turns there until the issue resolves?

Thanks for any feedback!

Figure 1: Alfano_ADA_Data_RPM_Noise

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Figure 2: Alfano_ADA_Data_RPM_Noise2

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Figure 3: RPM sensor wire installation on spark plug wire

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Figure 4: Extra RPM sensor wire zip tied behind steering wheel

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Figure 5: Alfano RPM sensor installation instructions

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2

I have seen this before too. Wrap the wire about 4-5 more times around the plug wire. Use electrical tape or a zip tie to keep it super tight.

3

If the above doesn’t work try playing around in the RPM settings on the Alfano itself in case the RPM factor is incorrect. I believe you’ll want an RPM factor of x1.

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EDIT: Changed RPM factor to x1 from x2

4

I would recommend trimming the wire to just the length needed instead of bundled up. Make sure there is no nicks in the wire and it’s touching the frame or something else. Looking at the data traces it looks vibration induced.

5

This is good info here, definitely make sure to check for wire nicks. If you dont want to trim the wire leave a few inches sticking out the end at the plug wire to blow in the wind. Anything to reduce the tight bundle you have tied together. These gauges pick up spark through and induction signal, it’s almost like you’re creating a false feedback loop with that bundle.

6

Christopher, were you able to solve your low false RPM reading? I am having the same issue.

7

Four strokes in karting are wasted spark, ie they spark at every crank rotation just like a two stroke.

So the spark per rev should always be 1 for both two and four stoke engines. There might be exceptions, but I can’t think of any.

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