Pertroix Ignition life expectancy

[mikewood869]

Just out of curiosity, how long does the electronic ignition last on a tractor before it dies? I put one on our 1950 8n almost 10 years ago and it finally died (tractor probably ran with it for 7 years). Haven’t killed a coil yet. Seems like the most issue before electronic ignition was killing the condenser. Our 4500 has had it for 8 years and still going

 

[bob p mn]

I put one in my John Deere 70 at least 15 to 20 years ago, it's old enough that you can run wire cored plug wires with it and I have not had any problems with it at all. And it does still have the same wires on it today. I have not installed a Pertronix in any of my Ford's so I have no experience with them but shouldn't make any difference.

 

[HCooke]

I have had Pertronix in a 9N with 12 volt conversion for 8 years. Using wire cored plug wires also. No issues to date.

 

[Eman85]

Sounds like a shorter life than my points, can't remember the last time I changed them.

 

[HCooke]

Sounds like a shorter life than my points, can't remember the last time I changed them.

Do you live in a dry or humid climate?

 

[old]

Just out of curiosity, how long does the electronic ignition last on a tractor before it dies? I put one on our 1950 8n almost 10 years ago and it finally died (tractor probably ran with it for 7 years). Haven’t killed a coil yet. Seems like the most issue before electronic ignition was killing the condenser. Our 4500 has had it for 8 years and still going

I've yhad them work for year but also seen them go bad in days or weeks. I have also had points last for decades

 

[Ultradog MN]

They are a very simple electronic device with no moving parts to oxidize, wear out or degrade so can last pretty much forever. I know of one that worked perfectly for 10 years before I lost track of it.

 

[Eman85]

Do you live in a dry or humid climate?

Extremely humid, we grow mold on moving cars.
I can't remember the last time I replaced the points, I have filed and reset them a time or 2 but it's been years since I've done that. I know my plug wires are over 30 years old as I remember changing them when I lived at my previous house. Tractor does get used a lot and indoor storage is a fairly recent thing. Used to sit out all of the time.

 

[John P.]

The one I put in my Oliver Super 55 is 25 years old and still going strong.