OMG I got Unilite Shocked!!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
OMG I got Unilite Shocked!!
I got the Unilite installed, got the engine started, and i go to adjust the timing, so i loosen the distributor bolt and as soon as i put my hand on the distributor it knocked me to the ground..literally..i had a sharp, electric shock run straight up my arm, and I felt every bit of it. 
I got the ground on a intake manifold bolt on my victor jr. Do i need a better ground? where do you recommend? or is there something else that is wrong here?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
Originally Posted by Wrencher
The human body is a great conductor to ground! All that water...
The engine ground is for low voltage (12V). no ground for the plug wires, that's what the spark plug (or your hand
) is for.
Hans
The engine ground is for low voltage (12V). no ground for the plug wires, that's what the spark plug (or your hand
) is for.Hans
yea, btw, my arm still hurts. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
You can connect a wire to ground ... then move the other end
around the outside of the distributor cap. You should be able
to hear and see (at least in some darkness) the arc and where
it is "leaking".
That is ... once the fear of electric shock therapy wears off.
around the outside of the distributor cap. You should be able
to hear and see (at least in some darkness) the arc and where
it is "leaking".
That is ... once the fear of electric shock therapy wears off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 3
From: Deltona (son of Deland and DAYTONA) FL
YOUCH!
Glad you are OK. Hmm, My dist has no external ground wire, just 2 wires that go to the MDS box. The coil has 2 wires that do the same. The MSD box is grounded to the frame.
Should there be a dist ground wire?
Glad you are OK. Hmm, My dist has no external ground wire, just 2 wires that go to the MDS box. The coil has 2 wires that do the same. The MSD box is grounded to the frame.
Should there be a dist ground wire?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Originally Posted by Redshark6974
I figure i got arc coming out of the boots somewhere...got to check on that.
If you think you have an arc around the boots, try running the engine in a dark garage. If there's sparks, this'll make it easier to see.
To check spark plug wire continuity, I once used an ohmmeter to measure resistance from the inside of the distributor cap to the ends of the spark plug wires.
...and maybe next time, you should wear some rubber gloves. This will help not getting shocked.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette Louisiana
I found it to feel as if someone hit me in the chest with a 2x4. I touched the spring connecting an old style timming light. You never forget but will become brave enough to try again someday.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I have been zapped a few times. The old style points give you a jolt but the newer MSD units or the like really pack a punch and will knock you over. Check the boots at night with the hood open and you might see some arcing. I grab my dist all the time and don't get shocked, you do not need a ground for the dist.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 673
Likes: 0
From: Jackson Ms
man bet that was a wopper! those put out some volts!! i been there before. use to work on tv's...ever had the back off one? big red wire going to the back of the tube. holds 30,000 charge on it...talk about a knock you @#$% in the dirt!! 
took me a little wile to get up the nerve to do that agen. 
those put out some volts!! i been there before. use to work on tv's...ever had the back off one? big red wire going to the back of the tube. holds 30,000 charge on it...talk about a knock you @#$% in the dirt!! took me a little wile to get up the nerve to do that agen.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
My coil is suspect right now..its on there, but not really snug. I will run the car tonight to see if i see some arc. I might get someone else to touch the boots to see if its still arcing. Makes a nice practical joke. I'm sure i got shot with every bit of 15 volts.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 673
Likes: 0
From: Jackson Ms
those coils jump the voltage up to 30,000 to 50,000 volts! bet you got a lot more then 15 volt shock.
it's the amp's you got to look out for. dont take but a little to kill you!
it's the amp's you got to look out for. dont take but a little to kill you!
Last edited by grayhook; Apr 20, 2005 at 06:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
Originally Posted by adam
Wait a minute....
That description doesn't sound correct. Are you sure you put your hands
where you said you did?
You may want to try again just to make sure
That description doesn't sound correct. Are you sure you put your hands
where you said you did?
You may want to try again just to make sure
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
Originally Posted by grayhook
those coils jump the voltage up to 30,000 to 50,000 volts! bet you got a lot more then 15 volt shock.
it's the amp's you got to look out for. dont take but a little to kill you!
it's the amp's you got to look out for. dont take but a little to kill you!
REALLY? i was thinking i got about 12-15..depending.. Nice to know i almost died today. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Yes, you almost died today. Not to be alarmist, but folks need to know how to deal with high voltages like this...
Next time you touch that distributor, make sure your other hand is in your pants pocket. If you are leaning on a potential ground, the current can run across you chest -- and possibly stop your heart!
Next time you touch that distributor, make sure your other hand is in your pants pocket. If you are leaning on a potential ground, the current can run across you chest -- and possibly stop your heart!
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 86
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From: cypress tx
yep, coils will knock your socks off. as mentioned in a previous post, keep one hand in your pocket... play a little pocket pool, cue ball in the center pocket.... reminds me to tech school, back in vaccumn tubes and 4 bit processor days, when we would charge very LARGE capacitors and throw them at class mates and watch shake rattel and roll from the shock when the caught them... of course I never did anything like that...