Non-equal length plug wires
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,786
Likes: 6
From: Lafayette Colorado
Re: Non-equal length plug wires (bierbelly)
Simple math would tell you that the electricity can't possibly get through the 18" wires as fast as it will get through the 8" wires... :D
Would the extra length of the wire add too much resistance or is the difference in lengths minimal?
Keith
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: Non-equal length plug wires (VetteNoob)
Simple math would tell you that the electricity can't possibly get through the 18" wires as fast as it will get through the 8" wires...
if you know this, you will see that it would take quite a lot of cable length to make any "speed" difference as to the electrical travel time.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,522
Likes: 0
From: Sterling VA
Re: Non-equal length plug wires (Mike Mercury)
OK, Mr. Know-It-All... at what speed do electrons travel through a conductor?
if you know this, you will see that it would take quite a lot of cable length to make any "speed" difference as to the electrical travel time.
if you know this, you will see that it would take quite a lot of cable length to make any "speed" difference as to the electrical travel time.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16,736
Likes: 1
From: Redacted
Re: Non-equal length plug wires (Mike Mercury)
Actually, electrons travel *quite slowly* through a conductor. I don't have the number off the top of my head, but it is like a couple of seconds per meter. :D
Electrical current though travels quite near the speed of light through a conductor. ;)
Electrical current though travels quite near the speed of light through a conductor. ;)
Simple math would tell you that the electricity can't possibly get through the 18" wires as fast as it will get through the 8" wires...
OK, Mr. Know-It-All... at what speed do electrons travel through a conductor?
if you know this, you will see that it would take quite a lot of cable length to make any "speed" difference as to the electrical travel time.
OK, Mr. Know-It-All... at what speed do electrons travel through a conductor?
if you know this, you will see that it would take quite a lot of cable length to make any "speed" difference as to the electrical travel time.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,786
Likes: 6
From: Lafayette Colorado
Re: Non-equal length plug wires (jfpilla)
Make them all 18".
Keith
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 1
From: Wichita KS
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Re: Non-equal length plug wires (kromberg)
It was never a problem before multiple coils. I don't think it would matter, but do not know for sure.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16,736
Likes: 1
From: Redacted
Re: Non-equal length plug wires (Flyin'Brian)
It should not matter in the slightest.
If you look at any engine with a distributor, you'll see the wires are all different lengths.
Just trim them right up as you like.
If you look at any engine with a distributor, you'll see the wires are all different lengths.
Just trim them right up as you like.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: Non-equal length plug wires (larrysb)
Actually, electrons travel *quite slowly* through a conductor. I don't have the number off the top of my head, but it is like a couple of seconds per meter.
In order for "current" to flow... electrons must travel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,241
Likes: 1
From: Torrance Ca.
Re: Non-equal length plug wires (Mike Mercury)
Actually, electrons travel *quite slowly* through a conductor. I don't have the number off the top of my head, but it is like a couple of seconds per meter.
it's at the speed of light.
In order for "current" to flow... electrons must travel.
it's at the speed of light.
In order for "current" to flow... electrons must travel.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
Re: Non-equal length plug wires (joemoia)
18 vs 8" w/8 coils should make no differenct.
Lets see,, 1.5 ft / 186,000 fps = 8.0645161290322580645161290322581e-6 seconds.
Now the real question is what is the Q of the coil so we can calculate the time it takes the voltage to follow the electrons and build enough to hit the minimun voltage necessary to make the spark.. Ok, so it is :bs but was fun thinking about it..
Change the coils and have fun with your vet.. 99 Nassau Blue 3.42 :chevy
Lets see,, 1.5 ft / 186,000 fps = 8.0645161290322580645161290322581e-6 seconds.
Now the real question is what is the Q of the coil so we can calculate the time it takes the voltage to follow the electrons and build enough to hit the minimun voltage necessary to make the spark.. Ok, so it is :bs but was fun thinking about it..
Change the coils and have fun with your vet.. 99 Nassau Blue 3.42 :chevy
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington NC
Re: Non-equal length plug wires (jimcork1)
18 vs 8" w/8 coils should make no differenct.
Lets see,, 1.5 ft / 186,000 fps = 8.0645161290322580645161290322581e-6 seconds.
Now the real question is what is the Q of the coil so we can calculate the time it takes the voltage to follow the electrons and build enough to hit the minimun voltage necessary to make the spark.. Ok, so it is :bs but was fun thinking about it..
Change the coils and have fun with your vet.. 99 Nassau Blue 3.42 :chevy
Lets see,, 1.5 ft / 186,000 fps = 8.0645161290322580645161290322581e-6 seconds.
Now the real question is what is the Q of the coil so we can calculate the time it takes the voltage to follow the electrons and build enough to hit the minimun voltage necessary to make the spark.. Ok, so it is :bs but was fun thinking about it..
Change the coils and have fun with your vet.. 99 Nassau Blue 3.42 :chevy
Speed of light is 186,000 miles per second. And then you have to factor in the VP (velocity of propogation) as light only travels that fast in free space. Depending on the media, electricity travels at 95 to 60% of the speed of light.
Sorry couldn't resist! :blueangel:
[Modified by Richin Chicago, 5:40 PM 6/20/2003]