Is There a Spark/Ignition Tester I Can Actually See?

[minuteman62-64]

Here I am, single-handedly ignition testing any hand-cranked small engine (outboard, lawn mower, whatever). Hook up my spark tester, pull the cord, and ...... Huh. Did it spark or not? Couldn't see because of my motion pulling the cord. Or maybe my vision is just too bad. Anyways, I always have to go get the wife to observe the tester while I pull the cord. Of course she isn't exactly sure what she's looking for - and doesn't want to try pulling the cord herself.

Is there anything out there that has high visibility (in daylight)? Or, anything that trips an indicator to indicate a spark - that I can check after I've pulled the cord?

The one I've got is a HF (I think) that's just an adjustable air gap. I've also got one from a source long forgotten (maybe also HF) that has a bulb inside a plastic housing. Can't see either one while I'm pulling the cord.

 

[MTboatguy]

Last time I had the wife come out to pull the cord, it ended up shocking the hell out of me, I didn't have the tester plugged in yet and she pulled the cord, what I did find out though, it was getting spark!

:lol:

 

[gm280]

Here I am, single-handedly ignition testing any hand-cranked small engine (outboard, lawn mower, whatever). Hook up my spark tester, pull the cord, and ...... Huh. Did it spark or not? Couldn't see because of my motion pulling the cord. Or maybe my vision is just too bad. Anyways, I always have to go get the wife to observe the tester while I pull the cord. Of course she isn't exactly sure what she's looking for - and doesn't want to try pulling the cord herself.

Is there anything out there that has high visibility (in daylight)? Or, anything that trips an indicator to indicate a spark - that I can check after I've pulled the cord?

The one I've got is a HF (I think) that's just an adjustable air gap. I've also got one from a source long forgotten (maybe also HF) that has a bulb inside a plastic housing. Can't see either one while I'm pulling the cord.

You always could install a NE2H neon lamp in series with your spark plug tester and then if it sparks it also lights the lamp too. It takes around 90 volts to light a neon lamp/bulb and if in series with the spark gap tester it will work perfectly. If it lights you know you had enough voltage to jump the spark gap as well... JMHO!

 

[hondam]

I really like my stevens instruments one. If its really bright direct sunlight i still cant see it but it does really good the majority of the time in normal lighting conditions.