How to Build a 1980 Honda CX500C CDI Module
By George in NC
Introduction
The CX/GL500 series bikes are sturdy and durable and often referred to as bulletproof. The bikes came with two types of ignitions. The first was called a capacitive discharge ignition (CDI) and the second was the transistorized ignition most commonly found in the GL/Silverwing series.
The page is dealing with the most commonly failed CDI/ignition module. In an attempt to keep my bike running, I have had the pleasure of running across many other individuals who have had and still have the same concerns. A good place to start gathering information is the very popular and thorough HONDA CX & GL 500 OWNERS CLUB SWEDEN (http://cx500.gobinet.se/).
Lets get to the reason for this page…
Section 1: The Actual Honda CDI Circuit Schematic….
This schematic was given to me by someone in NC who had removed the resin on a non-working CDI and diagramed it. I had also taken the resin off some boards and have found that this diagram is right on the money so it is the basis for the prototypes. There is no difference in the schematic for either the black or gold box (at least none that I’ve found). The only thing to note below is that the ORN and ORN/WHT leads are swapped. The ORN is the left TDC lead and the ORN/WHT is the ADV lead (this also holds true for the LTBLUE leads).
Schematic summary:
The 3 leads (Ex…ORN/WHT + ORN/RED + ORN or LTBLUE/WHT + LTBLUE/RED + LTBLUE…you get the idea) trigger the SCR (Ex…SCRR or SCRL), with a pulse, to discharge the capacitors (Ex…CR or CL) through the ignition coils (which are step-up transformers/increase the voltage) thus creating a spark at the spark plugs. The power used to charge the capacitors is supplied by the Blue and White wire and the ignition is turned off by the BLK/WHT wire going to ground.
Lead Descriptions: On the above schematic there is an error and the listings below are correct….
Wire |
Description |
---|---|
LTBLUE/WHT |
pulse lead for SCRR advance |
LTBLUE/RED |
pulse lead for SCRR gate cutoff |
LTBLUE |
pulse lead for SCRR TDC/idle gate trigger |
ORN/WHT |
pulse lead for SCRL ‘full’ advance |
ORN/RED |
pulse lead for SCRL gate cutoff |
ORN |
pulse lead for SCRL TDC/idle gate trigger |
BLUE |
positive pulsing power for discharge capacitor |
WHITE |
not totally sure, but it is used as the negative half of the alternating current flowing through the positive BLUE. |
GREEN |
ground to bike frame/engine. |
BLK/WHT |
goes to ground when kill switch is tripped or ignition is turned off |
PEACH/PINK |
goes to Right coil |
YELLOW |
goes to Left coil |
There is an important note I would like to add about the electrical characteristics of a SCR. An SCR is basically a diode that can be turned on/off like a light switch. The trick is that a SCR cannot be turned “off” until the voltage across it is either zero or a negative value. So how does the SCR in this ignition turn off?? I won’t know for a fact until I get a oscilliscope and do alittle testing.
Item |
Description |
---|---|
D8-11 |
creates positive pulse |
D12 & 13 |
creates negative pulse |
R19, R26 & 27 |
voltage divider |
R22, R23 |
voltage divider |
Capacitors |
in general, the capacitors (not including CL & CR) are used for filtering out unwanted ‘noise’. An exception could be C4 & C6, which may be used to smooth out the pulse triggering the SCR (SCRR & SCRL). |
CL & CR |
used to store the charge that is dissipated through the coils to create the spark |
SCRL & SCRR |
used to ground CL & CR so that charge can be dissipated through the coils |
D6 & D7 |
used to allow negative pulses allowed by the Blue wire resistor/diode network to goto ground? |
SCRP |
possibly used to send the triggering pulse to ground so as to keep the rpms below a certain point (rev limiter) |
Section II: The Prototypes
Prototype 1:
Part # |
# |
Description |
Price $US |
Totals |
---|---|---|---|---|
P5873-ND |
2 |
2.2microF Radial Caps |
$0.87 |
$1.74 |
E4473-ND |
6 |
.047microF Metal Poly Caps |
$0.50 |
$3.00 |
E4153-ND |
2 |
.015microF Metal Poly Caps |
$0.43 |
$0.86 |
470QBK-ND |
10 |
Resistor 470Ohm 1/4Watt Carbon Film |
$0.06 |
$0.56 |
680QBK-ND |
10 |
Resistor 680Ohm 1/4Watt Carbon Film |
$0.06 |
$0.56 |
390QBK-ND |
10 |
Resistor 390Ohm 1/4Watt Carbon Film |
$0.06 |
$0.56 |
2.7MH-ND |
5 |
Resistor 2.7MOhm 1/2Watt Carbon |
$0.06 |
$0.27 |
1N4004GICT-ND |
20 |
Rectifier 1A 400V DO-41 |
$0.04 |
$0.80 |
S4008V-ND |
2 |
SCR Non-Sensitive Gate 400V 8A TO-251AA |
$0.77 |
$1.54 |
3306P-103-ND |
2 |
10kOhm 6mm RD CERM ST POT |
$0.57 |
$1.14 |
|
|
|
Total |
$11.03 |
|
|
|
Handling Charges |
$5.00 |
|
|
|
Shipping |
$4.00 |
|
|
|
Total Invoice |
$20.03 |
I eventually swapped the 10kOhm ceramic pot for a 2kOhm variable resistor. The 10kOhm worked fine, but I wanted to use something smaller.
The wires I used for the prototypes was either 20 or 22gauge solid wire. In fact that is the wire I have been using through this whole process and it seems to work fine. The connectors I use are the standard automotive type and they work as well.
A PCB kit from your local Radio Shack is about 15.00$US and it has most of what you need. The only other thing you might want to get is a set of Radio Shack's stencils for making the diagram/layout on the PCB. They're realitively cheap and make a MUCH better/cleaner board.
There is also the cost of the soldering iron and solder. If you've never soldered before then you need to search on the internet for some sort of tutorial. There are some out there, that's how I learned...that and practice.