From the Unsolicited & Potentially Useless Information Department: from years ago in electronics school, I remember a good example about the differences with the terms used to describe energy, and the differences between peak energy versus useful energy.

Imagine your car broken down by the side of the road. Not a Jag, of course, as they never fail, but some other unspecified brand. You need to push the car a short distance to a safe spot. Lo and behold, a linebackers' convention is in town, and 3 burly men happen by and kindly offer their assistance.

Which of the following would you prefer?:

A) The linebackers line up behind your car and push? The car moves easily ahead.

B) The linebackers step back 20 paces and ram into your car as fast as they can run? The car barely moves, your trunk lid is dented, and three guys have broken shoulders.

A is an example of useful energy, delivered when and where it is needed. B is an example of peak energy, with everything delivered all at once. B actually has more energy overall, as it also involves the kinetic energy of the linebackers running, but is far less practical.

Spark ignition systems can be like that. A good spark often needs to last longer than just the initial burst. With modern lean mixtures, a brief initial burst may not be enough to keep things going. Same thing with resistor plugs. The extra resistance isn't necessarily for RF suppression to limit radio static. It also helps create a longer lasting, more useful spark.

So how this relates to the question at hand, it's all subjective. Just beware of peak voltage mentioned in advertising. It's not always a helpful measurement.

 

All it has to do is jump a spark to ignite the fuel mixture. Pure energy - Spock - Gene Roddenberry - marketing - people wasting money - people rationalizing spending too much on parts - people unwilling to admit mistakes - pure energy.

 

So, what IS it you're smoking in so many of your posts????