Sure I would like to see that. Any thing that takes a lower input signal and modulates a higher output is an amplifier. The PTU is there to handle larger current flow then then ECU outputs could handle, the isolation is an as well not the primary reason.
For gods sake. It is a bit of resin with 6 thick film transistors in it. Havent you guys had one apart? They are dumb as dog shit and are only switching for as long as the ECU is telling it. There's no smarts or dwell extension built or programmed into it.. You could make a replacement PTU with 6 suitable transistors from JAYCAR !! Don't believe me ??? pull a series 1 PTU apart and have a look yourself. A transistor by definition is a component that can be used in analogue mode as an amplifier or it can be used as a switch when used in saturation mode. In the Z32 PTU.......IT'S A SWITCH It controls the flow of current into the coil to fire the plug...By switching the current supplied from the battery FAST to create a steep switching profile which the coil uses to fire the plug.... Its the rate of change of the voltage out of the PTU that gives the coil its dwell time. That's why they use transistors or FETS for this as they switch faster than a set of points and induce more power in the coil windings.. It aint HARD to grasp this.
No it isn't that hard and its about splitting hairs so I wonder why you guys a loosing the plot over it, you guys smack of "reading it off the back of the pack" with no real understanding, you seem more intent on "you know boats" then anything. The PTU is amplifying the ECU outputs, yes it is switching current to do that, but there was considerable work been done to match the dwell, PTU, coils and spark plugs to get the optimal spark with reliability. No Nissan didn't **** this up as well. The networks within the PTU are design specifically for the job, no doubt you can slap something together out of a parts bin but I bet it wont perform the same as the OEM PTU. Quiet funny that one of the key words being thrown around through this pointless debacle is "dumb". The OP's question has been answered, seeking to be involved belatedly and having a tantrum about what you know, really becomes about what you dont know.
Ever seen a that picture of a s1 ptu that's been gutted and remade with a fist full of diodes? call that an Amp?
No I don't recall a PTU that had bee remade with diodes, I do recall one that was remade with transistor style packages, resistors and diodes. Here is a definition of amplifier from wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amplifier Here is a image of a simple amplifier. Here is an image from the FSM showing part of the PTU circuit. An amplifier does not have to be complex, you may be thinking of a large piece of equipment with many hundreds of components, so when you look at a PTU you think "that's not an knife" (i mean amplifier. ), but it takes an input and using that to "switch" a higher level output, it is a simple as that. The crazy thing as this is all incredibly "dumb", the problem was an individual saw fit to pounce upon a member and launch into an abusive diatribe to what end I do not know, the funny thing is they are wrong, but with the use of extensive arm waving and an abusive style they seem self satisfied that they have proven a point, I find hard to sit by silently I must admit.
When you actually know what your talking about, feel free to post. until then dont advertise your ignorance on this subject. I know exactly what im talking about and exactly how these particular PTU's operate. it is crystal clear theyou know nothing other than what you have read in an FSM which is the same baloney ECZ is dazzled with. WTF???? How idiotic is this statement??? Did you not read ANYTHING I wrote? Clearly not. Just for you Einstein, the PTU just switches the coil to ground... That stupid little diagramme you posted, at first glance to somebody who knows SFA about the differences between switching and amplification might just think its similar. however its as far remoded from each other as +ive and -ive> WTF part of amplification do you get out of that.... on second thought, dont bother replying as you dont know and will simply blow out your arse again. What a load of codswallop. You know nothing of the design of this simple little item, made aftermarket exactly the same as a legion of other PTU's. LMFAO i can specify a simple little changeover that will outperform the stock system under ALL circumstances. Yes, dumb M8, you are clearly displaying your ignorance on this subject quite clearly to anybody even remotely interested in clicking a few links and enlightening themselves. How about keeping your thinly veiled insults and clearly displayed technical ignorance right away from any technical discussion especially involving ignition and EFI. It makes you look like a right twat. How about leaving the technical discussions to the big kids eh? E
Why do think there is only one resistor in the ptu? its running in saturation mode. the Darlington transistor is not running a bias current like your amp diagram which is a linear amp. the put transistors are biased for switching and are running as a current switch. What voltage is going into the coil? its 12v switched. The ptu supplies it at greatly higher current as the coil has a much lower input impedance which would blow up the ECU if it was used direct. It can't supply the current directly. A real linear amp increases the output voltage and current. The ptu is running as a current source. IE: try to get zapped by the output voltage from a ptu? You cant, cause its 12v. No amplification involved. Its a switching current source controlled by the ECU. Amazing what 4 years of electronic engineering can teach you.........
Dwell is the most likely thing but I don't think it would account for all the claims they make. Seems to solve the problems of people running high boost that have spark problems. I don't think I would consider one unless I had a problem though.
I give up.................. If you cant see its there to supply the high current requirements of the coil Not as a voltage set up device. I cant help you understand.......... You are too damn stubborn.......... Its a high current switch...........
Read this and maybe you will SEE...... http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transistor/tran_4.html http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/blog/darlington-transistor.html These diagrams are ALL Darlington SWITCH circuits. Look familiar ??? They should, many look similar to the PTU internal circuit Diagram. https://www.google.com.au/search?q=pnp+darlington+switch+circuit&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=YPLWUo3hN86jiAepo4Fg&ved=0CDsQsAQ&biw=1311&bih=568#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=GedzhbTrhuNZaM%253A%3BG0XOQPY87l7MZM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.electronics-tutorials.ws%252Farticles%252Fdarl2.gif%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.electronics-tutorials.ws%252Fblog%252Fdarlington-transistor.html%3B486%3B201 Darlington Pairs are used because of the very low amount of base current required to switch them on. Makes life easy for the ECU to be able to drive it directly. The single resistor in the PTU is there to help turn the Darlington off FAST so it minimizes power dissipation in the transistor during the switching interval.
thank you for the input OK, thanks to everyone for the input. My observations of differences in coolant temps between the PTUs, Mitsubishi (USA) sourced and Hitachi (Japan sourced) was made on the highway between Sydney and Brisbane. The weather was 24ish on both days and I was switching between the two PTUs every 2 or 3 hours, because I thought I had a faulty PTU or adapter cable or temp sensor connector. So if no one else has observed differences in the way their cars run with different PTUs (I have read comments about possible better fuel economy and power when switching from S1 to S2) then the differences I think I am observing might mean it is time to change my temp sensor (the plug is cracked too) and a better connection might be the end of those differences.
It might very well be that when removing /replacing PTU plugs, you may be giving the ECU temp sender plug a bit of a tug. its on the same harness. Might have been enough to overcome/cause some resistance change in that wiring. Im speculating here with regards to resistance changes in the ECU temp sender wiring but simply swapping a plain negative side coil switch is not going to alter anything on its own. E
