funny my old one just died and was looking at this one to buy. did a quick search on here for a review and you were the first one to show up on my list.
I carry 3 strobes with me on my daily work. The Innova 5568a is my general 'go to' for perhaps 90% of the time. In general it's a great strobe, but all be it very slight, it does have a few of negatives. I do find that on certain unstable ignition systems it can 'play up' but that in its self is almost a diagnostic to prove that there is an electrical issue some where....(such as a cheap and nasty alternator for example, and you may see it flashing up 7000rpm at idle, with spark scatter). In which case I then switch to one of my other strobes with a manually operated retard function, to reduce the visual spark scatter. The second downside, is also at times a positive too..... the leads are pretty long and can get into a birds nest very easily. But as said the length can also become very useful for car types when the ignition timing marks are beneath the car and the extra cable length is needed (Old Jaguars being a great example). The final thing is that for some engine configurations the induction connector can be very near the exhaust manifold, so take care to keep checking on the induction connector and give it a cool down period if needed....because they do burn and they do warp. Also worthy of note is that there is pretty much no product support available in the UK, but support is given from overseas and replacement parts can be a bit pricey too. Overall though a great bit of kit!!
Ordering one from Amazon. Ordering the powerspark dizzy and leads today also, to go with my 0.7ohm coil. Only discovered this channel recently. Costing me a fortune! Haha Thanks for the review and videos.
Just bought one, so was a bit nervous about your review. But sounds like it will work out okay. Looking forward getting some readings on my cooper from 1991.
Nice video and the timing light looks a nice piece of kit (although the crimping on the lead's strain relief didn't look to secure) unfortunately it's a bit too complex for my needs. I've always used a simple 'flash on spark' type of light, the one I have at the moment is mains powered and probably 50 years old so getting a bit knocked about, bought a new one but in typical chinesium fashion it only seemed to have a handful of flashes installed so failed very quickly. Looking at the way these work I'm assuming the flash is delayed and you set that delay until your TDC mark lines up the unit then works out the timing angle using the RPM input? The problem I have with that is that my setup is wasted spark so I'm going to get two flashes on the plug lead per engine cycle and I'm guessing this will confuse the unit. Also may of the other functions I have covered by other systems or are not relevant to me (dwell for instance). Do you have any recommendations for a decent quality 'flash on fire' type of light?
Nice review. Can you tell us where on the fuse box you connected to +12volts? Also, most timing light instructions state to use an external battery, not one running the engine. I have not found using the car battery to be an issue, but is it something to be concerned about?
No concern, there is less electrical noise when using a separate battery. Use the connection on the fuse box which is ignition live, and a classic mini this is the connection that has the white colour wire attached to it.
Professional usage as a classic car tuner and I'm on my second inductance lead. First snapped near the pick up from fatigue and wear. Replacement pick up leads aheady starting to wear inside the inductor clamp after only 6 months....... Reported it to Innova, here is there response.....'Unfortunately, there is no warranty period on the cable within the clamp.'. Not a great approach to confidence in their quality.
gr8 videos..can I use a viper vcs dry ignition coil which replaces lucas dlb 105 non ballast on a standard 1993 mini sprite electronic ignition..many thanks
How does the advance function in the timing light work mate? I see you can adjust the timing from in the timing light, but how does that work? What’s that function used for? I guess You’d still have to turn the distributor to adjust the timing?
It does not alter the timing, it simply allows you to measure the timing accurately. It’s super handy for checking the timing higher in the rev range especially when using vacuum, as you are looking figures in the 30 to 50 degree range, which timing marks are not provided. It also allows you to accurately measure the timing against rpm. Decent timing lights like this one also have a smoothing circuit function that allows easier reading of the flashes.
Thanks for the review mate. To be frank, I can't stand that the leads are removable. I've had 5 different brands of timing lights, all had removable leads, and that was the reason they all ended up in the bin. The damn plug stops making connection, rendering the entire device useless.
Hi, I’ve just bought the innova 5568 from amazon and my light is almost to dull to see (yes I switched the light on 🤣) am I doing something wrong or do I have dud? Thanks 👍
I set it to 4cylnder, and 0 degree,... checks ok.. then if I need to check it at 18 degreed, I just move it up to 18 and it adjust the light accordingly?
@ACDodd OK thank you, I'm fixing to re-time my 1987 Monte Carlo SS and have only seen my dad do it as a kid... LMAO infact I murdered his timing light unknowingly when I was probably 10 years old found a way to plug it into the wall 😆😆 I told him recently and said he could have mine if he wanted he said no I'll just use yours if I need it. ( Maybe code for I'm gonna plug it into a wall 😆😆)
@@ACDodd ok thanks for that. I'm guessing with a 123 electronic dizzy i wouldn't need this then? Just ordered the Innova as well. Thanks for the recommendation
@@ACDodd just received mine in the mail today! Was wondering if i need to use the green cable on the neg side of the coil for normal advance checking? or is this cable/clamp only used for checking dwell angle? thanks
funny my old one just died and was looking at this one to buy. did a quick search on here for a review and you were the first one to show up on my list.
Cool!
I've got one at work that has survived years of being abused at a garage! Great bit of kit
I carry 3 strobes with me on my daily work. The Innova 5568a is my general 'go to' for perhaps 90% of the time. In general it's a great strobe, but all be it very slight, it does have a few of negatives. I do find that on certain unstable ignition systems it can 'play up' but that in its self is almost a diagnostic to prove that there is an electrical issue some where....(such as a cheap and nasty alternator for example, and you may see it flashing up 7000rpm at idle, with spark scatter). In which case I then switch to one of my other strobes with a manually operated retard function, to reduce the visual spark scatter. The second downside, is also at times a positive too..... the leads are pretty long and can get into a birds nest very easily. But as said the length can also become very useful for car types when the ignition timing marks are beneath the car and the extra cable length is needed (Old Jaguars being a great example). The final thing is that for some engine configurations the induction connector can be very near the exhaust manifold, so take care to keep checking on the induction connector and give it a cool down period if needed....because they do burn and they do warp. Also worthy of note is that there is pretty much no product support available in the UK, but support is given from overseas and replacement parts can be a bit pricey too. Overall though a great bit of kit!!
Excellent review, great timing as I am looking to buy one. Thanks for taking the time to share. Cheers
Ordering one from Amazon.
Ordering the powerspark dizzy and leads today also, to go with my 0.7ohm coil.
Only discovered this channel recently.
Costing me a fortune! Haha
Thanks for the review and videos.
Great review! Thanks for posting. I'm going to buy this light today.
Glad you like it!
awesome review! I just got one myself and can't wait to use it to dial in the mechanical advancement on my 87 CRX :)
Love the cat at 0:33😼
ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOM
nice to see all the functions i just got mine from amazon and i was not using it properly , now i know. thanks! good content
Glad I was able to help
Thank you for the review it was great this light has toolpro branding on it in Australia so I will be getting one
Thank you for a great review. I have learned through many years of buying tools, do your homework. I know own a Innova 5568@👍👍
The conductor pivot broke on mine twice ...... other that that i do like it . At the moment i tape the spark plug conductor over the wire .
Just bought one, so was a bit nervous about your review. But sounds like it will work out okay. Looking forward getting some readings on my cooper from 1991.
Certainly the one I have is an excellent piece of kit and I like better than the snap on ones I have been using!
@@ACDodd Thanks for the review. Which features set this apart from the Snapon timing light you have?
@@4272005 this one has a dwell meter and a zero function a volt meter, I also think it’s a slightly smoother than the older snap on light I use.
Nice video and the timing light looks a nice piece of kit (although the crimping on the lead's strain relief didn't look to secure) unfortunately it's a bit too complex for my needs.
I've always used a simple 'flash on spark' type of light, the one I have at the moment is mains powered and probably 50 years old so getting a bit knocked about, bought a new one but in typical chinesium fashion it only seemed to have a handful of flashes installed so failed very quickly.
Looking at the way these work I'm assuming the flash is delayed and you set that delay until your TDC mark lines up the unit then works out the timing angle using the RPM input?
The problem I have with that is that my setup is wasted spark so I'm going to get two flashes on the plug lead per engine cycle and I'm guessing this will confuse the unit.
Also may of the other functions I have covered by other systems or are not relevant to me (dwell for instance).
Do you have any recommendations for a decent quality 'flash on fire' type of light?
No, I only tested these ones I did the videos, on out these the 5568 is the only one that worked properly.
You convinced me, I bought one to replace a Gunson. The turning knob to adjust timing wasn't great.
I hope it serves you well
I have the same one and I actually love it!
good video , need one of these as a replacement for my accuspark which is terrible
great review - looks like a proper item
It certainly is
Nice review. Can you tell us where on the fuse box you connected to +12volts? Also, most timing light instructions state to use an external battery, not one running the engine. I have not found using the car battery to be an issue, but is it something to be concerned about?
No concern, there is less electrical noise when using a separate battery. Use the connection on the fuse box which is ignition live, and a classic mini this is the connection that has the white colour wire attached to it.
Thorough review.
innova make great quality stuff , Ive a few lights made by them , and they just keep working.
Professional usage as a classic car tuner and I'm on my second inductance lead. First snapped near the pick up from fatigue and wear. Replacement pick up leads aheady starting to wear inside the inductor clamp after only 6 months....... Reported it to Innova, here is there response.....'Unfortunately, there is no warranty period on the cable within the clamp.'. Not a great approach to confidence in their quality.
Good to know
Great video
the directions say to connect the timing light before starting the engine.
gr8 videos..can I use a viper vcs dry ignition coil which replaces lucas dlb 105 non ballast on a standard 1993 mini sprite electronic ignition..many thanks
The correct viper coil is the Viper VCE.
@@ACDodd gr8 always on hand many thanks keep up informative videos
How does the advance function in the timing light work mate?
I see you can adjust the timing from in the timing light, but how does that work? What’s that function used for?
I guess You’d still have to turn the distributor to adjust the timing?
Adjust the distributor manually I mean to say.
It does not alter the timing, it simply allows you to measure the timing accurately. It’s super handy for checking the timing higher in the rev range especially when using vacuum, as you are looking figures in the 30 to 50 degree range, which timing marks are not provided. It also allows you to accurately measure the timing against rpm. Decent timing lights like this one also have a smoothing circuit function that allows easier reading of the flashes.
Hi there, do you know if this model can be used on my positive earth Morris minors.
Thanks
Merry Christmas 🎄
I would use a slave battery, which is exactly what I do when tuning
@@ACDodd do pos earth systems need a different approach to timing.with a light? great review btw
were is the best place to buy one in UK cheers all sites i can find are all US
I got mine from amazon
where can i buy this model in uk? I can't find who sells this product.
I bought off Amazon, it was shipped from the USA
Can i use on single cylinder engine please let know
I have not tried that, but it should work using a slave battery
Thanks for the review mate. To be frank, I can't stand that the leads are removable. I've had 5 different brands of timing lights, all had removable leads, and that was the reason they all ended up in the bin. The damn plug stops making connection, rendering the entire device useless.
I have also had broken wires in the units without plugs. The answer is we need to handle timing lights with care to maximise life.
Hi, I’ve just bought the innova 5568 from amazon and my light is almost to dull to see (yes I switched the light on 🤣) am I doing something wrong or do I have dud? Thanks 👍
Hi there, use a slave battery and see if it improves. If not return it.
@@ACDoddthanks 👍 just tried that, still the same… could it be the pick up???
@@mcmotors100 send it back
I set it to 4cylnder, and 0 degree,... checks ok.. then if I need to check it at 18 degreed, I just move it up to 18 and it adjust the light accordingly?
Have you read the instructions with the timing light?
@ACDodd yes.. I set the gun accordingly to it. I'm working on a honda d16. I set the gun to 4clinder. 4 cycle and 0 degrees..
Is the green clip also just a ground?
The 4th clip connects to the negative of the coil to give you dwell readings
@ACDodd so I wouldn't need to use it on an HEI? My coil isn't like the one in the video.
Edit: and thank you for the response.
@@Wbroach24 dwell is usually used for contact breaker type systems
@ACDodd OK thank you, I'm fixing to re-time my 1987 Monte Carlo SS and have only seen my dad do it as a kid... LMAO infact I murdered his timing light unknowingly when I was probably 10 years old found a way to plug it into the wall 😆😆 I told him recently and said he could have mine if he wanted he said no I'll just use yours if I need it. ( Maybe code for I'm gonna plug it into a wall 😆😆)
What is the dwell angle used for?
The dwell angle is an electrical measurment of the coil charge time and is directly related to the points gap
@@ACDodd ok thanks for that. I'm guessing with a 123 electronic dizzy i wouldn't need this then? Just ordered the Innova as well. Thanks for the recommendation
@@luismeixner2125 dwell function is a very handy addition it is essential when working out what type of coil to fit
@@ACDodd just received mine in the mail today!
Was wondering if i need to use the green cable on the neg side of the coil for normal advance checking? or is this cable/clamp only used for checking dwell angle? thanks
@@luismeixner2125 green for dwell only
Will it work with 24v?
No, I use a slave battery for those applications.
Sold take my 100 dollars 💸 😂