Warning-
Do not accidentally hook the + cable to the wrong (ie dizzy) side of the coil when looking for a 12V feed. When you crank the engine, the timing light will go BANG.
This happened coz my mate's car had no other easy way to get to 12V+, and I picked the wrong coil terminal. His car has a Gemini starter and all the connections covered.

So I've just bought another (innova 3568).
In future I will use my spare 12V battery for powering it.

[edit] bought here-
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Innova-Digit ... 3aaed16a73

[edit 2] I pulled the old one apart, nothing obvious is burnt. I will keep it for parts (display, strobe lamp, cables).

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Yes, I always use a spare battery if it's a Mini or the battery's in the boot.

BTW Dial back timing lights do not work with MSD type CDI ignition systems - the multiple sparks interfere with the light and cause them to be inaccurate.They will usually be off by 4 or 5 degrees at 36 degrees advance. MSD recommend using a 'bare-bones' indictive light and even then you might want to isolate the power supply to the light by utilizing a spare battery or another car pulled up along side your vehicle to power the timing light.

_________________
Slide
1965 Mini Van (1360)
1970 Mk2 Cooper S (1310)
1978 Rover SD1 V8 (4.6)
1996 Land Rover Discovery V8 (4.0)

That's a bugger Kev , i'm sure that would of pi$$ed you no end ,anytime that i've used my timing light i have connected it to main battery pole on the solenoid and clip the earth to the earth strap .

All good, the car's owner is going me halves.

Whoever fitted his Gemini starter has wired it direct, they didn't keep the Lucas solenoid up top like most folks do.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.