You've got me on the 16v system too, I really don't see the point other than to rule out any possible handicaps in an electrical system.  Seems to me if you have a properly functioning 12v system that was giving maximum spark in the first place, then you'd probably find the system as a whole is in working order.

The axle argument was well made last night too, but I'm glad they're not mandatory yet, I really think that's overkill, especially for someone like me just entering the class on a limited budget.  I'll definitely be running a C-clip eliminator on the R/R though.  People have scared me enough.

the axle discussion was valid but to use what happened at Flamboro as an example where they have the pit stands a few feet from the outside wall of the track and allow little kids in the pits is ridiculous.....of course accidents can happen but Delaware keeps the fans a safe distance for just about every foreseeable scenario

Ernie I'm getting lost in your explination. The increased voltage over comes the resistance of the coil faster thereby saturating the coil quicker and completely. This should give you more energy available at the plug. The saturation effects the duration of the spark does it not? The increased voltage is increased energy stored in the coil which produces a hotter spark. old points systems could only make 15,000 volts cause they ran on 9 volts, the bypass resistor wire hit the ignition circuit with a full 12volts to get the engine started. Ignition power was deminished through the ballast resistor to gain ignition point life. I'm not going to tell you I'm an electronics egineer but I think i get the jist of it.

Ernie I'm getting lost in your explination. The increased voltage over comes the resistance of the coil faster thereby saturating the coil quicker and completely. This should give you more energy avaialble at the plug. the saturation effects the duration of the spark does it not?

Hey guys try this one on for size the alternator does not charge the battery it is there for the soul purpose of maintaining the capacity level of the battery. Most alternators function at about 2/3 of their rated output. It is the alternator that runs the show when you use one. A Delco 1 wire CS130 alternator will turn on quicker at lower rpm than a mini Nippondenso. You increase the amperage by changing stators in the alternator it's the amps that does the job. You can have an almost dead battery register 12 volts not much good for anything. 

What Ernie is explaining is the same as an AVR test Amps/Volts/Resistance (kinda). I can break it down a little easier, with this explanation. A teacher of mine in high school showed us this as an easier way understand electrical current.

Pretend voltage is a horsepower rating, and amps are torque. You can have a 2 stroke weed wacker state it has 5HP but 1 ft. LBS of torque.
Then you grab a 5HP lawn mower, that has 10ft. LBS of torque. You wouldn't use the weed wacker to cut thick grass, but definitely the lawnmower.

Almost the same rules apply for electricity.  I can divide it up for you. If you have a 16volt system running at 12 amps, with a value of .80 resistance (A number can calculated by wire type, plugs, rotor, 1 or zero being best, but I will use a fraction to make it easy)

And a 12volt system pulling 12 amps at .80..... multiply just the first two, then divide by the third.

The 16 volt has a value of 240

The 12 volt has a lower value of 180

You are probably wondering what does all this mean, but the bottom line is, the higher the end value.... the higher the spark.

If you are running MSD, they love 16 volts, will tear your fingers off.

So in layman's terms, IF you were nutty enough to try it.... you could get zapped by your spark plug wires for a good few seconds and not die (you may cook yourself awesomely). But grabbing 110 for a few seconds is likely to get you a trip to the morgue.

Being both are AC current (yes the ignition coil turns DC current into AC because it's a winding), you can rule out that one Mr. Edison ( a Nerd joke from electronics class).

Household current is 110, 15-30 amps depending pulsing at 50-72 Hz (most are regulated to 60). That is the amount of times AC current changes direction in a second (yes it goes back and forth unlike DC). Your ignition system does the same thing. An MSD box pulses ridiculously fast (anywhere from 90 to 300), so these boxes love high voltage (voltage being speed or back to the 2stroke thingy).

With a 12 volt system, we all know they charge anywhere (with alt running) 13.2-14.4 volts. A standard rewound alt with a 16 is 16.4-17.6 volts. So I can see why an unprotected limiter, got burned out.

So now that I have let my Eggheadedness out of the box, I needs to find more beer before my wife finds out I actually can think. Hope that explains a little more to you guys.