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  #1  
Old 08-31-2013, 10:15 PM
SHIPCHIEF SHIPCHIEF is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,412
Default Any Home Built Ignition Systems?

I was thinking that all the ignition systems had a starting point. Even the magneto system we are moving away from began with an idea.
So I was wondering if there is an automotive or industrial distributor that fits in a Lycoming Magneto drive pad and mates the gear properly? Or one that can be modified to fit without too much work?
The mag drive turns 1:1 with the crankshaft, so a 4 cylinder distributor would work in a 4 cylinder Lycoming, sparking each cylinder in the "wasted spark" style.
The reason I ask, is because I recently rebuilt the distributor for my tractor that I use when mowing the runway. I installed a Pertronix igniter kit with industrial coil, and it works very well, firing the plugs even when the battery is so weak it will barely turn the engine.
For aircraft use, a distributor with a mechanical advance would replace an impulse coupled mag.
Cessna 195s and Republic Seabees came new with one mag and one distributor. My friend with a stock Seabee says his looks like a Ford truck distributor from the 1950s.
My Ironhead Sportster has the Dyna S ignition, which, like the Pertronix is a simple switch amplifier set that fires the 2 coils. It does not have a computer, uses a mechanical advance and is bone head simple.
This won't have the potential efficiency of the newer electronic ignitions, but maybe greater reliability due to low parts count, both mechanically and electronically?
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EAA 668340, chapter 326 & IAC chapter 67
RV-8 N89SE first flight 12/26/2013
Yak55M, and the wife has an RV-4
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  #2  
Old 09-01-2013, 10:13 AM
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walkman walkman is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 875
Default Plenty in the automotive world

There are plenty in the automotive world, especially the racer world.

In fact that is where the SDS ignition that EFII comes from.

I was looking at replacing the K-Jetronic with Lambda system on my 911 at one point with a home brew system.

They are totally programmable, MUST be programmed as it won't work out of the box, and programming it is not an insignificant level of work.

But why bother? It will probably be more expensive, highly time consuming, and give you poorer results than buying something ready to go. I recommend the EFII ignition personally.
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  #3  
Old 09-01-2013, 05:09 PM
SHIPCHIEF SHIPCHIEF is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,412
Default

I'm thinking some one knows about a distributor from some 1940's industrial engine that fits right in. Add a Hall Effect pickup, and adjust the spring rate on the mechanical advance. Add back up power with a LiFePO4 battery.
I'm just thinking outside the box. Reliable ignition should cost $300, not $1200.
Full on electronic ignition with RPM advance and load adjust IS worth more.
I'm just sayin' a simple compromise between a mag and the latest & greatest is possible.
__________________
Scott Emery
http://gallery.eaa326.org/v/members/semery/
EAA 668340, chapter 326 & IAC chapter 67
RV-8 N89SE first flight 12/26/2013
Yak55M, and the wife has an RV-4
There is nothing-absolute nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing around with Aeroplanes
(with apologies to Ratty)
2019
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