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Electronic ignition reliability

 
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bicyclop(at)pacbell.net
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PostPosted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 9:05 am    Post subject: Electronic ignition reliability Reply with quote

Thanks for the tip, Jim. I've been following them for some time. Sounds
like they have most of their reliability problems solved, but only time
will tell on that one. I'm happy that you and others are doing the beta
testing. I hope that they prove, long term, to be the great ignitions
that they look as if they should be. I try to keep an open mind.

I've got almost 4 years and 350 hrs behind the Lightspeed and a thousand
hours on the engine, so equipped. A lot of people I know have more time
than that on them. So far, that's my choice. One thing I like about them
is that the magnet position is fixed on the flywheel and the unit will
always get a timing signal that has a direct relationship to the
crankshaft position. I suppose that what it does with that info, re:
advance, could go haywire, but I've never heard of one report to that
effect in the 15 years they've been out there. Another thing I like is
that they have an aggressive advance profile which helps with economy,
but I've never had any issues with detonation, even though I lean early
and often.

Disclosure: I have performed some maintenance on the Lightspeed. At
about 800 hrs, I replaced the coils, one of which didn't meet the
resistance spec of the manufacturer. I replaced the spark plug wires,
to be proactive. The timing, when checked at annual, has always been
spot on. I replace the plugs at every annual, even though they don't
look like they need it. The original Plasma I ignition (which this one
is) had an issue with a power transformer running hot. I opened ours and
it looked a little scorched, so I had it replaced by Klaus over at
Lightspeed with the current version. I also enlarged the air hole and
put a larger avionics fan on it and it runs much cooler now.

How many hours do you have on yours, so far? Do you have the latest
magnet retention upgrade? I, for one, would be pleased to hear
longevity/service difficulty reports as time goes on. More info is
better info.

Pax,

Ed Holyoke

James H Nelson wrote:
Quote:


Ed,
Consider having a E-Mag air "P-Mag" as at least one of the
ignition sources. That requires no outside source of power after
starting. I have two of them on my Rv. They are great.
Jim
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rv9jim(at)juno.com
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 8:38 am    Post subject: Electronic ignition reliability Reply with quote

Hi Ed
I'm just a new one. I've only got 20 hours on the bird since new
and I have upgraded the ignition units at every opportunity. I was going
to use the Light speed ign. units but went with the E-Magair system.
Time will tell but I'm very happy with the service and so far zero
problems. Since they are going for certification for regular aircraft,
they are not going to be a fly by night supplier. There are some units
out there with a lot more time than mine naturally. I am not sure who
has the greatest time but I would not be surprised if it were over 500
hours.
Jim
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frank.hinde(at)hp.com
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:54 am    Post subject: Electronic ignition reliability Reply with quote

Yeah I got about 300 on mine and there were some early problems but I think they have those licked now.

Frank
RV7a IO360 (mogas with 10% ETOH)

no.com>

Hi Ed
I'm just a new one. I've only got 20 hours on the bird since new and I have upgraded the ignition units at every opportunity. I was going to use the Light speed ign. units but went with the E-Magair system.
Time will tell but I'm very happy with the service and so far zero problems. Since they are going for certification for regular aircraft,
they are not going to be a fly by night supplier. There are some units
out there with a lot more time than mine naturally. I am not sure who has the greatest time but I would not be surprised if it were over 500 hours.
Jim


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rv9jim(at)juno.com
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:01 pm    Post subject: Electronic ignition reliability Reply with quote

Frank,
Which injection unit are you using. I also have an IO-360 and
AFP injection and would like to use mogas but with the ethanol issue, I
have not been anxious to try it.

Jim
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frank.hinde(at)hp.com
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 2:27 pm    Post subject: Electronic ignition reliability Reply with quote

I am using the AFP unit which is compatible with 100% and any mixture therof.

I also built a vapour lock proof fuel system in that both of my electric fuel pumps are in the wingroots..If you do a search under the username "Frankh" at www.vansairforce.net you will see how I built it.

The problem areas will be the fuel drain O rings (easily swapped to florosilicone), the viton fuel cap oring (I fly negative G acro and so far seems to be fine but also easily swapped) and the meachanical fuel pump..As I don't have a mechanical fuel pump that issue solved itself.

There is rumour the mech fuel pump diaphram won't like ethanol but I have no way to prove this one way or the other.

Frank
RV7a IO360, with 10%ETOH

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