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1. 07:50 AM - Re: Question about electronic ignition (John Swartout)
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| Subject: | Question about electronic ignition |
--> Engines-List message posted by: "John Swartout" <jgswartout@earthlink.net>
Dear Bob,
Thank you for the thoughtful reply. I read the caf foundation papers
on EI a few months ago. I realize that their best advantage comes at
altitude, where I will not be flying much. What I am most interested in
is whether they are reliable--that is, prone to failure anymore than
magnetos are. I've already decided I am going to fly with electronic
ignition, I just don't have any basis on which to decide whether
Lightspeed or ElectroAir is the better value/product. Perhaps it's Coke
vs. Pepsi. Tastes great, less filling.
Anyway, I'm looking for opinions, and I value yours. Thanks for
offering it.
John
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-engines-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-engines-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Bob
Buckthal
Subject: RE: Engines-List: Question about electronic ignition
--> Engines-List message posted by: "Bob Buckthal" <n223b@comcast.net>
John,
Most of the information you are looking for is on the web at
www.cafefoundation.org/research.htm. Although their research compares
electronic ignition with magnetos the data is still telling. The
mission
that you have selected for your airplane is the key. If you intend to
fly
low and fast, developing the maximum horsepower then there is little
advantage to E.I. However, If you live in the west where you'll need
to
cross big mountains or if you plan to travel long distances and fuel
economy
is a major consideration then E. I. will produce better performance
because
it optimizes ignition timing at low manifold pressures and/or lean
mixtures.
I fly in the west and I use my IO360 powered Glasair for long distance
travel. I don't mind slowing down in order to save fuel and extend
range.
I selected the Lightspeed Plasma I because it produces 5 times the spark
duration and 5 times the spark energy of a Plasma II. All this extra
energy
will ignite leaner mixtures at lower manifold pressures. My engine came
fuel injected. With some manipulation of the injectors I've been able
to
achieve very even running of each cyl which with E.I. allows me to
cruise at
over 100F lean of peak EGTs. At 150 to 160 Kts TAS I usually see 25 MPG
fuel economy in a 2100LB gross wt airplane. I don't have any experience
with the Electroair E.I.(Jeff Rose). But I am extremely pleased with my
Plasma I.
While the C.A.F.E. test airplane is not fuel injected, they have spent
countless hours in matching the intake runners to produce even airflow
to
each cyl. It is the even airflow and therefore the matching performance
of
each cyl that enables the E.I. to produce the improvements in fuel
economy
at altitude. It is my experience that it is extremely unlikely that a
carbureted engine will have anywhere near matched performance of each
cyl.
With a E.I. your carbureted engine will start better and run smoother,
but I
don't think you'll get much improvement in fuel economy.
I think the challenge for homebuilders in the future is not to produce
faster airplanes but rather to produce better fuel efficiency. To
better
understand some of the ways to get that fuel burn down read John Deakins
series of columns on how to operate airplane engines. They're at
www.avweb.com.
Good luck with your decision and with your new airplane.
Bob
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-engines-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-engines-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of John
Swartout
Subject: Engines-List: Question about electronic ignition
--> Engines-List message posted by: "John Swartout"
<jgswartout@earthlink.net>
As with most decisions in airplane building, I have a choice to make and
have no solid basis for making the decision. I just ordered a Teledyne
Mattituck Services TMX-360 carbureted ECI kit engine. I'm going to
install dual electronic ignition, and leaning towards Jeff Rose's
Electroair ignition over Klaus Savier's Lightspeed Plasma II. There are
differences, and each will claim his version is better. Any users of
these systems care to weigh in here? Thanks for the help.
John
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