---------------------------------------------------------- Engines-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Wed 09/10/03: 1 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 07:50 AM - Re: Question about electronic ignition (John Swartout) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 07:50:51 AM PST US From: "John Swartout" Subject: RE: Engines-List: Question about electronic ignition --> Engines-List message posted by: "John Swartout" 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" 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" 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