Go Back  RCU Forums > Glow Engines, Gas Engines, Fuel & Mfg Support Forums > Gas Engines
Reload this Page >

Copperhead Aviation Ignition system

Notices
Gas Engines Questions or comments about gas engines can be posted here

Copperhead Aviation Ignition system

Old 08-19-2017, 11:05 AM
  #1  
jwrich
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (17)
 
jwrich's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Enid, OK
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 9 Posts
Default Copperhead Aviation Ignition system

I bought an airplane from an estate sell and it has a Zenoah 26 with an Copperhead Aviation ignition system. On the ignition box it says 4.8 to 6 volts for the battery. My question is can I use LiFe (A123) battery with this system? It I also dated 2007. I did test it with a 4.8 battery and I got a good spark. This was former old club member who did take care of his airplanes, engines and radio equipment.

Thanks
Rich
Old 08-19-2017, 07:32 PM
  #2  
Truckracer
My Feedback: (19)
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 5,335
Received 43 Likes on 42 Posts
Default

The Copperhead ignition was just a rebranded RCexl ignition. Some of those early ignitions preferred to run at the lower voltage so I would question whether the use of a A123 battery connected straight would be the best thing for the ignition. If it were mine, I'd use the A123 battery but would use a single voltage dropping diode in series with the + battery lead. This was common practice a few years back. Wrong Way RC still sells these diode / cable assemblies or you can make your own. Very low cost and any worries of over voltage damage go away.
Old 08-20-2017, 05:15 AM
  #3  
jwrich
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (17)
 
jwrich's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Enid, OK
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 9 Posts
Default

Thanks for the advice, I'll contact Wrong Way RC.

Rich
Old 08-21-2017, 10:59 AM
  #4  
av8tor1977
My Feedback: (6)
 
av8tor1977's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 7,217
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

It's a 1N004 diode that you use. Each diode drops the voltage by .7 volt. With a 6.6 volt pack I myself would use 2 of them in series because that pack is a good bit over 6.6 volts when charged, and even after being used for a while. (The ignition only draws 300 ma, (.3 amp). Your ignition will thank you for the kind treatment. These ignitions have been shown to give good spark with only a 1 cell Lipoly at 3.7 volts.

Look online for the diodes. Digikey, Mouser, etc. will have them. .25 cents each?? Don't know 'cause it's been a long time, but they're cheap.

AV8TOR
Old 08-22-2017, 02:44 PM
  #5  
jwrich
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (17)
 
jwrich's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Enid, OK
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 9 Posts
Default

I know this is a dumb question, but where would the diodes go? Between the switch and the battery, on the ignition or on the battery lead. I am dumb as dirt when it come to electronics, I seem to have a mental block. This sounds like what I should do.

Thanks for the advice
Rich
Old 08-22-2017, 07:57 PM
  #6  
av8tor1977
My Feedback: (6)
 
av8tor1977's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 7,217
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

They go inline between the battery and the switch in just one of the battery wires. It doesn't matter which wire; either the red or the black. (Positive or negative.)

Let's assume you have a battery pack with the red and black wires coming out, without a connector. You would solder the one lead of the diode to (for example), the red wire. Then you would then have the black battery lead, and the remaining diode lead. These would hook up to a standard battery connector. Remember though, the diode has polarity, it will only flow electrical current in one direction so you have to check to make sure you have it wired up correctly.

This all needs done with perfect solder joints, protection with heat shrink tubing, etc., as the results of a failure would be catastrophic. You might be much better off to buy a pre-wired setup from Wrongway RC.

AV8TOR

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.