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Multi-engine Ignition Setup - 8/6/2012 1:49 AM   
dwoolridge


 

Posts: 20
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Joined: 1/12/2002
Last Login: 9/10/2012
From: Fond du Lac, WI, USA
Status: offline 		I have a Don Smith B-17 (138" ) that I plan to install DLE-20's in. I have limited experience with gas engines.

I have a bunch of questions and am hoping someone here might be able to help. I spent over an hour searching the forums and didn't find answers to the following questions...


1) Can two or more ignitions be powered by the same battery? I'm guessing the current draw for an ignition is "spiky" which could make the voltage drop temporarily and miss an ignition cycle on another engine. Can anyone clarify this for me?

2) Does much noise travel down the wires to the ignition battery? I ask this because if I could use a single battery for all 4 ignitions, the battery wires would have to run parallel and near the wing servo wires.

3) Best I can figure out, a separate ignition kill switch is required for each engine? Is this true, or can a single kill switch be used for multiple engines?

4) Is a special switch required for the ignition power, or can a Heavy Duty receiver switch be used? I have no idea how much current an ignition draws.

5) How much current does an ignition draw? How large of a battery (mAh) is needed for an ignition? The DLE instructions recommend 1000mAh, but I don't know if that will give me one flight or 20


Thanks again to anyone who can help!


Doug


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RE: Multi-engine Ignition Setup - 8/6/2012 1:07 PM   
butlern


 

Posts: 1300
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Joined: 5/14/2003
Last Login: 5/23/2013
From: Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Status: offline 		Doug, based on your locale, could you seek some help from Carl Bachuber (spelling)?

Carl must have more experience with giant multi-engined planes than most of the forum followers here.

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RE: Multi-engine Ignition Setup - 8/6/2012 1:09 PM   
butlern


 

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From: Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Status: offline 		But maybe Carl is "old-school" in that he uses engines on magnetos all the time. Just a thought. Good luck.

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RE: Multi-engine Ignition Setup - 8/18/2012 5:11 PM   
tevans55


 

Posts: 922
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Joined: 8/4/2007
Last Login: 5/24/2013
From: Louisville, KY, USA
Status: offline 		I am flying a ESM 95" B-25 with DLE 20's on one ignition battery. My battery is a SR 3500 mAh 5 cell Nicd. I have an ignition switch on each nacelle with charge jack. I can charge battery from either side. The battery is above the nose wheel for balance with two wires running to the nacelle through the wing beside flap, aileron and landing light wires. I am using a Smartfly Power Expander but that does not apply to the ignition battery.

I am using SR batteries NiCd because it does not have to be cycled...they warn against it for their NiCds. I am using servos on my chokes for engine kill rather than optical kill. One switch on my TX operates both chokes. This setup is easy and effective. Running the engines for an hour uses up about 1/3 of the battery capacity. You should have no trouble with a full day of flying without recharging. I never fast charge my batteries. Hope this helps.

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RE: Multi-engine Ignition Setup - 8/20/2012 12:02 AM   
Warbird Man



Posts: 860
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Last Login: 5/25/2013
From: Hortonville, WI, USA
Status: offline 		Personally, I would keep anything ignition related away from anything radio related as much as possible. Especially when running long leads down the wings.
I too thought about doing that with my B-29. But why take that chance after all the time and effort that goes into building a 4 engine bomber. Also, If that one battery fails, all your engines are dead.
I wouldn't worry so much about the amp draw from the ignition units for a switch but more on the vibration the switch is exposed to.
Definetly use HD switchs on everything.
And yes, a separate switch for each engine.

< Message edited by Warbird Man -- 8/20/2012 2:19 AM >

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RE: Multi-engine Ignition Setup - 8/21/2012 1:19 AM   
dwoolridge


 

Posts: 20
Score: 100
Joined: 1/12/2002
Last Login: 9/10/2012
From: Fond du Lac, WI, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks for all the input! I just got time to think again (after being heavily involved with putting on the "Warbirds & Classics over the Midwest").

I'll let you know what I go with!

Doug


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RE: Multi-engine Ignition Setup - 9/6/2012 3:20 AM   
dwoolridge


 

Posts: 20
Score: 100
Joined: 1/12/2002
Last Login: 9/10/2012
From: Fond du Lac, WI, USA
Status: offline 		I talked to a bunch of people at our club's Warbirds and Classics over the Midwest Event about this project and here's what I've decided to go with:

4x DLE-20's. I heard some concerns over reliability with these engines, but I plan to thoroughly break each of them in and (hopefully) get a good idea of each engine's reliability.

One set of the following for each side of the wing:
1x Ignition battery, 1 heavy duty switch (10 amp, with deans connectors) for the ignition. One optical ignition cutoff that will kill both engines in the wing panel


Initially trying a 15x7, 3-blade prop. I bought several different diameter/pitch 3-blades and will let the max RPM determine which one I go with. The engines are rated to 9,000 RPM, so I'll be looking for about 8,300 to 9,000 with the prop selection.



Anybody happen to know where the fuel tanks are in a Don Smith B-17? I'll have to rework the fuel tanks (glow to gas) and they are permanently built into the wing. I didn't build it and don't have the plans... I hate to go cutting an access panel and find the fuel tank is somewhere else!


Thanks,

Doug


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