CARF SPITFIRE WITH MVVS 80 Auto Start
The ignition control unit, which is a special version of the normal MVVS ICU, is mounted behind the firewall in the fuselage.
Be warned the MVVS instructions need very careful reading and following to the letter to get everything right with the starter wiring and set up (not one of the best written set of instructions to come my way), but once you have got it all worked out it works nicely and makes sense. You need a spare receiver channel to operate the starter from your transmitter, connecting via the ICU. I did not bother with the auto choke option (common MVVS ICU feature) but I did programme my radio so that the starter could not be operated accidently with the choke closed or the choke closed when the engine is running.
I also was supplied initially with a faulty ESC (that is another story) which took a while and some strong e-mails before it was sorted. If your ESC does not “sing” when the power is connected and/or has a permanent red light then you may have a software problem like I did and he starter motor will not run under any circumstances.
As is the norm, it helps cooling to baffle the cowl so that incoming air is directed onto the cylinder head.
This is a good option for this model with little or no weight penalty and the Spitfire cowl shape accommodates the MVVS system almost as it it were custommade for it.
Ed