Ignition Ground Wire
12-22-2011, 11:29 AM
#1
Ignition Ground Wire
I just ran across something last night that sort of tossed me off balance a little. I was setting the timing on a couple of engines, RCS and Brison. The ground wire slipped off yet I was still getting spark. I never tried to time an engine without the ground connected before and always thought the ground wire had to be connected or the plug wouldn't fire?? I went ahead and pulled the ground wire off the other engine and rolled it over, the spark was just fine on that one too. Is this normal?? I have been doing this for years but it's the first time I have ever noticed this.
12-22-2011, 11:57 AM
#2
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RE: Ignition Ground Wire
If the ignition has shielded leads the ground is in the braid....If not the spark is going through the sensor and it will soon be gone...
Had an old C&H years ago that someone grounded the ignition through the carb mounting bolts into the bakelite carb insulator block...The C&H is good enough to make a carbon track through the bakelite to ground, and the engine still ran...
another with a broken ground wire was a Q52...You could see the spark at the gap between the sensor and the hub with the engine running...They don't make hall sensors like they used to, or ignitions either....
Had an old C&H years ago that someone grounded the ignition through the carb mounting bolts into the bakelite carb insulator block...The C&H is good enough to make a carbon track through the bakelite to ground, and the engine still ran...
another with a broken ground wire was a Q52...You could see the spark at the gap between the sensor and the hub with the engine running...They don't make hall sensors like they used to, or ignitions either....
12-22-2011, 01:52 PM
#4
RE: Ignition Ground Wire
I was just going through the Brison after a crash. I had to install a new bracket holding the sensor and re-timed the engine. The ground strap I was just holding onto the engine with a clip when it fell off. That's when I noticed it was off and I was still getting spark. Connected it up again and I noticed there was a very small crack/tear in the plug caps rubber boot and there was a big spark flowing from the boot to the ground wire.
Any thoughts on why the plane lost complete control and crashed??
Started to run really rough too?? With a spark arcing that big I would say the CH is putting out some good juice!!
That did make me wonder though so I tried the RCS without a ground and was getting good spark from it too.
Any thoughts on why the plane lost complete control and crashed??
Started to run really rough too?? With a spark arcing that big I would say the CH is putting out some good juice!! That did make me wonder though so I tried the RCS without a ground and was getting good spark from it too.
12-22-2011, 02:15 PM
#5
RE: Ignition Ground Wire
I had a Saito FG20 (gas 125) with CH style RCEXL ignition. The plug connector was not connected completely and started to come off while the engine was running on the stand. The engine sounded different and I saw what was happening and reached for the "OFF" switch but I was too late. It took out the sensor.
12-22-2011, 04:23 PM
#7
RE: Ignition Ground Wire
As soon as I can locate someplace to send in my ignition for service it will be sent off for a check up and new plug and ground wire. That was 6 months of work planted on the desert floor. I'm waiting to hear what others think of the new owner of CH. Them be some tall shoes to try to fill.
12-23-2011, 09:48 AM
#11
RE: Ignition Ground Wire
ORIGINAL: w8ye
I have exchanged several Emails with Adrian and he is very easy and pleasant to communicate with via email.
I have exchanged several Emails with Adrian and he is very easy and pleasant to communicate with via email.
Nice guy but I'm waiting for him to get the shop going 100%. Well, maybe just until after the holidays so my small part isn't lost in the Xmas mail. I was also going to check about using the ignition from the DLE 55 on my engine. That may be better then having this one repaired?? Just a thought at this time.
12-23-2011, 09:53 AM
#12
RE: Ignition Ground Wire
He is a very pleasant person on the phone too. The task is understanding everything he is saying through his accent. My wife would love it, sounds like a romance novel come to life. After the holidays I will send my ignition off to him, don't want it lost in the holiday rush.
I have also been giving thought to using a new ignition from the DLE 55 on my engine. It may be better or cheaper then having the CH repaired? Just a thought. Not sure how well that would work?
I have also been giving thought to using a new ignition from the DLE 55 on my engine. It may be better or cheaper then having the CH repaired? Just a thought. Not sure how well that would work?
12-24-2011, 12:16 AM
#14
Senior Member
RE: Ignition Ground Wire
Adrian Ciulei,Speaks,reads and writes perfect English,
Somtimes I have to slow him down when he gets excited talking about ignitions but it is my hearing loss that is the problem not his.Plus he speaks other lang.
He will not be able to do all of the junk engines that you and I and TKG has done for years and lost money on.
Just hope the guys will give him time to get ramped up He has a good full time job.Loves engines and RC.
BC-Used to be BCCHI.
You'll never no how little I care.
Somtimes I have to slow him down when he gets excited talking about ignitions but it is my hearing loss that is the problem not his.Plus he speaks other lang.
He will not be able to do all of the junk engines that you and I and TKG has done for years and lost money on.
Just hope the guys will give him time to get ramped up He has a good full time job.Loves engines and RC.
BC-Used to be BCCHI.
You'll never no how little I care.
