Have 9 flights now on a new G20ei, great running little engine. However, this 4.8v ignition is a battery draining beast. I am getting one sometimes two flights out of a new, fully charged 1800mah 4 cell Nicd. I have changed out one new pack for another new pack and having the same issue. Anyone else ever experience this condition? What i am thinking of doing is installing a 2500mah 2 cell Life (A123) pack with two diodes to reduce voltage. Any thoughts, comments, suggestions, etc. will be appreciated.

An A123 voltage is 6.6 V.You only need 1 diode. You probably will get only three flights out of the A123's.
Replace the ignition with a new one from CH then you will not need a diode and you will get many flights on your battery.

Interesting. I will contact C&H. Thanks!

The Zenoah ignitions are current hogs. Switch to CH. Dan.

Toni Clark in Germany recommends a single cell LiPo for the ZG-20. Have a look here.
https://www.toni-clark.com/index_en.htm

Generally, if Toni Clark / Gerhard Reinsch recommends something, you can take it to the bank that it works.

Extract from TC´s website.

[TABLE="width: 630, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD][h=3]Zenoah Ignition current consumption[/h][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 630, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]Ignition current consumption at:[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #CCFFCC, align: center"]3,7 V Lipo[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFB66C, align: center"]4,8 V NiMh[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]At tickover 2000 U/min[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #CCFFCC, align: center"]0,7 A[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFB66C, align: center"]0,85A[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]Above 4,500 RPM up to max. revs[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #CCFFCC, align: center"]0,97 A[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFB66C, align: center"]1,35 A[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]With engine still[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #CCFFCC, align: center"]45 mA[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFB66C, align: center"]55 mA[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[TABLE="width: 630, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD]The current consumption of the Zenoah ignition unit is certainly more than is so with other model aircraft ignition units, but the Zenoah unit runs perfectly with a single cell Lipo. Energy consumption is exactly the same, whether a ignition unit is run with 2 Lipo cells at 0,5 A or the Zenoah ignition is run on a single cell with 1 A. With the Zenoah ignition there is a big difference compared to the usual "model engine" ignitions, the professional Zenoah construction team decided on a hotter spark rather than a unit with the lowest possible current drain. In the Lipo era Zenoah's path is without doubt the better option. The Zenoah unit is so powerful it can give a spark that easily jumps 4 cm, this explains the superb ease of starting and running characteristics of the Titan ZG20.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Thanks, great information. I have had an e mail in to CH for over 24 hours but still no reply. The diodes will be here tomorrow. If that doesn't pan out on the A123 pack will pursue a 1S Lipo. HK has a 6400mah that looks good.

Another source for the ignition, Scroll about halfway down the page.
http://www.rcextremepower.net/ZenoahIgnitions.html

Milton

Thank you Milton. Just placed an order.

I have been flying my g20ei for over 10 years. I flew with the original ignition for 3 years before I replaced it because it developed a internal short. There is a lot of info on this ignition here if you care to search.
You would need to give more details to know what vintage ignition you have. Zenoah has more than one over the years.
Here is the ignitions used now (I believe they are RCxel units).
I would just recharge at the field before I went with an RCxel that I modified to the wiring of the original hall sensor.
Yes those Zenoah engineered units were very thirsty. I was happier with the engine after it failed and I replaced it.

Here is a picture of the unit currently installed, if this helps at all.
However, i have an RCExl unit on the way, it should be here Monday.
Recharging after every flight is not a good option for me. Thanks for the tip though.

Did you get the new hall sensor ?. The connectors are different, I had to rewire the original sensor to a standard plug. Not a big deal.

New ignition should be here tomorrow according to the tracking information. However, i did fly it today with a 2 cell Life with 2 diodes in line and it did fine. Will charge in the morning to confirm how many mah it consumed over the two flights. Thanks for the heads up. This is supposed to be a plug and play system so we will confirm soon.

Hi

I see you have a new ignition but for reference I run mine with the old ignition on a 3000mah single cell lipo with great success. Never needed to recharge at the field. Probably get at least 1 1/2 hours flying time.

Still have the original ignition in it at least for now. The lipo sounds interesting.
I am happy to report that the 2 diode set up with a 2500mah A123 consumed 459 mah over 2 flights yesterday.

New RCExl ignition arrived yesterday, installed today. I took the plane out to the field and am very pleased with the results.
The A123 battery took 144mah to recharge after 2 ten minute flights. (plus some time for warm up and taxi out and back)
The identical receiver battery took 166mah to recharge.
If any one is looking for an OEM Zenoah ignition. Please let me know, i will make them a great deal on one with only nine flights on it and an extra new spark plug.

How good a deal are we talking?

How about $75 shipped? Also includes a new spark plug that was ~$13.

I'm really not interested in it, Sorry about the joke.

The OEM parts would have to be dirt cheap to be attractive, and even then, hard to justify. Any money spent on that ignition at all is very likely much better spent toward the upgrade.

Run a single cell Lipo OR a 3cell NiMH and you'll be amazed at the difference!!! Yes, I've done it and have had no issues at all. Power consumption greatly goes down. Read up on Toni Clark's site........

ahicks, i understand completely. Some folks are bent on having all OEM equipment, for them i would sell it otherwise i will just keep it as a back up. I am very happy with the RCExl unit and a 2S Life pack.