HA HA HA! I love your description of the demon Lucas. Spent many moons cursing his name for the electrics in my Norton 750cc Commando (with the "Combat" engine). Even after a total wiring harness replacement in the late 70's, heaven was of no help to you if you had to ride in the rain! You never knew what was going to happen when you pressed the horn button or tried to turn on the lights! (Ah, the "good old days"!!).

However, as much as I like electronic ignition... my chainsaws and weedeaters work fine with a magneto. Comparing todays magneto ignition systems with anything produced by Lucas in the 60's and 70's... isn't playing fair!

Andy Steere
http://astro.umsystem.edu/andy/rc/

English ignitions and wiring were dreadful.
I completely stripped my Austin Healey A100 of every wire -thats every one-and re wired the whole car. I got a 55 gallon drum chock full of wires out of that car!
Being a card carrying old fart, I do like good reliable stuff -over quirky tech stuff.
However, as an example,The new ignitions I get from Falkon - is just too good to ignore - easy start very smooth running .
The new generation of this stuff is sooo much better -in my opinion- than the old mag stuff -
I would not ven consider using the old mag ignitions.
if smoothness and ease of starting counts -
I am very familiar with the G62 -on mag ignition - it isn't bad - but power to weight and smoothness comparison -leaves it in the also ran bin anymore.

I'm Shocked...
I had no idea that some people believe or have experience that would lead too the conclusion that a magneto system is more reliable than an electronic ignition.

All you need to do is look at the two idling side by side. One will be coughing spitting and sputtering the other one running with a slower smoother idle.

Now days, the only reason any of the RC engine manufactures use a magneto is to reduce the cost. All of the better more powerful RC engine manufactures use electronic ignition. The manufactures know that the electronic ignition makes for a better running lighter engine….even if that means the engine will cost $100 more. Obviously most people feel this way or the electronic ignition would be history.

Dick- I'm sure you know why the British drink warm beer, right? Because Lucas makes their refrigerators!

I know the pain you describe as I replaced the wiring harness in a Triumph TR6.


Wings- Ahh... Don't tell that to the FAA! They seem disagree with you.

-B

This thing sure strayed a long way from my original question.

Gee, if mags are so reliable how come the full scale planes have two on each engine? Afraid one will quit? Nah.......

Actually there is an electronic ignition system with retard that makes full scale engine easy to start and idle so smooth you have to watch the prop to make sure it's running.