fisher1648

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone knows the typical current consumption of a CH ignition (used on a Brison 3.2) ??

I'm interested at 4.8V and 6.0 V. The reason I ask is the other day my ignition batt gave up pretty fast. The engine began running very rough. I was using a 4.8 1100mah ignition pack which should be adequate - I thought ?. After the first 10 min flight the pack voltage was at 4.8 V. The pack is fairly new but maybe it's failing ? I'm still investigating.

I replaced it with a brand new 6.0V 1700 mah pack and the engine is running perfectly. After three 10-15 min flights the pack voltage was 6.2V - is this OK ?

What is the lowest voltage (using a 6.0V pack) that the ingintion will work well ? I want to be able to predict how long the ignition will operate properly.

Thanks, Eric

Tired Old Man

My Feedback: (1)

Sounds like your 4.8 volt pack is not up to snuff. I don't have the exact numbers for consumption, but I'm recalling something about 400mAh for the single plug CH. TKG will probably come in here and correct me if I'm wrong.

tstotts

I don't know about that particular ignition system but I run the Thor 45 cdi and the 600ma 4.8 vdc battery would only last a matter of minutes before the engine began to run rough. I am now running a 2600ma 6vdc battery and am not having any problems so far.

tkg

My Feedback: (1)

CH @ 400ma sounds close enough for Gov't Work.

Tired Old Man

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks Terry, and it is Gov't work

fisher1648

Out of curiosity (and I was a little bored []) I rigged up a little extension that allowed me to insert a meter to measure the current comsumed by the ignition. With a 5-cell ignition battery measuring 6.5v (loaded) I measured 390ma at idle and 600ma at full throttle. This also helps me rule out ignition issues related to my quick battery demise as mentioned earlier.

Now I only have one more question:

Q. When using a 5-cell ignition battery at what voltage will the ignition not provide good spark - what's my "go home" voltage ?

Thanks, Eric

closetguy

My Feedback: (13)

don't know how safe it is but i run my 5 cell ignition packs down to 6.2,they are 2500ma from wallmark,you can get them for $17.00 for a 8 pack.engine still runs good at 6.2.
ENJOY!

tkg

My Feedback: (1)

Rule 1 As your battery voltage goes up so does the current drain. Soooo a 5 cell pack won't last as long as a 4cell pack.
Rule 2 The ignition will run at a lot lower voltage than your battery can provide when its totaly discharged. Your battery will run out of current before voltage becomes an issue. The engine will start to show a high speed miss as the battery runs down. Its giving you about a 2 minute warning, SO LAND.

rcbill

My Feedback: (1)

Eric,
May I suggest going to the NoBS Battery site and read up on ingnition batteries and what is needed. I ended up with a 2/3 A 4cell nimh. It works great and can fly all day with the CH and not worry. No need to carry around that 5 cell pack. That extra battery is extra weight and does not make any differance to the CH ingnition modules. Also if you are thinking the 5 cell will run longer than the 4 cell it is not true.

Tired Old Man

My Feedback: (1)

As TKG noted, there is nothing to gain by using more than a 4.8 volt battery or a higher voltage battery regulated to 4.8 volts. That subject has been run down many times before with the same results every time.

fisher1648

Thanks for the info !

The reason I went with the 5-cell ignition pack was it was the only known-good one I had. Since the 4-cell pack was giving me trouble I swapped it to test. Trust me, after buying every carbon fiber accessory known to man (ya gotta admit the CF spinners are cool looking) to save weight since I fly a 5000 ft MSL it was painful to add extra weight [X(]

I'll be ordering a new 4-cell ignition pack tomorrow !

Tired Old Man

My Feedback: (1)

In case you were not aware, TKG is the guy that is in the shop with BCCHI making the CH ignitions.

fisher1648

I figured the "Riverton" connection. Very valuable input - I appreciate everyone's patience !

closetguy

My Feedback: (13)

well you learn something new everyday!good info.
ENJOY!

PatrickM

Wouldn't a 5 cell pack give a form of redundancy (similar to 5 cell receiver packs) in case one of the cells shorted? I don't mind carrying an extra ounce or two if it means my engine doesn't quit at a bad time. Not that there's ever a good time

I'm considering this on a G62 converted by Ralph.

Tired Old Man

My Feedback: (1)

No.