Community
Search
Notices
Gas Engines Questions or comments about gas engines can be posted here

Electronic ignition problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-09-2010 | 07:31 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
My Feedback: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: East Hartford, CT
Default Electronic ignition problem

I have a zenoah 445 with a conversion done by RC IGNITION. The first ignition failed quickly and was replaced at no charge by Ralph. I'm now getting back to the plane (Smith Mini-plane bipe) scaled to 33%. The initial ignition caused an awful lot of RF, causing the radio to go spaz. With the 2nd ignition, the wires were shielded to minimize this problem.

Started this motor today and the radio went wacko, not being able to control any surface. Shut off the transmitter and ran the motor using manual throttle. The wires to the plugs were "HOT", and reaching for the throttle arm resulted in a fairly perky shock!!!

If anyone has any advice that will help me eliminate this RF feedback please feel free to jump in. I have moved all batteries far from the engine, no metal linkage goes from the engine compartment to the internal fuselage The ignition battery is close to the reciever, don't know if this could cause a problem...

HELP...This is a sport plane and I would like to get it into the air...
Old 08-09-2010 | 07:56 PM
  #2  
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Summerfield, NC
Default RE: Electronic ignition problem


ORIGINAL: Mrtazmaned

[font=''Verdana''][/font][font=''Verdana'']I have a zenoah 445 with a conversion done by RC IGNITION. The first ignition failed quickly and was replaced at no charge by Ralph. I'm now getting back to the plane (Smith Mini-plane bipe) scaled to 33%. The initial ignition caused an awful lot of RF, causing the radio to go spaz. With the 2nd ignition, the wires were shielded to minimize this problem.

Started this motor today and the radio went wacko, not being able to control any surface. Shut off the transmitter and ran the motor using manual throttle. The wires to the plugs were ''HOT'', and reaching for the throttle arm resulted in a fairly perky shock!!!

If anyone has any advice that will help me eliminate this RF feedback please feel free to jump in. I have moved all batteries far from the engine, no metal linkage goes from the engine compartment to the internal fuselage The ignition battery is close to the reciever, don't know if this could cause a problem...

HELP...This is a sport plane and I would like to get it into the air...[/font]
The way I see it, you have two options, #1 send it back to Ralph, he'll make it right, or, #2 put it back to factory stock magneto ignition and get that Mini Plane in the air. Zenoah's are fantastic running and extremely reliable engines. it just makes no sense to me why modelers waste their money converting them to EI.
Old 08-09-2010 | 08:03 PM
  #3  
Antique's Avatar
Senior Member
My Feedback: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,825
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Somewhere, DC
Default RE: Electronic ignition problem

Send it back, I will re convert it to mag ignition and refund your cost....
Old 08-09-2010 | 08:16 PM
  #4  
My Feedback: (19)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,378
Received 49 Likes on 48 Posts
From: Des Moines, IA
Default RE: Electronic ignition problem

ORIGINAL: Mrtazmaned

[font=''Verdana''][/font][font=''Verdana'']I have a zenoah 445 with a conversion done by RC IGNITION. The first ignition failed quickly and was replaced at no charge by Ralph. I'm now getting back to the plane (Smith Mini-plane bipe) scaled to 33%. The initial ignition caused an awful lot of RF, causing the radio to go spaz. With the 2nd ignition, the wires were shielded to minimize this problem.

Started this motor today and the radio went wacko, not being able to control any surface. Shut off the transmitter and ran the motor using manual throttle. The wires to the plugs were ''HOT'', and reaching for the throttle arm resulted in a fairly perky shock!!!

If anyone has any advice that will help me eliminate this RF feedback please feel free to jump in. I have moved all batteries far from the engine, no metal linkage goes from the engine compartment to the internal fuselage The ignition battery is close to the reciever, don't know if this could cause a problem...

HELP...This is a sport plane and I would like to get it into the air...[/font]

If you got a shock from the plug leads, the metal caps were not pushed far enough onto the plugs to complete the ground connection. Installed correctly, the metal cap will cover the hex part of the plug completely. Same problem causes your RFI problem ..... push caps on far enough ... problem should be gone. This is operator error, not an RCIGN problem.
Old 08-09-2010 | 08:48 PM
  #5  
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,957
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
From: Hesperia Michigan, MI
Default RE: Electronic ignition problem

I tend to agree...seems like if cap is grounded good...it should not shock at all. If the cap has a metal ridge...remove ridge & use a good 1/4 wide worm gear hose clamp. I read that is a good fix. Capt,n
Old 08-09-2010 | 09:07 PM
  #6  
Antique's Avatar
Senior Member
My Feedback: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,825
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Somewhere, DC
Default RE: Electronic ignition problem

I usually put NGK BPMR6F in the conversions...if the plugs are differen the caps won't fit all the way down on the hex..Use some muscle and WD40 on the caps...Refund offer still applies...
Old 08-10-2010 | 03:24 AM
  #7  
apalsson's Avatar
My Feedback: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Coffs Harbour NSW, AUSTRALIA
Default RE: Electronic ignition problem


ORIGINAL: Antique

...Refund offer still applies...

HAHAHAH ... I like your style Ralph .... Refund - AND don't come back!
Do I read this all wrong?
Old 08-10-2010 | 07:14 AM
  #8  
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 6,852
Received 33 Likes on 32 Posts
From: Mandeville, JAMAICA
Default RE: Electronic ignition problem

You never mentioned what radio system including Rx you are using which could help, and your ignition battery should be located as far from your Rx as possible.

Karol

Old 08-10-2010 | 08:54 AM
  #9  
Antique's Avatar
Senior Member
My Feedback: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,825
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Somewhere, DC
Default RE: Electronic ignition problem

Old 08-10-2010 | 09:13 AM
  #10  
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,957
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
From: Hesperia Michigan, MI
Default RE: Electronic ignition problem

A long lead to the battery which is located by the receiver is not good either. I sure would like to See a couple of photos of his radio gear & ignition gear when he had all the problems. There are many good people that could give him good ideas on what could be changed to have instant success. Capt,n
Old 08-10-2010 | 04:46 PM
  #11  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
My Feedback: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: East Hartford, CT
Default RE: Electronic ignition problem

A quick update. First, let me thank all of you for responding, for the most part, with positive replies. I in fact did everything that everyone suggested except for Ralph, because I don't want a refund. But I thought that was one of the most generous gestures that you could have made.

Okay back to business. Using WD-40 and lots of firm pressure I pushed the metal caps as far as they would go onto the spark plugs. I then used slightly larger than quarter-inch wide hose clamps and tightened them as firmly as possible using a nut driver. Then I moved the ignition system battery midway between the firewall and the receiver. Turned everything on and fired it up! You guessed it, No RF feedback, receiver was rock solid , and the engine throttle up and down evenly. It was a joy to behold!

Again gentlemen, thank you for your help. It's especially nice to know that there are places like this forum to get help and guidance!!

The Smith Mini will soon be flying!!!
Old 08-10-2010 | 05:25 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 6,571
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
From: Arcen, , NETHERLANDS
Default RE: Electronic ignition problem

Good of you to admit this common error. I often feel the way Ralf did.
Old 08-10-2010 | 06:14 PM
  #13  
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Auburn, GA
Default RE: Electronic ignition problem

Yo uhad one of the best engine man in the business to do the conversion, So you should have many happy years with the engine.
Old 08-11-2010 | 01:05 PM
  #14  
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 6,852
Received 33 Likes on 32 Posts
From: Mandeville, JAMAICA
Default RE: Electronic ignition problem


ORIGINAL: BadAzzMaxx

You had one of the best engine man in the business to do the conversion, so you should have many happy years with the engine.
Ditto that [sm=thumbs_up.gif]

Karol
Old 08-11-2010 | 07:27 PM
  #15  
mrbigg's Avatar
My Feedback: (21)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,832
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
From: Streator, IL
Default RE: Electronic ignition problem


ORIGINAL: Mrtazmaned

[font=''Verdana''][/font] A quick update. First, let me thank all of you for responding, for the most part, with positive replies. I in fact did everything that everyone suggested except for Ralph, because I don't want a refund. But I thought that was one of the most generous gestures that you could have made.

Okay back to business. Using WD-40 and lots of firm pressure I pushed the metal caps as far as they would go onto the spark plugs. I then used slightly larger than quarter-inch wide hose clamps and tightened them as firmly as possible using a nut driver. Then I moved the ignition system battery midway between the firewall and the receiver. Turned everything on and fired it up! You guessed it, No RF feedback, receiver was rock solid , and the engine throttle up and down evenly. It was a joy to behold!

Again gentlemen, thank you for your help. It's especially nice to know that there are places like this forum to get help and guidance!!

The Smith Mini will soon be flying!!!
How about some pics of that Mini?
Old 08-11-2010 | 07:41 PM
  #16  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
My Feedback: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: East Hartford, CT
Default RE: Electronic ignition problem

Will get some up as soon as the boss returns with the camera!!!

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.