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-   -   Electronic ignition problem (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/gas-engines-142/9922393-electronic-ignition-problem.html)

Mrtazmaned 08-09-2010 07:31 PM

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...

STUKA BARRY 08-09-2010 07:56 PM

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.

Antique 08-09-2010 08:03 PM

RE: Electronic ignition problem
 
Send it back, I will re convert it to mag ignition and refund your cost....

Truckracer 08-09-2010 08:16 PM

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.

captinjohn 08-09-2010 08:48 PM

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

Antique 08-09-2010 09:07 PM

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...

apalsson 08-10-2010 03:24 AM

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?

karolh 08-10-2010 07:14 AM

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


Antique 08-10-2010 08:54 AM

RE: Electronic ignition problem
 
:D

captinjohn 08-10-2010 09:13 AM

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

Mrtazmaned 08-10-2010 04:46 PM

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!!!

pe reivers 08-10-2010 05:25 PM

RE: Electronic ignition problem
 
Good of you to admit this common error. I often feel the way Ralf did.

BadAzzMaxx 08-10-2010 06:14 PM

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.

karolh 08-11-2010 01:05 PM

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

mrbigg 08-11-2010 07:27 PM

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?

Mrtazmaned 08-11-2010 07:41 PM

RE: Electronic ignition problem
 
Will get some up as soon as the boss returns with the camera!!!


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