Early Lightspeed ignition

[Tom]

Hi Folks,

does anyone have a copy or some insight on the early lightspeed ignition? Specificly
the one that uses the MSD ignition amplifier?

Thanks

T

[LongEZDaveA]

Tom,

I have one of the early Lightspeed ignitions and so does Gary Hertzler.  Last year I switched to Klaus's adapters and am running auto spark plugs now.  The only problem I have had in about 500 hours is one channel went out on the MSD.  Bought a used one on ebay and all is good again.

I started racing last year and am interested in your race experience.  I am still a bit concerned with high RPM and high power operation on my O-235 modified with 9.7:1 pistons.  I'm saying high like 2900 RPM, not your 4k RPM!

What is your question on the early Lightspeed ignition?  Maybe I can help.

Dave

[Tom]

Thanks dave,

Im trying to troubleshoot a problem with mine,

I built a new "trigger wheel" (the continental is a bit different than your lycoming) and anyway, I dont seem to have the correct ignition timing with the new setup, and I cant remember what the timing should be at idle with the hose to the intake disconnected, also, It seems the electronic is not firing when starting (via arm) when I think it did before..

Any chance you could scan, or take photos of the manual and email them to me?


As for racing, I think running the o-235 to 2900 or 3000 should be no problem, as long as you are running good oil.  Some of the F1 guys swear by redline, others swear at it, and others, well they are still using aeroshell W100. With Aeroshell W100 or 15W50, after a few mins at race power, I would have 20 PSI oil pressure, with temps at 260F, with the redline 20W50, I would have 45psi, and 250, with around 50RPM more RPM. as I mentioned I havent tore the engine down yet, but after around 35 hrs, the oil screen is still as clean as can be.

heres a question for you, would you run regular oil you bought at walmart in your racecar?

T

[Radioflyer]

I'm just curious...how early is early? My LSE ignition is from '98 and I'm wondering if that uses MSD amps also.

[LongEZDaveA]

Tom,

I can help you out on the manual.  Please email me at long83dt at charter dot net.

For now, this may help.  I'm typing this directly from the manual -

Start of manual text -

In the run mode, the TDC bolt (second in the direction of rotation) is ignored and the first bolt triggers the system.  Ignition occurs when the center of the bolt head passes by the trigger coil core.  When manifold pressure is above 15-in. it is delayed in seven steps of 2.8 degrees each until full retard is reached at 25-in. manifold pressure.  Thus the timing is per engine specs at high power and is progressively advanced as power is decreased.

End of manual text -

One item mentioned in the manual that will affect the starting performance is the gap between trigger bolts and coils.  The spec is .025" plus or minus .010".  Larger gaps cause starting problems.  Could that be your problem?

Radioflyer,

I bought my lightspeed ignition in 1995 or 1996.  If you have the MSD, it will be obvious.  You will have the ignition module (brain), the two ignition coils, big electrolytic capacitor and the MSD unit.  The MSD unit is red and interfaces directly with the ignition module.  It says MC-2, motorcycle ignition on it.

[Radioflyer]

Dave, thanks. I only have the ignition module (with the sensor in the magneto hole), so I must have a later version. Thankfully, it has been working well. At one point last year I was having a kind of "miss". I discovered one of the 12Vdc power wires at the ignition on/off switch was separating from its crimp connector. Fixed that and the "miss" went away.

[Bruce Hughes]

Hi Tom

I have one of the earlier Klaus units (the cheaper one, not the CD).  Unfortunately I am
on vacation so I will not be much help until April 15 or so.  I did have some problems
but it turned out that most of the problems were my fault.  If you call me on the cell
phone (808-250-0939), I can give you a few bits of info that may help.

My sensors are on the case near the ringgear (AKA flywheel)

Much of my problem in starting was due to my wiring system.  You cannot run the 12 V
through a master solenoid, then a starter solenoid, then to the solenoid which is a
part of the starter.  You have about 5 or 6 volts when it gets through all of that.
See the posting on canard-aviators (Yahoogroups) by Nick Ugolini some months back.

It is working VERY well now.   

Bruce Hughes