Sparking the Innovation of Change

By Gene Yarbrough

Electroair has updated their product line with a new replacement option for dual magneto equipped Lycoming engines. The Michigan based company has developed a solid-state direct bolt-in replacement for the traditional mechanical dual magneto used on many large 4-cylinder Lycoming engines, including those used in helicopter applications.

Consisting of an internal generator, and solid-state triggering system, the primary generator and signal side powers 4 coil-on plug ignition coils. The unit also is equipped with a hall-effect pickup to signal an external electronic ignition unit providing dual ignition capabilities from a single unit. About the size and weight of a traditional single ignition magneto, the unit saves both weight on the engine gearbox and frees up a valuable drive pad for other accessories.

The unit on display at Oshkosh shows an external vacuum pot for initial starting timing retardation. The company stated this system is only active at the start cycle, and advances the timing as the manifold pressure is reduced once the engine comes up to idle speed, thereby eliminating the spring type impulse coupling found on many mechanical magnetos.

Additionally, since the system is electronic based, the spark timing and duration is more accurate and has a longer duration -- which improves both starting behavior and fuel burn resulting in more efficient fuel usage.

FMI: www.electroair.net