Ignition Woes
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Ignition Woes
Hey y'all. Had a rough landing on my ESM hellcat (DLE35RA) due to the vent line shifting in flight and melting shut on the muffler due to heat. The resulting dead stick caused the plug cap to be forcablly removed from the plug .
I did not want to try to rig the plug cap back together so I ordered a replacment plug kit from the good folks at valley view RC. I let one of my expert buddies get involved and during the process of clamping down the dikes clamp, he squeed the clamp down on the middle of the plug cable rather than the sides.
Now I cant get this engine to fire. Could his clamping caused the trouble by severing the wire that carries the spark? I did see that the resistor is running thru the little coil that touched the top of the spark plug but I can not see if it is in contact with this coil.
Want to get some feedback from the pros here to see what I should try before just getting a new ignition.
Thank you in advance.</p>
#2
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RE: Ignition Woes
It sure sounds like you have an assembly problem. I'd order another cap and have your buddy stay home when you install it. There are several photo's of the assembly sequence here on this forum if you do a quick search. You could also just order a new ignition then save your repaired one as a spare.
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RE: Ignition Woes
I just pulled my head out of my rear and found a link that said to remove the plug, then put it in the plug cap. Test it by touching the plug to the head of the engine and moving thru the hall sensor. I was told that doing this would fry the ignition. Well, damn the torpedos so I decided to try it. First I used a dental pick to move the end of the resistor toward the plug opening a bit more and to pull the tiny coil up a little in its plastic linging towards the plug as well.
Conducted the test and I got spark. Im thinking now my problem is that the origional grounding spring that came with the dle was keeping the plug too far out of the cap. So I inserted the gound spring into the plug cap lije the pics on this site. Not sure what was the issue not I just have to see if it will burn gas.
I have a question. So how necessary is the gounding spring? Would the engine operate with out it? Would I shock the piss out myself if I did not have it installed?
Conducted the test and I got spark. Im thinking now my problem is that the origional grounding spring that came with the dle was keeping the plug too far out of the cap. So I inserted the gound spring into the plug cap lije the pics on this site. Not sure what was the issue not I just have to see if it will burn gas.
I have a question. So how necessary is the gounding spring? Would the engine operate with out it? Would I shock the piss out myself if I did not have it installed?
#4
RE: Ignition Woes
The spring is a extra tool to help ensure the engine is grounded to the ignition system, so that RFI (radio frequency interference) noise is kept to the minimum. You may or may not need it depending on your circumstances.
#5
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RE: Ignition Woes
The ground path for the spark is through the metal shielding on the plug lead, not through the engine! If you want to test for a spark, you must have the plug inserted into the plug cap and it has to be inserted until the hex part of the plug is no longer visible. Many leave the large spring out as in some cases it does interfere with pushing the cap all the way onto the plug. Others use a small hose clamp around the outside of the cap as far down as it can go towards the cylinder for added security. With a clamp for security, I can't imagine the spring would be necessary as its only real purpose is to create a better ground connection on the plug.
If your jury rig a connection from the from the plug cap to the center electrode on a plug then hold the plug to the case, you could fry the sensor as the only return path for the spark could be through the sensor. If the outside of the cap is grounded to the case, you would be OK but all of this is unnecessary if you just put the plug in the cap when testign.
Remember, the plug cap has to cover all of the hex part of the plug during normal use. If you ever get a shock from a model ignition, you know you did something really wrong.
If your jury rig a connection from the from the plug cap to the center electrode on a plug then hold the plug to the case, you could fry the sensor as the only return path for the spark could be through the sensor. If the outside of the cap is grounded to the case, you would be OK but all of this is unnecessary if you just put the plug in the cap when testign.
Remember, the plug cap has to cover all of the hex part of the plug during normal use. If you ever get a shock from a model ignition, you know you did something really wrong.
#6
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RE: Ignition Woes
If you have any problems getting it to work, John Weidman builds an ignition that rivals the best available. Also, he can fix your "broken" ignition. His email address is "John Weidman" <[email protected]> His prices are more than reasonable, he's a great communicator, and he guarantees his work. Hard to find that combination in our hobby these days.
Steve
Steve
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RE: Ignition Woes
Quick Google search:
John Weidman
341 Ontelaunee Trail
Hamburg, Pa. 19526
His email is.... [email protected]
John Weidman
341 Ontelaunee Trail
Hamburg, Pa. 19526
His email is.... [email protected]
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RE: Ignition Woes
Thanks PE. I just saw that my copy and paste didn't copy and paste. So far my dealings with John have been absolutely terrific. I'll let you know when I get my new CDIs in how they work. I have nothing but the highest expectations and no one that I've talked to has had anything but high praise!!
Steve
Steve
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RE: Ignition Woes
Search machine? sorry but I am now completely confused. How did you look up this guys address in the phone book when you are in the netherlands? You a police officer or something? 3rd planet? Venus? Or are you not counting the sun?
#15
RE: Ignition Woes
ORIGINAL: BubbasanJohn
Search machine? sorry but I am now completely confused. How did you look up this guys address in the phone book when you are in the netherlands? You a police officer or something? 3rd planet? Venus? Or are you not counting the sun?
Search machine? sorry but I am now completely confused. How did you look up this guys address in the phone book when you are in the netherlands? You a police officer or something? 3rd planet? Venus? Or are you not counting the sun?
Whats a phone book?
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RE: Ignition Woes
ORIGINAL: Whistling Death
Whew, I was starting to get worried.
ORIGINAL: BubbasanJohn
yeah im kidding. Thanks for the help gents!
yeah im kidding. Thanks for the help gents!
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RE: Ignition Woes
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Yes, no insult intended. I spent some time in the low country a while back. Quite a pleasant experience. What do you think of Beatrix stepping aside? Not like she had much inuence any way. <span style="text-align: left; ">Ik zal handhaven.</span></span>