Subject: Crank Trigger
From: Rotary Engine
Date: 8/6/2007, 3:45 PM
To: AARotary Engine


     > Thanks Archie,   I have been in contact with MSD     regarding   the coil
     > selection.  Tomorrow I will ask them to detail out a    complete
     > system.  Should  have parts numbers and prices    shortly.     Jerry

Jerry,
 The proper setup is to run a single reluctor and two   pickups.    What  Lynn
and I were talking about was running two complete low cost   ignition
modules. Think of it like running two linked single rotor     engines   with a
common e-shaft! If one module failed you could still have   one    rotor  firing.
Bill Jepson


I think you need to define reluctor Bill. Also a sketch would   help.
I think Jerry is also talking about a single rotor engine.

Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

I am talking about a single rotor but with the thought of using  two
pick ups together with two dual lead coils and the ability to   switch
between them.   I don't know if this if practical. If I added the
separate ignition module would I have a single rotor version  of  what
Bill is describing?  As I said a couple of e-mails back, this
thinking has been triggered by comments and photos posted by Lynn.
Jerry

If you want to use two pickups you will have to use two trigger
wheels or a very wide trigger wheel as the two pickups will be  side
by side. Make the trigger wheel mounting holes elongated so you
can adjust the ignition timing.

-- 
Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.


I think I am not communicating well.  I am talking about a single
trigger wheel with one reluctor.  The pickups would be 180 degrees
apart, on opposite sides of the wheel.  Jerry



What good is that going to do you? That will only work on a  two   rotor.
A one rotor engine fires once per revolution. If you want a    completely
redundant ignition system the two pickups must be side by side with
two trigger wheels. If the pickups are 180 degrees apart you  will  get
a useless spark. Each trigger wheel needs
only one tooth.



Call it a trigger wheel instead of reluctor. The word   reluctor   is  a too
general description of a large class of devices.

-- 
Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

 It is an either/or  situation not  both at the same time.  If one
coil fails, the other can be selected.  That is the point.  This
would be an easy to make, economical redundant ignition.         Jerry


What if the pickup fails?

A)If you use two pickups, two modules and two coils you will
have a completely redundant ignition system.

Both pickups, ignition modules and coils will fire at the same time.
What you need to do is switch the high voltage leads going to the
spark plugs as you only have one set of spark plugs.

If you want you can switch off the unneeded pickup signal with
another switch or relay so the spare module and coil do not fire  when
not needed.

B)Now if you only want to use one pickup and one module and two    coils you will
have to switch the input to the coils and the output of the  coils   as well.

C)If you want one pickup, two modules and two coils. You will   will  have to
switch the input to the modules and the output of the coils as well.


Which is it! A or B or C?
-- 
Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

Redundant crank trigger ignition is used in circle track racing.  The
driver just throws a switch to select the back up.   MSD catalogue:

Jerry Hey

OK that switches the coils. You still need two of everything.
If you want to switch the output of the pick ups you will
need a relay or another low voltage switch.
-- 
Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

Is the redundant ignition possible, and worth the expense and
effort.  I tend to think it is but I am just learning and am
listening to the experts, yourself included.  I would like to
eventually nail this down with a drawing, parts numbers and so
on.     Jerry

I need to correct myself when I said above that the two pickups
should be 180 degrees from each other.  Obviously that should have
been 120 degrees for the single rotor.    Jerry


Where did you come up with 120 degrees?
The one rotor fires once at 23 degrees before top dead
center. Period. One bump on the trigger wheel mounted on the e-shaft
will do the job if you don't need a tach.

Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

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