Subject: Lamar 2 rotor CD ignition
From: paul lamar
Date: 8/26/2017, 7:05 PM
To: A10-Me-Earthlink



  designed for a two rotor.

  It is lower cost by about $150 compared to two Mallorys

  Probably $900 lower cost than the M&W.

  I could also include two LM1815 circuits that would condition the
  pulses out of the stock crank angle sensors for a few dollars more.

  If any one wants to build one I can do a circuit board for them.
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  If any body has a 2nd RX7 ignition system the waste spark coil will
  work with this CD system. You will need two for a 2 rotor.

  This will save you a lot of money. You can buy them cheap on ebay I
  am sure.

  I found the old LM1815 are no longer available in dips so they must
  be surface mounted. Not that hard for this part. It can easily be
  done with a small tip on a soldering iron.

  ---------------------------------------------------- Ops I found some
  LM1815 dips on ebay at a great price. Just over a buck apiece.

  Steve, get some of these and send some to me. About ten would be
  about right.

  Here is the schematic with the LM1815 on board. These are wonderful
  chips for taking in CAS signals an outputting a simple pulse.
  Megasquirt uses them as well. Why they are not making the dip
  versions anymore is a mystery to me. Dips are much easier to
  experiment with.

  Here is the schematic with the LM1815's.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  The other relatively expensive part is the 1 mf high voltage
  capacitor that stores the charge. It is 760 volts. I could not find
  one with less voltage.

  Here it is one Digi Key for $2.83 cents each.

  Still working on the transformer.


  Paul Lamar


  I would be keen  for a couple of boards, If you are not making a few
   complete units. I already have the coils lying around somewhere.

  Richie Barrow

  I am not ready to do the PC boards quite yet. Steve Carlisle will
  take it over when I get a bit further along.

  I usually order 3 PC boards at a time  as they are cheaper that way.

  ------------------------------------------------------

  Here is the Express PCB layout for two LM1815 CAS conditioners. 16
  pin dip versions.

  It is to scale. The resisters are quarter watt as I recall but 1/10
  watt would work.

  Attached is the pdf on the transformer I will try. I got a free
  sample. They about $6 each. If they work they are a real bargain.
  This is one of the hardest parts to make.

  Paul Lamar

  Just about any waste spark coil will work if it does not have a
  transistor switch inside or igniter. In general  they would have
  three connections but not always. Ground, 12 volts and a trigger
  connection.

  In fact I am not sure if the second gen RX7 Denso will work as I
  found a label on on it that said "w/igniter".  It only has two
  connections. And the primary is about 1 to 2 ohms.


  The primary winding on these non transistor coils is about 1 ohm. So
   that will draw about 12 amps.

  Use an ohmmeter to measure the primary resistance. If it is one or
  two OHM it probably is a non transistor coil. The RX7 second gen
  waste spark coil was about 1.5 ohms so I assumed the 2nd gen igniter
   fired it.

  If you connect a heavy duty push button switch from the negative
  side of the coil to ground and a 12 volt battery connected to the
  plus side it will fire  a simple,  old  non transistor coil with a
  spark plug connected when you tap the switch.

  Any coil used with a distributer with points is a non transistor
  coil.

  Paul Lamar


  I will be interested in these boards, as I have been unsuccessful in
   obtaining local assistance with Tracy’s ECU and don’t want to be in
  a totally unsupported environment in the future.  All of my local IT
  guys say the environment is too old and it would be a very long
  project to get it all updated and running.

  Hopefully the outcome of all of this great work will result in a CDI
  and EFI environment that those of us with less expertise in this
  area can install and operate. The CDI  units in the $150 range seem
  reasonable, but the $1500 solutions are out of reach. Paul I scanned
  my old emails and did not find the one where you listed example
  Maximize code for the EFI.  Can you please re-post?

  BTW,  I have completed the header/muffler for my installation.  A few
  pix are attached, including one showing the internals.  The internal
  holes are equivalent in area to the 3” tailpipe.

  It ended up being a little heavier than anticipated (13 lb, 5 of
  which is the Racing Beat header flange), as well as a little bigger.
  This is close to the weight of the stock header alone. Width:  my
  cowl will need to handle 14” from center on this side, although I
  could have part of the cylinder outside of  a more narrow cowling,
  which might cool better. 14” is about as wide as a horizontal piston
  engine.  I can shed possibly another pound or so and narrow the slip
  joints 3/4” if needed.  Note that the 1/ 1/2” tube running through
  the cylinder is for cooling air flow and does not connect with the
  exhaust.   I looked at installing it on my RX-8 as a test, but that
  it is not practical.  If anyone has a running renesis engine and
  would like to borrow it for testing, please let me know.

  Scott Gettings

  Once you take the ignition problem out of the computer the EFI part
  becomes much simpler. A very simple system will keep the engine
  running while you can tune it with a manual mixture control. A
  simple bench set up consisting of mass air flow sensor, a Maximite
  and a transistor controlling a fuel injector goes a long way towards
  developing a simple system that will work.

  In fact you don't need a real mass airflow sensor as a small pot
  connected to five volts can simulate a mass air flow sensor variable
  voltage.

  Boils down to reading the mass air flow sensor and adjusting the
  pulse width on the injector depending on how much air is going into
  the engine.

  It can do this ten times a second or faster.

  It is easier than a car EFI system as you have a well defined prop
  load that is a simple function of RPM. No rapid acceleration is
  needed.

  Paul Lamar


  One of the recent aps for smart phones are oscilloscope aps. This
  makes it possible to actually see the pulses applied to the injectors
  and measure their width with out spending $300 or more for an
  oscilloscope.

  They are also available for computers.

  This is a major cost reduction when developing EFI software.

  ----------------------------------------------------------------------

  You must be very careful when using these oscilloscope for computers
  or cell phones that you don't put in too much voltage. Usually they
  use the microphone jack which is designed for very low voltage.

  There is a company that sells some hard ware that uses the screen of
  your cell phone by connecting to it with blue tooth. That is much
  safer but it cost about $160. Works with cell phones and computers
  that have blue tooth.

  https://ar-oscilloscope.com/products/

  They also have low cost probes which are almost essential.

  These will trouble shoot your CAS no matter how your using it. Stock
  or other wise.

  Here is a larger picture of the LM1815 PC board.

  The front rotor  CAS can also be used to trigger the EFI in addition
  to the ignition.

  Paul Lamar


  I actually have an oscilloscope sitting on a shelf.  Now if I just
knew how to use it....  :-)

  Scott Gettings

  Take a picture of the front panel and I will explain the controls.
  What brand is it?

  Paul Lamar


Ramsey.  Here are the pictures. It looks like it is virtually new in the
box.  It has a complete instruction manual which should cover it's basic
functions.  I would most benefit from knowing how it would specifically
be used in the current systems under development

Thx

Scott Gettings





  designed for a two rotor.

  It is lower cost by about $150 compared to two Mallorys

  Probably $900 lower cost than the M&W.

  I could also include two LM1815 circuits that would condition the
  pulses out of the stock crank angle sensors for a few dollars more.

  If any one wants to build one I can do a circuit board for them.
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  If any body has a 2nd RX7 ignition system the waste spark coil will
  work with this CD system. You will need two for a 2 rotor.

  This will save you a lot of money. You can buy them cheap on ebay I
  am sure.

  I found the old LM1815 are no longer available in dips so they must
  be surface mounted. Not that hard for this part. It can easily be
  done with a small tip on a soldering iron.

  ---------------------------------------------------- Ops I found some
  LM1815 dips on ebay at a great price. Just over a buck apiece.

  Steve, get some of these and send some to me. About ten would be
  about right.

  Here is the schematic with the LM1815 on board. These are wonderful
  chips for taking in CAS signals an outputting a simple pulse.
  Megasquirt uses them as well. Why they are not making the dip
  versions anymore is a mystery to me. Dips are much easier to
  experiment with.

  Here is the schematic with the LM1815's.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  The other relatively expensive part is the 1 mf high voltage
  capacitor that stores the charge. It is 760 volts. I could not find
  one with less voltage.

  Here it is one Digi Key for $2.83 cents each.

  Still working on the transformer.


  Paul Lamar


  I would be keen  for a couple of boards, If you are not making a few
   complete units. I already have the coils lying around somewhere.

  Richie Barrow

  I am not ready to do the PC boards quite yet. Steve Carlisle will
  take it over when I get a bit further along.

  I usually order 3 PC boards at a time  as they are cheaper that way.

  ------------------------------------------------------

  Here is the Express PCB layout for two LM1815 CAS conditioners. 16
  pin dip versions.

  It is to scale. The resisters are quarter watt as I recall but 1/10
  watt would work.

  Attached is the pdf on the transformer I will try. I got a free
  sample. They about $6 each. If they work they are a real bargain.
  This is one of the hardest parts to make.

  Paul Lamar

  Just about any waste spark coil will work if it does not have a
  transistor switch inside or igniter. In general  they would have
  three connections but not always. Ground, 12 volts and a trigger
  connection.

  In fact I am not sure if the second gen RX7 Denso will work as I
  found a label on on it that said "w/igniter".  It only has two
  connections. And the primary is about 1 to 2 ohms.


  The primary winding on these non transistor coils is about 1 ohm. So
   that will draw about 12 amps.

  Use an ohmmeter to measure the primary resistance. If it is one or
  two OHM it probably is a non transistor coil. The RX7 second gen
  waste spark coil was about 1.5 ohms so I assumed the 2nd gen igniter
   fired it.

  If you connect a heavy duty push button switch from the negative
  side of the coil to ground and a 12 volt battery connected to the
  plus side it will fire  a simple,  old  non transistor coil with a
  spark plug connected when you tap the switch.

  Any coil used with a distributer with points is a non transistor
  coil.

  Paul Lamar


  I will be interested in these boards, as I have been unsuccessful in
   obtaining local assistance with Tracy’s ECU and don’t want to be in
  a totally unsupported environment in the future.  All of my local IT
  guys say the environment is too old and it would be a very long
  project to get it all updated and running.

  Hopefully the outcome of all of this great work will result in a CDI
  and EFI environment that those of us with less expertise in this
  area can install and operate. The CDI  units in the $150 range seem
  reasonable, but the $1500 solutions are out of reach. Paul I scanned
  my old emails and did not find the one where you listed example
  Maximize code for the EFI.  Can you please re-post?

  BTW,  I have completed the header/muffler for my installation.  A few
  pix are attached, including one showing the internals.  The internal
  holes are equivalent in area to the 3” tailpipe.

  It ended up being a little heavier than anticipated (13 lb, 5 of
  which is the Racing Beat header flange), as well as a little bigger.
  This is close to the weight of the stock header alone. Width:  my
  cowl will need to handle 14” from center on this side, although I
  could have part of the cylinder outside of  a more narrow cowling,
  which might cool better. 14” is about as wide as a horizontal piston
  engine.  I can shed possibly another pound or so and narrow the slip
  joints 3/4” if needed.  Note that the 1/ 1/2” tube running through
  the cylinder is for cooling air flow and does not connect with the
  exhaust.   I looked at installing it on my RX-8 as a test, but that
  it is not practical.  If anyone has a running renesis engine and
  would like to borrow it for testing, please let me know.

  Scott Gettings

  Once you take the ignition problem out of the computer the EFI part
  becomes much simpler. A very simple system will keep the engine
  running while you can tune it with a manual mixture control. A
  simple bench set up consisting of mass air flow sensor, a Maximite
  and a transistor controlling a fuel injector goes a long way towards
  developing a simple system that will work.

  In fact you don't need a real mass airflow sensor as a small pot
  connected to five volts can simulate a mass air flow sensor variable
  voltage.

  Boils down to reading the mass air flow sensor and adjusting the
  pulse width on the injector depending on how much air is going into
  the engine.

  It can do this ten times a second or faster.

  It is easier than a car EFI system as you have a well defined prop
  load that is a simple function of RPM. No rapid acceleration is
  needed.

  Paul Lamar


  One of the recent aps for smart phones are oscilloscope aps. This
  makes it possible to actually see the pulses applied to the injectors
  and measure their width with out spending $300 or more for an
  oscilloscope.

  They are also available for computers.

  This is a major cost reduction when developing EFI software.

  ----------------------------------------------------------------------

  You must be very careful when using these oscilloscope for computers
  or cell phones that you don't put in too much voltage. Usually they
  use the microphone jack which is designed for very low voltage.

  There is a company that sells some hard ware that uses the screen of
  your cell phone by connecting to it with blue tooth. That is much
  safer but it cost about $160. Works with cell phones and computers
  that have blue tooth.

  https://ar-oscilloscope.com/products/

  They also have low cost probes which are almost essential.

  These will trouble shoot your CAS no matter how your using it. Stock
  or other wise.

  Here is a larger picture of the LM1815 PC board.

  The front rotor  CAS can also be used to trigger the EFI in addition
  to the ignition.

  Paul Lamar


  I actually have an oscilloscope sitting on a shelf.  Now if I just
knew how to use it....  :-)

  Scott Gettings

  Take a picture of the front panel and I will explain the controls.
  What brand is it?

  Paul Lamar


Ramsey.  Here are the pictures. It looks like it is virtually new in the
box.  It has a complete instruction manual which should cover it's basic
functions.  I would most benefit from knowing how it would specifically
be used in the current systems under development

Thx

Scott Gettings

The oscilloscope is basically a graph-displaying device - it draws a
graph of an electrical signal. In most applications the graph shows how
signals change over time: the vertical (Y) axis represents voltage and
the horizontal (X) axis represents time. ... You can determine the time
and voltage values of a signal.

It draws by sweeping a tiny beam of electrons from left to right at high
speed. The screen is divide into
what are called "divisions". Controlled by the upper red knob. One
division can be set to say.... one millisecond
or one ms. It can be as short as one microsecond (one usec) with a very
high speed scope.

The screen is also divided south to north by voltage divisions. The
number of volts per division is set
by the lower red knobs. Since this is a dual trace scope there are two
lower red knobs. Each division
can be set to say.... one volt.

More later. Got to go out.

------------------------------------------

A very quick way to understand an O-scope is set the top knob on
one second per division and the bottom knob on one volt per division.

Then get any size 1.5 volts battery and ground the negative side
to the probe. Tap the positive side of the prob tip to the top or
positive side of the battery and watch the o-scope screen.

You will see see some rectangular waves more or less.


Paul Lamar


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