Leburg ignition replacement

[Mark Kramer]

Hey guys,
The leburg ignition system seems to be not available anymore. At least I cannot find access to it. Does anyone know if one of these systems could be accessed somewhere? Or is there another electronic ignition system out there?

[Dan_]

 Or is there another electronic ignition system out there?

5 that I know of...

You can put a pertronix in the stock distributor and take 2 magnets out of the pickup rotor. 

You can go with a RC ignition or build the other one here: https://www.eaglersnest.com/forum/index.php?topic=1703.0

You can go ultra cheap and copy one the 2 ignitions the NorCal guy's (Norm) came up with.  See pics and attachments below.

It starts on the zero advance crank sensor and runs on the other, thus the switches in the pic.

Maybe Steve or Les will comment on it.  My recollection is that it would idle down to 400 rpm.

[Mark Kramer]

Hi Dan,
This is so awesome. I now have some direction. I have a Mosler CB 40 I’m planning on using. Since it doesn’t have a distributor or a place to put one, I am committed to using the rear end of the crank. Right now it has a Fairbanks Morse mag, and runs quite well. The idea of a light weight, reliable, and maintenance free ignition system really intrigues me.
I am very interested in the simple set up with eBay parts. I also have heard of this guy somewhere in Europe, I think named Dirk something. He supposedly has a system using Arduino, I think. Ever heard of him?

[Mark Kramer]

Oh, by the way. What does it mean, the CDI will fire two plugs if “hooded”? What does hooded mean? Referring to the chinese scooter set up

[Dan_]

Oh, by the way. What does it mean, the CDI will fire two plugs if “hooded”? What does hooded mean? Referring to the chinese scooter set up

Change the H to an N and it becomes "needed"...

[Mark Kramer]

Oh, duh, thanks

[Dan_]

Oh, duh, thanks

It's all good bro, we're all in this together...

[Kamcoman77]

I have corresponded with Dirk about his Arduino based ignition. He has one video showing an engine running. He told me he would not sell the ignition until it had been thoroughly tested, but the project died when the engine owners decided not to proceed.

[Mark Kramer]

Oh well,
No worries. I’m actually kinda interested in building one of the above systems. The engine is going to be the final frontier of this project. Right now I just mounted the wings and am trying to figure out whether or not wash out is really necessary. I already skinned The leading edge, and the wing doesn’t want to twist.

[kalazzerx]

I have the same engine -  Mosler CB 40  with the Mag - is that considered unreliable?  I thought it was a good setup - it does seem to run fine right now.  Anyway, I am interested in any solution that improves reliability!  To tell the truth I am not really understanding the solutions presented here yet but partly due to my not having done any extensive research.

[Mark Kramer]

Hi,
Don’t get me wrong, magnetos have been on aircraft engines for a long time. Very successfully I might add. And you don’t need an outside power source. I trust technology and am always looking for a newer and possibly better way. Light weight and no maintenance seems worth looking into. I’m no expert, but that engine in the photo looks a lot like a cut case VW.

[Dan_]

Mags are reliable if maintained.  The problem with mags are getting the parts to keep up the maintenance...

G.A. standard is "inspection" every 500 hours.  https://www.cessnaflyer.org/maintenance-tech/item/1314-magneto-maintenance-101.html

[Pietflyr2]

Hi everyone. I just joined the site and just now read this thread. I would be interested in more infomation on the system noted by "Dan" as a replacement for the Leburg system. Does anyone have information for contacting whoever came up with the system drawn. I noted the reference to NorCal legal eagle people but was not able to come up with a name or information on the system.

[Kamcoman77]

The RC ignition mentioned in the video at 2min 32sec () is sold by RC airplane companies like Desert Aircraft, CH Ignitions, and RCEXL Ignitions. I have an RCEXL, twin cylinder unit purchased from ZY Hobby (China). The video unit was Desert Aircraft. I also built the GM module ignition that uses two pickups, one for Start (2° ATDC) and one for Run (28° BTDC). It puts out a very hot spark with a Honda Valkyrie or Buick V6 coil. This system uses the hand drawn schematic that Dan posted earlier. I made a pickup mount that bolts to the front of the 1/2 VW case and the pickup is triggered by a longer prop bolt passing by.

[Dan_]

Hi everyone. I just joined the site and just now read this thread. I would be interested in more infomation on the system noted by "Dan" as a replacement for the Leburg system. Does anyone have information for contacting whoever came up with the system drawn. I noted the reference to NorCal legal eagle people but was not able to come up with a name or information on the system.

Norm Heistand is your contact.  He is a member here but has not been active for a few years.  You may want to try a PM to him.

He is also a member at Homebuilt Airplanes forum.  I dunno if they have PMs there...