ElectroAir Electronic Ignition project

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

Jim,
My CHTs were lower with my old engine. It was a Lyc factory overhaul that only lasted 1380 hours before the bottom end was found to be worn out. My new limits rebuild runs a bit hotter cht wise, but cooler oil temp wise. It has new Lyc cyl. And my plane does have Daves cowl, but when I put it on, I didnt see any real change in CHTs from where they were. The old engine would run 340-380 on all cyl on all but the most arduous hot climbs, or extended cold letdowns.
Zach

[Terry Rawlins]

Zach,

If on the single the Left remains as a back up in case of Electrical Failure, I assume the same is the case for the Twin. So as the engine runs smoother on the Electronic System, on both the Single and the Twin is the Left Mag kept switched off during flight and only switched on in an emergency?

Terry

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

Terry,
The system is the same single or twin. The mag stays on as normal, but it is basically firing for not as the electronic spark advances beyond the set timing of the mag. If the electronic goes off line, the engine just reverts to the mag sparks with the resultant loss of performance and smoothness.
Zach

[N3322G]

Zach,

Any chance this will support an LIO engine?

[MULEFLY]

Pat... I spoke with Electroair a few months back... yes... LIO was to be included.... Their website electroair.net shows a Oct '12 revision to the STC ... but the tech guy told me at that time that the LIO was in the pipeline with the twico authorization that has since been achieved. I haven't confirmed it but that was the way that they were approaching the IO/LIO issue. I'm about 50 hours away from having 500 hours on my mags and intend to install when we get close to the 500 hour mark.

Jim

BTW... the units are $3,400 on the Electroair site... $2,890 at Aircraft Spruce.

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

I dont see any reason why not. I think all that would be needed is a reindexing of the trigger by the folks at electroair. Might be worth a call to them.
Zach

[N3322G]

Thanks Jim and Zach,

I'm a bit away from 500 hours but had the same thought as Jim so - early in the project - maybe 2013 annual or 2014 more likely. I've been following this enhancement with great interest. Thanks for breaking new ground Zach.

[Christopher Hufnagel]

Hi Zach,
I am preparing to overhaul my IO320 C1A's on my twin comanche in about a month.
One of the upgrades I am considering it the Electroair ignition. Any suggestions or comments since the last post here on your satisfaction with it now that its been on your plane for a few years?

Thanks, Chris

[MULEFLY]

Chris... I have had family illness issues that have not allowed me to put the hours on the airplane that others have with this system... my early indication is "YES DO IT!"

At altitude with little wind effect, I saw as much as 14 NMPG flying WEST to Portland. I'll go back out there this weekend to retrieve it after 5 months with John van Bladeren... my goal is to have an airplane that can go non-stop from WI to Ft. Meyers, FL non-stop... with nacelle tanks and the EI... if the wind gods are good... should have an hour in reserve.

Good system... phenomenal preliminary results.
Jim

[Christopher Hufnagel]

Thank you, Jim.
It is great to hear that you have been so happy and highly recommend EI.
I am almost certain I am going to add it to my Twin this summer during overhaul.
I hope family things are improving for you and you are able to get back in the air soon.
Best,
chris

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

Chris,
If you have C1As I'm guessing you are turboed. If so, you won't see significant gains while your MP is over 24", but you will see a hotter spark and no flashover at higher altitudes. It will also start easier and run smoother at all rpms. If you don't run with much boost, you should see some serious gains in efficiency/power at lower power settings. I still love mine, and several friends have put them on their Comanches and love the results as well. Great system that has been all but trouble free since working the bugs out after installation. Put the 1300$ it costs to overhaul your left mag towards the EI system and the price starts to look a bit more reasonable. Add in the performance gains and fuel savings and you will quickly pay for the system based on operational savings alone.

Zach

[Christopher Hufnagel]

Zach,
Thanks for the reply and thoughts. You are correct, my plane is turbo and I have not heard the comment on the fuel savings being significantly less for the turbos at altitude. We typically fly between 10k and 17k so I appreciate your sharing that. It still sounds like a good system to add. I appreciate both your comments and Jim's. I think I am going to proceed with the upgrade... I'm looking forward to seeing the results!

Fly safe-
chris