Craig:

You have an excellent wish list. The system I'm waiting on will do the things you listed as well. I'd forgotten to mention them. It starts out with the timing near TDC for the first pop, then sets it as needed to hold the optimal thetaPP. Each cylinder will run on it's own constantly changing timing. It keeps track of voltage requirements on the ignition system, essential and non-essential buses and shuts them down in order of necessity as loads dictate (which, so far is when we turn off the main alternator!). It will continue to run on very low voltage, does not require an extra battery, and the standby alternator is self exciting. It warns of CHT and TIT limits and is hoped to have a low oil LEVEL warning capability at some point if the sensor technology is worked out to the picky standards of the designer. Pretty cool.

The issue of hot starts is a difficult one since the problem is with the engine-driven fuel pump and not the ignition system. It's hard for an ignition system to address the temperature of the engine-driven fuel pump <g>. The answer is easy and I never have any trouble with hot starts since once you cool the pump all starts are cold starts. That's how I handle it.

The system has been working flawlessly for some months and is in the final stages of sensor design and production. It will run on 1 of only six sensors, so dispatchability is very high. It is far lighter in weight than anything else available and works off of an incredibly small number of wires and connections as compared to other systems I've seen. If the electronics fail completely (very unlikely since it has multiple layers of redundancy), it works off of a mechanical system that I'd rather have as standard in place of mags. It is elegant. The pilot controls the mission requirements. It will not allow the engine to detonate. PERIOD. We have tried for several years to make the engine detonate with the system working. We have failed miserably. It will protect the engine from any stupid pilot trick accomplished with the engine controls. It will operate the engine safely ROP or LOP at any power setting. You choose, not the designer or manufacturer.

PRISM by General Aviation Modifications, Inc. (I want the first one, but I will have to fight for it. <g>)

Walter



On Feb 24, 2005, at 10:48 AM, Craig Berland wrote:

"The first system to address all of the above issues will get my
business and will likely be quite successful.  Short of fulfilling all
of those requirements, any system is fighting an up-hill battle in the
real world.  I have my eye on the system that does address all of these
concerns.  Walter"
 
Very well said...I agree 100%.  As a tiny bit of input to your very well thought
out design requirement.  System should produce instant starts hot, cold,
and everything in between without pilot input. Also it would be nice to have
onboard diagnostics and system outputs such as "low oil temp" audio and/or
flashing light, CHT and TIT shock warning, etc. Oh, and very aggressive
leaning on low power descents.  Walter, they would also get my business.
Can you tip who they might be...
 
Craig Berland