Of all the E-MAG innovations, the self-powering capability of the "P" Model is the most significant.  It solves the largest single issue faced by all electronic ignitions - their need for an uninterruptible power supply.  Power back-up strategies that a) compromise ignition effectiveness, b) solve only half the problem, or c) require additional maintenance are less than ideal.  Next-Generation ignitions need a better solution.      

So what does a next-generation electrical back-up need to do?  

• Above all, it has to be reliable.  When it's needed, it has to work - period.  
• It should operate for as long as needed.  Whether it's the last 10 minutes of a Sunday pleasure flight, or you're crossing the Atlantic. 
• It should be maintenance-free.  Benign neglect should not prevent it from working. 
• On the rare occasion it's needed, it should automatically engage without operator intervention. 
• A simple and convenient pre-flight check should confirm it's working properly. 

Our P model ignition has an internal three phase brushless alternator that produce enough power to sustain the ignition when the engine is turning 800 rpm, or more.   If the aircraft buss voltage goes off-line, the ignition has an internal alternator.  With this arrangement, dual electronic ignitions can be run "clean".  No back-up batteries and no back-up magnetos.

The P Model Built-In Alternator:

• Adds no (zero) mechanical contact/wear parts to the system.

• Adds only a few ounces of weight.

• Requires no additional hardware to install. 

• Will operate as long as the engine is turning.

"Next-Generation"  means improving on products that came before.  Prior to the P model, electronic ignitions addressed the risk of electrical power loss by:

1. Installing back-up batteries, together with switching circuits, to A) engage the back-up battery when needed, and possibly B) keep the back-up battery charged.  This solution:
   1. Adds wiring, switches, and batteries not part of the ignition kit typically provided by the manufacturer.  

   2. Adds installation complexity.

   3. Adds maintenance.

   4. Offers a finite interval of back-up power. 

   5. Offers marginal confidence insofar as batteries are not known for unquestioned reliability.  

2. Converting only one ignition to electronic, and maintain one magneto as a power failure back-up. This solution:

   1. Compromises the advantages of variable ignition timing and dual spark.  Most of the time, mag timing (fixed) will fire before or after an electronic ignition using variable timing.  Aircraft engines are designed for simultaneous firing from two plugs.  Firing on one plug is not optimal.

   2. Compromises the maintenance advantage of electronic ignitions.  The owner has the same inspection, maintenance, and cost components as before, albeit for one vs. two magnetos.

3. Maintaining dual magnetos and piggy-back an electronic ignition on each.  In the event of electrical power loss, both ignitions can revert to magneto operation.  This solution:
   1. Doesn't reduce the maintenance associated with magnetos.  It adds what ever (minimal) attention is required for the electronic side.
   2. Doesn't eliminate underlying reliability issues associated with magnetos.  
   3. Doesn't streamline the cost and complexity of the ignition package, as a whole.  It makes it more complicated and much more expensive to produce. 
   4. Requires spark plug gaps be set so magnetos are able to fire.  A key advantage of electronic ignitions is the ability to increase spark plug gap to nearly double that of a magneto. You can't do that if your power back-up plan has the plug firing from a magneto.  

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E-MAG Ignitions (TM)

2014 Greg Street, Suite 112, Azle, Texas 76020 

Copyright 2006.  All products, features, and prices are subject to change without notice.