Eagler's Nest
Engines => 2 Cylinder => 1/2 vw => Topic started by: lazair2 on February 24, 2014, 07:26:28 PM
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I have a 1/2 VW with points. Should I switch to electronic ignition in the 009 distributor? I've watched several youtube video's and it seems to be an easy switch that should simplify the engine. Am I wrong?
Also, what are most folks setting as the timing for the half VW. Exact TDC or a few degrees BTDC?
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Leonard has a video on the 1/2 Vw that includes timing...
Steve Bennett (GPAS) sells the points replacement electronic device and would have the most knowledge from user experience on this topic... You will need to pop out two of the 4 driving magnets on the 1/2 and will benefit by using less battery to run the ignition...
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I would suggest to have the ignition set for exactly TDC... Be VERY CAREFUL if you advance the ignition much at all as having to hand prop your engine can hurt you if you start from the rear and wrap your finger tips over the trailing edge of the prop and have it kick back at you!!! I have the broken fingers to prove it!
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I would suggest to have the ignition set for exactly TDC... Be VERY CAREFUL if you advance the ignition much at all as having to hand prop your engine can hurt you if you start from the rear and wrap your finger tips over the trailing edge of the prop and have it kick back at you!!! I have the broken fingers to prove it!
Have you actually broken fingers or just gotten wacked real hard that it sure felt like you broke them?
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I havent been to a Dr. or had X-rays but knowing the deformity of my fingers and the lack of ability to close my fingers almost to the extent I can't fire my .40 cal. weapon during target practice tells me something was broke or at least partially shattered!! It has been four months since Reklaw and my hand STILL hurts!
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The electronic ignition for the 009 simply replaces the points and condenser with a solid state switch triggered by a small magnet. Setting the timing is a dilemma if you are hand propping. You would like the advance set to zero for starting. If you do that you will not get 30 degrees of advance from the 009. So now it is a trade-off between zero and 7 degrees or so for static timing. You can see the amount of advance the 009 is doing with a timing light and 1500 rpm or so.
Guideline for hand prop starting is avoid too much spark advance, wear leather gloves, do not wrap the fingers around the prop blade. Also mount the prop so it is in the right position relative to one cylinder firing. Maybe you start with the prop at 1 oclock and have the cylinder fire when the prop is at 4 oclock. You can use the flat of your hand to push the prop blade from up to down as you are ready to back out of the way. I have experienced the wrong way to do it. Engine fired backwards and the prop got my hand. I had no gloves, timing was too advanced, I had wrapped my fingers around the blade. I am pretty sure it broke the bone in my index finger. Now the finger is a little crooked and has a more limited range of motion and some numbness. I am just thankful that I still have all the fingers and still functional. It is too easy to forget that safety should be first before doing something dangerous.
That is why we want our ultralight to get some altitude and we always have a place land with no power. Plan ahead.
Norm Heistand my .02
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The electronic ignition for the 009 simply replaces the points and condenser with a solid state switch triggered by a small magnet. Setting the timing is a dilemma if you are hand propping. You would like the advance set to zero for starting. If you do that you will not get 30 degrees of advance from the 009. So now it is a trade-off between zero and 7 degrees or so for static timing. You can see the amount of advance the 009 is doing with a timing light and 1500 rpm or so.
Guideline for hand prop starting is avoid too much spark advance, wear leather gloves, do not wrap the fingers around the prop blade. Also mount the prop so it is in the right position relative to one cylinder firing. Maybe you start with the prop at 1 oclock and have the cylinder fire when the prop is at 4 oclock. You can use the flat of your hand to push the prop blade from up to down as you are ready to back out of the way. I have experienced the wrong way to do it. Engine fired backwards and the prop got my hand. I had no gloves, timing was too advanced, I had wrapped my fingers around the blade. I am pretty sure it broke the bone in my index finger. Now the finger is a little crooked and has a more limited range of motion and some numbness. I am just thankful that I still have all the fingers and still functional. It is too easy to forget that safety should be first before doing something dangerous.
That is why we want our ultralight to get some altitude and we always have a place land with no power. Plan ahead.
Norm Heistand my .02
Attached is Scott Casler's direction on mounting props & the external counter weight on 1/2 Vw's...
Leonard Milholland sells a video which includes how to time the engine for tame starting results...
Testing the timing performance effect by those interested in performance have found no value in timing past 26 degress BTDC at sea level...
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Hi Guys,
the electronic modgule in the 009 distrubitor is not simplflying any thing just more complex. What is simpler than a set of points? the points will give you a lot of signals before it quits. the points can close up due to rubbing block wear. and can be easily adjusted to restore correct running. caution if you readjust the points you change the timing so re check that. Leonard