Custom Ignition Design

[JimKueneman]

Yea you can buy these but what I wanted was not really available so I am designing my own that will fit in my stock 318 distributor and have full support for adding a custom advance curve, RPM cutout, adjustable to minimize the dwell based on RPM to keep thermal stresses low on the coil and driver IC, UART interface for loading new parameters and stream data log to a computer, and what ever else I think of.

Keeps me out of trouble.

 

[kowalski]

Video didn't play for me?

 

[Speedbird]

There has to be a coffee cup joke in this somewhere.
When you say "pick" what does that translate too?
I'm thinking "relay"?
But I see an IC.

(If this is your proprietary information, just disregard my questions)

 

[JimKueneman]

There has to be a coffee cup joke in this somewhere.
When you say "pick" what does that translate too?
I'm thinking "relay"?
But I see an IC.

(If this is your proprietary information, just disregard my questions)

It is my ceramic high voltage insulator, it would spark to the table without it.

Ha ha, nope I am just experimenting and learning.

http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/en/PIC24F32KA301
http://www.st.com/content/ccc/resou...df/jcr:content/translations/en.CD00286429.pdf

 

[Billccm]

When you say "pick" what does that translate too?

Jim is mentioning the PIC24 when he said "PIC". "PIC" is Microchip's designation for Processor Integrated Circuit.

 

[Billccm]

Have you done any brownout/cranking experiments? You've got a great set up to put that circuit through some stresses and voltage changes. Honda has a cranking waveform that starts at 14, drops to 6V for for 200ms, then 9V for 3s, and a slow ramp back to 14. The SAE cranking waveform is 14V with a 9 to 12V squarewave for a few seconds.

 

[JimKueneman]

Have you done any brownout/cranking experiments? You've got a great set up to put that circuit through some stresses and voltage changes. Honda has a cranking waveform that starts at 14, drops to 6V for for 200ms, then 9V for 3s, and a slow ramp back to 14. The SAE cranking waveform is 14V with a 9 to 12V squarewave for a few seconds.

A few. I hace put a lot of safeguards in the code to make sure the IGBT gets turned off but that relies on the micro not browning out. It is so low power I should add a hold up circut to ride through but 200ms is a long time but is is only a 5v circuit. It should stay up and running.

 

[Billccm]

I think the 5V regulator has droupout around 7V?

 

[JimKueneman]

I think the 5V regulator has droupout around 7V?

Good point. The trade between high voltage input and dropout

 

[JimKueneman]

Probably should have an ADC Sampling the Battery V and do something smart

 

[Billccm]

When I worked in Automotive Applications Honda was my toughest customer (much more stringent than Toyota, Delphi, etc). They had some tall qualification tests to meet (and it shows in their products).

I like the ADC sample idea. It is free, so why not use that PIC to it's fullest potential?

 

[JimKueneman]

I like the ADC sample idea. It is free, so why not use that PIC to it's fullest potential?

Yup

 

[451Mopar]

Looks like a fun project. I only glanced at the specs, looks to have a good operating temp range.

 

[threewood]

Picture of Jim in his laboratory. ....

That looks interesting. I just wish I had a clue about what you and Bill are talking about lol.

 

[JimKueneman]

Picture of Jim in his laboratory. ....
View attachment 542949

 

[RJRENTON]

Jim,
Excellent articles re the components that may be used in ignition systems. I really liked the info re IGBT devices and coil charging algorithms and waveforms....interesting. I'm also an EE from Penn State University...many years ago. I use to use a slide rule to calculations especially 3rd and 5th order harmonics during short circuit conditions...yes a slide rule...b4 hand held calculators became popular. I used IGBT transistors in the application of high voltage (6kv) VFD motor control for a 1000hp fan drive.
PS.....do you need any venture capital to get your design off the drawing board / experimental stage to prototype testing and ultimately production.....unless Holley/MSD comes along and offers a zillion $$$$ ...... make sure your dedign is patented....then sell license to manufacturer. Keep us informed as to your progress.
Best regards,
Bob Renton

 

[JimKueneman]

Jim,
Excellent articles re the components that may be used in ignition systems. I really liked the info re IGBT devices and coil charging algorithms and waveforms....interesting. I'm also an EE from Penn State University...many years ago. I use to use a slide rule to calculations especially 3rd and 5th order harmonics during short circuit conditions...yes a slide rule...b4 hand held calculators became popular. I used IGBT transistors in the application of high voltage (6kv) VFD motor control for a 1000hp fan drive.
PS.....do you need any venture capital to get your design off the drawing board / experimental stage to prototype testing and ultimately production.....unless Holley/MSD comes along and offers a zillion $$$$ ...... make sure your dedign is patented....then sell license to manufacturer. Keep us informed as to your progress.
Best regards,
Bob Renton

Thanks Rob, I'm just playing around for my own learning. I use to design HV systems for TWT radar transmitters so this HV stuff is fun ;)

 

[Billccm]

[Qalmost E="JimKueneman, post: 910823697, member: 24597"]Thanks Rob, I'm just playing around for my own learning. I use to design HV systems for TWT radar transmitters so this HV stuff is fun ;)[/QUOTE]
I almost took a test engineer position with a traveling wave tube manufacturer. They told me that they recently had a causality on one of the hv test benches. I declined the job offer.

 

[451Mopar]

Anyone know a good source for affordable linear encoders

Thanks Rob, I'm just playing around for my own learning. I use to design HV systems for TWT radar transmitters so this HV stuff is fun ;)

You guys work at Raytheon or something ;)

 

[JimKueneman]

Anyone know a good source for affordable linear encoders


You guys work at Raytheon or something ;)

Possibility