SPARKY-2: A Modern Programmable CDI Ignition Kit
Sparky-2 was born from the open source project Programmable Open Source CD Ignition PIC1840 located on the RC Groups forum. It has newer electronic parts and is a semi surface mounted device board. It comes in 2 flavours, 1 is a basic board that has only the parts needed to get the job done. The second is what I call a all-in-board which has noise filtering on the signal in and temperature compensation. The temperature compensation will retard the timing to prevent knock and to lower the engine temperature on hot days. Sparky-2 also uses a new HV (High Voltage) board but, this HV board is mostly SMD parts.
Sparky-2 has as many parts as possible as through hole (PTH) so that the user can solder up their board. There are some parts that are SMD (surface mounted devices) but, these will be soldered onto the board so you don't have to worry about them. The kit will contain all the parts needed to complete the boards. As for pricing, that has not been set yet.
The main features of Sparky-2:
- Fully programmable ignition curve using included software that works on any Windows computer.
- Serial and ICSP communications for programming.
- Whole circuit runs off 5.0 volts.
- Use 6.0 volt to 18 volt battery power.
- Adjustable high voltage output with feedback circuit.
- Adjustable power output use only as much as you need and save battery power.
- Adjustable frequency to match transformer uH and inductive reactance (XL).
- Voltage regulator cuts out when battery voltage goes down below 5.5 volts.
- No complicated circuits, excellent way to learn SMPS and CDI ignitions.
- Easily modified to fire twin even firing engines.
- Includes instructions on use and circuit explaination.
Batteries you can use:
Use a 500maH or greater capacity battery, the circuit will draw a max of 1500ma if you let it but, a current of 500ma or less is normal. I use a regulator so you can use 6 - 18 volt NiCad, NiMH, Lithium Ion / Poly / LiFe but, you should use a volt monitor so you don't wreck the batteries. A battery voltage as close to 6.0 volts is best to reduce heating of the regulator but, with higher voltage & maH you can fly longer (hours) before recharging. The regulator is a surface mount device and is a LDO (Low Drop Out) linear regulator that cuts out at 5.3 volts. Recommended battery volt range is 6.0 to 13.5 volts.
Any question just email me rrichter@unimatrixtech.com.
