Where does the voltage for a CDI come from?
The input to the CDI unit is derived from two sources of the alternator. One source is a low voltage around 12 volts while the other input is taken from the relatively high voltage tap of the alternator, generating around a 100 volts.
How does a ground ESP work on a CDI?
Opening up the connections between these outputs and the CDI unit accomplishes the same thing, I would prefer shorting to ground esp., for the low level signal from the trigger output,a long lead would be connected to the CDI trigger input and a spurious signal could conceivably blow up the input device.
Why are CDI ignition systems used on IC engines?
There appears to be a lot of misunderstanding and confusion about the capacitor discharge ignition systems used today on most small IC engines. The reason for the popularity of CDI systems is that they are easier to miniaturize than the old fashioned but rugged magneto setups as found for instance on the B&S lawn mowers.
How does a CDI pulse transformer ignition system work?
In a CDI ignition system,a storage capacitor is charged to a high voltage (a few hundred volts) by the flywheel charging coil and, at the proper moment quickly discharged into the primary winding of the ignition coil,which is actually a stepup pulse-transformer.
The input to the CDI unit is derived from two sources of the alternator. One source is a low voltage around 12 volts while the other input is taken from the relatively high voltage tap of the alternator, generating around a 100 volts.
Opening up the connections between these outputs and the CDI unit accomplishes the same thing, I would prefer shorting to ground esp., for the low level signal from the trigger output,a long lead would be connected to the CDI trigger input and a spurious signal could conceivably blow up the input device.
There appears to be a lot of misunderstanding and confusion about the capacitor discharge ignition systems used today on most small IC engines. The reason for the popularity of CDI systems is that they are easier to miniaturize than the old fashioned but rugged magneto setups as found for instance on the B&S lawn mowers.
In a CDI ignition system,a storage capacitor is charged to a high voltage (a few hundred volts) by the flywheel charging coil and, at the proper moment quickly discharged into the primary winding of the ignition coil,which is actually a stepup pulse-transformer.