LIGHT SPEED ENGINEERING PLASMA SYSTEMS

Light Speed Engineering, LLC (LSE) is a pioneer in the design and production of ignition systems for experimental aircraft. 22 years of research and development have been invested in producing the PLASMA CDI (Capacitive Discharge Ignition) system product line. LSE's PLASMA CD systems are the ideal replacement for yesterday's magneto technology. You can replace one mag with a PLASMA CDI or, for maximum performance, replace both magnetos with these state of the art systems. The Plasma CDI is a solid-state, high performance ignition system intended for today's home built aircraft. Light Speed Engineering currently offers two Capacitive Discharge Ignition Systems: the PLASMA II PLUS and the PLASMA III. Standard Plasma CDI kits include: direct crank sensor assembly, high tension leads, harness, spark plugs, spark plug adapters, and ignition coils with mounting bracket. One or two systems can be used. PLASMA II PLUS Capacitive Discharge Ignition System The PLASMA II PLUS is a distributorless Capacitor Discharge Ignition system designed to replace the archaic magnetos on aircraft engines. Like all Light Speed Engineering ignition systems, the PLASMA II PLUS features automatic ignition advance based on engine load and RPM, auto retard for starting and a standard pulse tachometer output. All PLASMA II PLUS Capacitor Discharge Ignition systems have the following options installed: Key-Switch Option The key switch option built into the PLASMA II PLUS allows the use of a standard aircraft key switch to turn the system on and off. A single conductor shielded wire is routed to the key switch just like the P-Lead from a magneto. Connecting the center-conductor with its shield at the key switch disables the PLASMA CDI without drawing any current. Timing Output The timing output enables the pilot to monitor the ignition timing of the system at all times of operation. A digital voltmeter or a designated digital mV display can be used to display the actual timing down to 1/10th of a degree. During startup this display would typically read 00.00 degrees, at high power conditions it will show approx. 25 degrees and during low power operations it will show as much as 42 degrees of timing advance. Should there be an electronic malfunction inside the ignition system it would be reflected by erroneous timing indications.* RPM Output Included in the options of the PLASMA II PLUS is a built in analog tachometer output. This provides RPM information for a mV meter. 0.3 volts represent 3,000 RPM, .0 v = 0 RPM.* Absolute Manifold Pressure Output The manifold pressure display option uses the calibrated and temp compensated manifold pressure information of the PLASMA CDI and allows it to be displayed on a digital mV meter.* 5V Power Supply Output If a permanent digital LCD display is used in the cockpit for any or all of the display options, the PLASMA CDI has a 5V power output to run the display. Thus, no extra wires need to be run from the electrical bus. Potentiometer Option A potentiometer can be used to bias the timing curve in flight from the cockpit. This option is primarily useful for engine testing and racing applications. Caution, this feature allows the pilot to retard and over-advance the ignition timing, thus, potentially harming the engine and ruining your day. Interconnect Link The interconnect feature connects two PLASMA II CDI ignition systems together. If one system is disabled, the one remaining in operation will automatically readjust the timing curve for optimum power with a single system. It is not necessary to use this feature but it is helpful to optimize performance if only one ignition system is used due to an alternator failure. With the interconnect feature in use there is virtually no ignition drop when each system is turned off. Otherwise, a normal ignition drop-off occurs during system tests. PLASMA III Capacitive Discharge Ignition System Plasma III CDI with Direct Crank Sensor Plasma III CDI with Hall Effect Module Light Speed Engineering has introduced a new ignition system to its line of products. The new Plasma III Capacitor Discharge System is the latest high performance ignition for all 4-cyl and 6-cyl aircraft engines. Its long duration spark and optimized timing curve makes more horsepower and improves fuel efficiency- at all altitudes. Other benefits include quick starts, reduced maintenance, light weight, lower EGT’s and up to 20% more range. As with all LSE ignitions, RPM and manifold pressure inputs are used for our proprietary timing curves. The Plasma III is also capable of displaying the current timing advance, manifold pressure and rpm on an optional lightweight LCD display. The Plasma III can easily replace one or both magnetos, making your engine run better under all conditions. DUAL PLASMA Capacitive Discharge Ignition Systems The benefits of installing a dual electronic ignition system are numerous. -An additional 5% gain in fuel efficiency. When running at sea level and 2,500 rpm, a single PLASMA CDI will yield approximately 10% gain in fuel efficiency. A dual PLASMA CDI system will generate approximately 15% gain in fuel efficiency when run at the same settings. As altitude increases, fuel burn decreases and the benefits of installing a dual ignition system become more and more significant. -An additional 2% gain in horsepower. When running at sea level and 2,500 rpm, a single PLASMA CDI will generally produce 4% more horsepower than a mag. A dual PLASMA CDI installation will produce approximately 6% more horsepower compared to two magnetos. -Increased engine smoothness. When a second ignition system is installed, engine smoothness is noticeably improved. Plasma Capacitive Discharge Ignition Systems All Plasma CDI systems include: high tension leads, harness, spark plugs, spark plug adapters, ignition coils with mounting bracket, and Hall Effect Sensor module OR Direct Crank Sensor assembly. Description Part No. Price Buy Plasma II Plus: 4 Cylinder Direct Crank Sensor 08-06294 $1075.00 Plasma II Plus: 4 Cylinder Hall Effect Module 08-06295 $1275.00 Plasma III: 4 Cylinder Direct Crank Sensor 08-00675 $1363.00 Plasma III: 4 Cylinder Hall Effect Module 08-00676 $1556.00 Plasma III: 6 Cylinder Direct Crank Sensor 08-00677 $1450.00 Dual Plasma CDI Systems Dual Plasma II Plus: 4 Cylinder Direct Crank Sensor 08-06296 $2115.00 Dual Plasma II Plus: 4 Cylinder Hall Effect Module 08-06297 $2495.00 Dual Plasma III: 4 Cylinder Direct Crank Sensor 08-06298 $2649.00 Dual Plasma III: 4 Cylinder Hall Effect Module 08-06299 $2995.00 Dual Plasma III: 6 Cylinder Direct Crank Sensor 08-06300 $2895.00 Options On all Turbo and Super-Charged ignition systems add $124.95 08-06301 $124.95 On all Franklin and Continental engine ignition systems add $194.99 08-06302 $194.99