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Plasma CD Ignition     

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Products Ignition Mini Sensor


last update:
January 25, 2016



LSE's

MINI SENSOR
DIRECT CRANK SENSOR TRIGGERING DEVICE
for Plasma II, Plasma II Plus, and Plasma III CD Ignition Systems

Light Speed Engineering is building on the proven performance of the Direct Crank Sensor design for the new DC Mini Sensor.  It uses the same Hall Effect Sensor technology we have used with great success for the past 14 years but is smaller, lighter and more robust integrated package.

Single Plasma systems use one Mini Sensor adjacent to the magnets in the magnet trigger ring.  The 4 and 6 cylinder Mini Sensors are the same and mounted in the same TDC location.  6 Cylinder systems use the same magnet ring but it has a different magnet pattern.

Dual Plasma systems use two Mini Sensors triggered by the same magnet ring.

The new DC Mini Sensor will work with all Plasma II, II Plus, and III CD ignition systems.  No changes required.

Below are pictures of the new Direct Crank Mini Sensor system designed at Light Speed Engineering.

LSE DC Mini Sensor and Trigger Ring. LSE  mini sensor installation.  Light Speed Engineering Plasma CDI electronic ignition systems- powering efficiency. DC Mini Sensor and Magnet Ring
LSE trigger ring for Lycoming mini sensor installation.  Designed to trigger LSE Plasma CDI electronic ignition systems- powering efficiency. On Lycoming Engines, a Magnet Ring is installed in the flywheel to provide the trigger for either a single or a dual Mini Sensor installation.

 

LSE DC Mini Sensor and Lycoming Mounting bracket. Designed for LSE Plasma CDI electronic ignition. DC Mini Sensor and Lycoming Mounting Bracket

The sensors are completely sealed and potted in their billet machined aluminum protective enclosures and mounted on stainless steel brackets. 

DC Mini Sensor Installed on a Lycoming 360 in John Lynch’s RV-4.

The Mini Sensor stainless steel mounting bracket fits to the engine crank case.

 

Lycoming Engine: 4-cyl Dual DC Mini Sensor Installation for LSE Plasma CDI electronic ignition

Lycoming Engine: 4-cylinder Dual DC Mini Sensor Installation

Single systems require only one Mini Sensor.  On dual 4 cylinder engine installations, there are two Mini Sensors at 180 degree intervals. On dual 6 cylinder installations, a second Mini Sensor is mounted 120 degrees from the first.

 

The mini sensor blocks can be mounted on almost any radius, which provides great flexibility in mounting options for all engine types.
 

Continental 6-cylinder Engines:

The following pictures are Mini Sensor parts and installation on a Continental 550 engine.  

DC Mini Sensor Magnet Ring for Continental 6-cyl. Engines
Single Mini Sensor Installed in the Top Position on Jerry Mercer's Continental 550 Questair Venture
The mounting bracket for the top position Mini Sensor on Jerry Mercer's Continental 550 Questair Venture
 

Continental O-200 Engines:

Continental O-200 Mini Sensor installation on the top of the engine.  The trigger magnet bracket is not installed in this picture in order to provide a clear view of the mini sensor mounting bracket. 
Top Mini Sensor on O-200 with the Trigger Magnet plate installed.
Mini Sensor installed on the bottom of the Continental O-200 to provide the trigger to the second system in a Dual Plasma CDI installation.  On Dual 4-cylinder installations, there are two mini sensors installed at 180 degree intervals.  

 

Jabiru Engines:

Here are pictures of the Dual Mini Sensor installation developed by Henri Malerba for his 240mph Vari Eze.

On Jabiru engines, the trigger magnets can be installed directly into the aluminum flywheel.  No Magnet Ring is needed.

Light Speed Engineering provides drawings for all Jabiru brackets.
LSE Mini Sensor: Original Jabiru Coil Mounts with LSE Mini Sensors Original Jabiru Coil Mounts with LSE Mini Sensors
LSE Mini Sensor: Jabiru Engine Installation Mini Sensor Facing the Aluminum Flywheel Jabiru Engine:
Mini Sensor Facing the Aluminum Flywheel
 

Franklin Engines:

Here are pictures of the Franklin Engine using the new DC Mini Sensor.

Mini Sensors are readily available but are not currently supplied with Franklin mounting brackets and magnet ring.  Light Speed Engineering provides drawings for all Franklin brackets and the magnet ring.

Franklin Engine 6-cyl installation of Dual Mini Sensors for LSE Plasma CDI electronic ignition Franklin Engine: 6-cylinder 
Dual DC Mini Sensor Installation

Integration to the Franklin Engine designed, installed, and photographed by John Burnaby.
 

 

Technical Description of the Mini Sensor Concept

The Mini Sensor consists of two billet aluminum machined halves that capture a small circuit board holding 3 Hall effect sensors at 0.250” spacing.  For environmental protection, they are completely sealed and potted.  On 4-cylinder engines, only the outer and middle sensors are used.

The Magnet Ring has two magnets installed on the same radius as the outer sensor.  Another two magnets are installed on the same radius as the middle sensor (0.250” less). On 4-cylinder Magnet Rings, this second set of magnets is located 180 degrees from the first set.  On 6-cylinder Magnet Rings, this second set of magnets is located 120 degrees from the first set.  Additionally, 6-cylinder Magnet Rings have another two magnets mounted on the same radius as the third (inner) sensor (0.250” less than the second pair and 0.50” less than the first pair).  This third set of magnets is located 240 degrees from the first set.

Mounting the Magnet Ring to the Lycoming flywheel requires drilling and tapping 6 holes.  For best precision this should be done on a CNC machine or on a precision fixture at  Light Speed Engineering.  The flywheel modification and magnet ring installation is $95 plus shipping.  Alternatively, pre-drilled flywheels are available for purchase from Continental Motors, formerly ECi, or Lycoming Thunderbolt division upon request.

 


 



 

 

 

 

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