Re: How do Atom Computer Ignition modules work?

[legendre]

@johnnyrude

Per the scope shots on the preceding pages, and my experiences trying to work with a breadboarded module, it seems they do have somewhat stringent requirements in terms of the powering / triggering waveform.

Sines will trigger my test module, but the coil won’t spark and the power transistor heats up, though not badly at the levels I was running. I haven’t done any work with it since that first go, so I don’t have much else to report.

I suspect that a proper benchtop test for these modules would require some custom instrumentation – in particular, a power amplifier driven by an appropriate (programmable?) signal waveform that approximates the critical characteristics of the magneto primary waveform. A sine alone will not cut it, but a tailored rectangular pulse train +may+ suffice. More testing is needed, and I don’t know if I have the equipment on hand to proceed much further.

One crazy idea.. capture the voltage waveform from an actual magneto, and use that to drive an audio power amp, which in turn drives a coil / module system. No reason it should not work, but it would require some screwing around to find out!