1/28/14: POINTS to CDI Conversion module:
Yes…I’m working on a points to CDI converter module as we speak. It has a few more options as well. I’m way behind time-wise, so don’t expect anything this year. My intention is to develop an MSD-type module, that uses the conventional points to trigger a high-voltage CDI module. This will provide a high-energy ignition spark to all the older engines that use points.
If a lighting coils is available, I may not need a battery, still working on that. Else a small RC-car type battery should do it.
The plan is for easy installation. Disconnect the coil wire, connect it to the module. Connect Ground to the module & the Yellow lighting wire (or battery) or both, last the kill-switch wire. Then replace the points-type coil with a CDI coil. Bolt the module under the seat or under the hood & go.
Other options that I mentioned. There is (2) small adjustment trimmers that the user has control over. One trimmer determines when the CDI begins to RETARD the timing. The other trimmer determines how-much (degrees) the timing is retarded over the RPM range. An LED indicated when the module starts retarding.
Adjustments can be made with a small screwdriver…no laptop of computer to play with. This is what has been the hold up for me offering programmable timing boxes. I have had programmable ignitions available (even running at Eagle River) since 2003, but most vintage snowmobilers do not want to deal with connecting a laptop to a 45 year old sled. Many vintage snowmobilers absolutely hate computers. Trying to get around that & keep size down & cost down (and no time to do it) has been the issues until now.
The intention is to allow upgraded CDI-type ignition to all older points / condenser engines without costly machining of existing engine components. Especially when many want to keep it as original as possible. This will be a non-intrusive way & can easily be changed back in 20 minutes if ever needed, without any special tools.
I am building prototypes now & plan to test them this year & through the summer. It is designed for single cylinders (292 fan & F/A Yamahas, Hirths, Sach’s, even your Olympic or Elan), but I have the option of using on 2-cylinder engines as well. Another advantage is it will also work (a version of it) on engines that already have cDI’s / stators now.
For example, my 440 Trail-Twister can use a version that allows the standard Stator to connect, then the programmable “curve” can be used with the integral CDI output. So engines like the Kohler Trail-Twister, 74/75 Sno-Twister, Yamaha GPX, Exciters, SS440 can use their existing stator & take advantage of the timing curve & CDI output.
People have been asking for this for years. I have been kicking around a design since 2004 & finally found some things that I believe will work, and still also be user friendly for the Vintage market that usually contact me on these things. It won’t be all-things to everybody, but just that fact that it will offer a high-energy CDI conversion option to old points engines should be a huge benefit. The timing curve (which is a huge benefit to racers) likely will be the secondary selling point, when you understand how much better an engine runs after just a CDI high-energy ignition.
Testing will happen this winter & into next summer. Nothing will be available until I am happy with the design. I have mentioned this effort to a few people, so been getting a lot of e-mails & calls about it, so thought best to post an update. Will post updates as they happen…thanks
10/3/14: RECENT NEWS:
FIREPLUG CDI UPDATES: Fall is here & we have some updates to report for the coming season. During the off-season, we have located the original rubber plug connectors used on the OEM Yamaha & Polaris CDI’s. We have converted over to the original connectors on all the FIREPLUG models that use them. Our FIREPLUG CDI now match the OEM harness 100% for those using these connectors.
CDI PRICING & SHIPPING COSTS: You may notice we have eliminated the FREE Shipping that has existed since 1998 on our FIREPLUG CDI’s. I checked & we have not had a FIREPLUG CDI price increase since the 2003/2004 season. Shipping prices in 1998 were $3 in USA & $7.95 to Canada. Today it costs $5.95 in USA & $19.95 to ship to Canada. With electronic components, aluminum prices and copper wire costs increasing significantly every year, we took a massive hit the past few years by keeping our prices the same as 2003 with FREE shipping. It has been even more difficult to make improvements such as OEM connectors etc & not raise prices.
FUTURE BUSINESS PLAN: Many know the CDI ignitions are not a supporting business for me. I try my hardest to keep high-quality CDI’s & affordable costs for the vintage racer, trail-rider & hobbyist. If you ever wondered why we have no competition, it’s because there is absolutely no profit in designing CDI’s from scratch, then selling them under $300/each. My time doing this is basically FREE labor. No other business will get into this because it’s not a successful business model. Call me crazy.
With the majority of my attention directed towards my other business since April, I had briefly considered shutting down the FIREPLUG CDI efforts. After further consideration, I decided I enjoy the challenge & it’s actually like therapy to me (most of the time) after a stressful day. I decided to keep the CDI prices the same as they’ve been since 2003. Unfortunately, that now requires we start charging actual shipping costs. I have purchased a lot of components the past year for Jet-Ski’s, vintage Mustang, motorcycles, etc & do not recall ever getting FREE shipping, unless spending a huge $-amount once in a while on AMAZON. So guess if we want to remain in the CDI business, we also have to change with the times.
NEW PRODUCTS: If you have read the postings below, you will see we have introduced a couple of new products in the off-season. Nothing related to snowmobiles, so the interest for most may be minimal. However, we do have another project under development & testing should happen before the end of the year (time permitting). Without giving too much information away & not getting hopes up because it’s still in the works…I can say it is snowmobile related…mostly anyway. There will be interest from both the single-cyl & twin-cyl sleds who have yet experienced a FIREPLUG CDI. There may be interest from those who already have a FIREPLUG CDI, but recognize an advantage to be gained. I will give one last hint informing that testing will happen on 2 Kohler engines that I have available & one Yamaha from an outside source. Both Kohlers are single cylinders and the Yamaha is twin. Both Kohlers are points / condenser systems & Yamaha is a CDI. Oh yeah, almost forgot to mention, one Kohler is a 4-stroker. Watch for updates.
8/28/14: We now offer FIREPLUG CDI’s for the Yamaha 1979 ~ 1988 Golf Cart Model G1A: During our quest to solve all vintage CDI problems, we reluctantly elected to dig into a Golf-Cart CDI. The result is a FIREPLUG CDI to replace the J10-85540-20-00 OEM Mitsubishi CDI that is no longer available. The advantage is more energy for better starting & smoother running & reliability with 21st Century technology for your vintage golf-cart.
8/16/14: FIREPLUG CDI BOX for TD / TZ racing stator / rotor to convert over the RD250, RD250, RD350 & RD400 & TD / TZ motorcycles. We recently designed a FIREPLUG CDI box to replace the impossible to find stock Hitachi CDI unit for the Vintage Yamaha TD / TZ motorcycles. These Vintage bikes from the 70’s have been heavily raced for years, therefore fall into the same market as our CDI’s for snowmobiles. Don’t pay $300~$500 for a 40 year old CDI that was poor quality when new. Get the best for a fraction of the price with a full warranty!
5/1/2014: Just want to inform that filling CDI orders has slowed for us in the off season. Sorry for any delays & hopefully the additional time isn’t critical for anybody. I’ve made some changes in my full-time employment situation, which is taking some additional time to adjust to & get the new schedule settled. At this time, I do not foresee any issues for the future, but will see how things progress over the next few months leading up to the season.
3/8/2014: We would like to thank all our customers for this past season. With the addition of CDI models & more people hearing about our FIREPLUG CDI and stator services, our business increases every year. This year was no different. In the past year we shipped CDI’s to many states in the USA, including North Carolina, Texas & California. As suspected, a high percentage of our business is to our neighbors in Canada. We also sent CDI’s to Sweden, Norway & Finland and Australia. The PolarFireplug CDI’s has been a big success this past year, with over 50 units shipped out & still more demand when we ran out of coils. We are looking into other options for next season to better meet demand.
We did ship out some prototype CDI’s for field evaluation earlier this season. We typically use the feedback for final design of the new CDI’s for the following season. Unfortunately, we have received little to no feed-back on performance of these units. With no engineering feedback, we cannot go to production. We will have to re-evaluate our selection process for future field testing to reduce the chance of losing a full season on new product designs in the future.
Although I have many ideas for adding CDI’s to the product line & improvements to the existing products, as a one-man show, time to do it is a problem. I am at the point where growing the product line will take more time than I can do. I will re-evaluate the situation this off-season & best decide where to focus my future efforts.
During the summer months we still build & ship CDI’s, but the pace will be slower due to summer obligations. Usually ~2 weeks we can get things built & shipped, so please call before you need it! Thanks….Scott
2/8/2014: We will be closed 2/14~2/16 to attend the Snowmobile Hall of Fame Ride with the Champs event. This will be the first time I have attended this event, but have heard from those who have that it’s a great time. Looking forward to the weekend to have some fun riding & meeting up with those who were deeply involved with the snowmobile racing history. If any of you are also attending, please find me & say hello.