How electronic ignition works and also how to make a spark plug play music
Electronic ignition systems have advanced from distributor-based to ECU-controlled setups, eliminating the distributor for precise ignition timing managed by the ECU through sensors. Enthusiasts used Arduino to experiment with ignition coils, showcasing creative automotive technology applications.
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Electronic ignition systems have evolved from electromechanical distributor-based systems to modern ECU-controlled setups. In distributor-based systems, the distributor triggers the ignition coil to generate sparks at the right moment for combustion. Electronic systems have eliminated the distributor, with the ECU managing ignition timing through sensors. Modern ignition coils have multiple terminals, including ones for ignition trigger and feedback connected to the ECU. By experimenting with an ignition coil and an Arduino board, enthusiasts were able to control spark frequency and even play musical notes by triggering the coil rapidly. While a musical ignition coil may not have practical use, the concept of using Arduino to control ignition coils has led to projects like Speeduino, an open-source ECU system. This innovative approach showcases the potential for creative applications in automotive technology.
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12 commentsIn helium, though...[2]
[1] https://teslascience.wordpress.com/making-a-music-playing-pl...
Some Siemens engineers decided that if they couldn't get rid of locomotive startup leaking into the audio bands, they might as well make it sound like they meant to be playing it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpMxETSV4K8
And using that definition, we've had electronic ignition commonly put in cars since the 70s. Distributor, or lack thereof, has nothing to do with that definition.
Very similar physics behave in classic neon lamps - they use short high voltage impulse to ignite plasma, then much less voltage to support it.
So one could make two circuits - one (already existed), will provide enough power to "cold start", other will just provide modulated from waveform voltage (probably, something like pwm).
Sure, second circuit should be fast enough to be in time with sound, but again, as I said, need much less voltage.
I cannot provide exact numbers now, but as I hear, for spark plug like gap at atmosphere pressure, need few kilovolts to spark plasma, and may be within 1Kv to support plasma.
In ICE pressure is much higher, because of this, in electronic ignition usually used up to 100Kv to make spark.
If you could make low pressure environment, ~ 1/100 of atmosphere at sea level, you could probably limit to few hundreds volts for all.
Otherwise this is a great article.
It's going to be next to impossible to tune an engine properly if the spark location wanders around a few mm for no reason.
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