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July 12th, 2008

Hello:

The state of the art ProSpark ignition systems are produced by a good friend of mine, Duarte Cabral. For several years I sold the ProSpark ignition systems.

Because of personal reasons, Duarte had to stop production of his products. He is now back into the production of his new and improved ProSpark product line. In the last few days, we have already processed several orders for his products. One order going to South Africa.

Nelson Hobby is the exclusive ProSpark sales agent for the hobby industry. I will process all the orders and provide technical support. I will be glad to answer most any questions that are of a non-electronic theory or design nature. I know how it works and how to set it up, but I don't understand electronically how the electronics are designed.

Jerry Nelson

ProSpark is an electronic advance spark ignition system with no moving parts or linkages. An exclusive patented micro computer processor automatically controls the spark timing. It can be used with any two cycle or four cycle engine that uses a standard glow plug or spark plug. Single cylinder, twin cylinder, and four cylinder engines can all be equipped with a ProSpark ignition.

ProSpark ignition systems will give the user's engine a lower, smoother, and more reliable idle. The high speed performance of the engine will most likely improve due to the ability to get the proper spark advance setting for the engine.

ProSpark equipped engines can be run with either glow fuel (methanol) or regular unleaded gasoline, the same as you put in your car. The Super Tiger 90 and larger Super Tigre glow engines can be operated with gasoline and still use their standard carburetor. Because of ProSpark's electronic advance design, low cost home made methanol glow fuel can be used with other glow engines that have been converted to a ProSpark ignition system and get the same if not greater power. Replacement pumper type chain saw type gasoline carburetor (Walbro) is available for selected engines.

Fuel consumption on gasoline, with an oil mix ratio of 15 to 1, for the same level of performance, is half that of glow fuel. Now, a much smaller gas tank can be used. An additional bonus if a smaller tank were used, there will be less of a center of gravity change from a full tank to an empty one.

The reduced center of gravity change cuts down the amount of elevator neutral change as the fuel is consumed during the flight. If a pumper type of carburetor is used (Walbro type), the gas tank can be located at or very close the center of gravity with no change of elevator neutral during the course of the flight.

The savings in the weight of using gasoline and a smaller tank can offset the additional weight of the ProSpark system. On larger installations, there can be an actual weight savings.

Maximum engine power is obtained because the spark advance setting is adjusted electronically by turning a potentiometer (a rheostat type device) with a screw driver while the engine is running. This usually results in more power from the engine.

Starting of the ProSpark equipped engine is easier because the engine is started with the piston at top dead center in the retarded spark position. There are no thrown propellers or kick backs.

The engine idle performance is improved dramatically due to the efficiency of the spark ignition. No glow plugs to cool down or get filled with raw fuel. No on board glow drivers are necessary to get a reliable low speed and low speed vibration is greatly reduced. And, there is no external booster battery or electric starter needed to start the engine.

The average modeler can easily install the ProSpark ignition system with commonly available hobby tools.

The system operates on a standard 4 cell Nicad battery pack. A 1200 MAH pack or larger is recommended. Total weight of the system with a 1200 mah battery pack is 8 ounces. Battery duration with a 1200 mah battery is approximately 1 1/2 hours or serven flights of 15 minute duration. Usually this is longer than your standard type transmitter will last without recharging.

ProSpark ignitions have been used by Reno Style pylon race competitors in the Biplane, Formula I, and Unlimited class events. ProSpark's are have been used in the prestigious Tournament Of Champion (TOC) aerobatic competition that used to be held in Las Vegas. Competitors who fly in these big money competitions, demand only the best.

Sport modelers want the best in reliability too. The last thing a sport flyer needs is engine trouble. Their engines must start easily, safely, and have excellent low speed performance. 90 to 108 size engines equipped with ProSpark ignitions will dramatically reduce fuel cost with the use of auto gas.

A Super Tigre 90 using gasoline for fuel and a ProSpark, will operate at factory specifications at high RPM's and idle below 1800 RPM. Fuel consumption is ery low and will run over 20 minutes at high speed with a 16 ounce gas tank. How's that for performance and economy?

Reason for longer durations with gasoline fuel is the energy density of gasoline is much higher than what is found in methanol glow fuel. Therefore, the gasoline engine fuel mixture is much leaner than with glow fuel. Many glow plug engine carburetor cannot properly adjust the needle valve with the leaner fuel flow rates. However, the larger Super Tigre carburetor work fine.

Walbro diaphragm pump carburetors are used on engines that don't have suitable gasoline usable carburetor. Not all engines can be adapted for the Walbro carburetor.

Another advantage of gasoline is the lack of corrosion during long term storage or lack of use of the engine . Engine duration with Pro-Spark equipped engines using methanol based glow fuel is the same as normal glow fuel use.

Magneto equipped engines (Zenoha, Quadra, etc.) can have their performance and safety of operation improved as well. These type of engines require that the propeller be flipped quite briskly in order for the magneto to generate sufficient park to cause the engine to start. Some of these engine even have a some what dangerous, spring starter to assist in the starting process.

The installation of a ProSpark ignition in the magneto equipped engines allows for easy starting since the spark is provided by battery power instead of muscle power. The idle is excellent and the high speed is optimized easily due to the electronic spark advance adjustment provided. The magneto assembly can be partially or completely removed resulting in a significant net weight reduction and easily offsetting the weight of the ProSpark ignition system.

ProSpark is manufactured by Cabral Systems Inc.,and sold exclusively by Nelson Hobby Specialties.