Superior Design= Superior Performance

Last Update: Sept. 11/24

***Mar. 7/24 The CPI-2 is now back in production and available.***

***Please note that SDS Aero products are only for use on Experimental/ amateur built aircraft. Not for use on certified aircraft.***

SDS CPI-2 Aviation Ignition System

The CPI-2 is the evolution of the original CPI aircraft electronic ignition system. CPI-2 builds to a large degree on customer feedback. People wanted a smaller panel footprint, over voltage protection, integrated LOP function, larger display, aviation standard keypad color, LCD dimming, aural warning output, automatic backup battery switchover with integrated battery solution and the ability to data log. These features along with others, makes CPI-2 the most capable Experimental aviation ignition system on the market.

CPI-2 kit for Lycoming 4 cylinder engine. No wiring harnesses shown but these are included.

CPI-2 kit for Lycoming 6 cylinder engine.

Advanced Features

Racetech/SDS has been selling EIs to the aviation market since 1997. We've built our reputation and business on reliable, affordable products and the best customer and tech support in the industry. You'll find us friendly, helpful and timely in our responses before and after the sale.

Note the CPI-2 should only be used with resistor type spark plugs and good quality, EMI/ RFI suppression type plug wires. Never use non-resistor plugs or solid core wires. We can supply quality MSD plug wire, boots and terminals to fit most engines.

Easy Programming and The Lean of Peak Switch Advantage

SDS introduced LOP timing advance to the Experimental EI market in 2015. While other aviation EIs give you a canned timing curve which is often secret and hard to adjust, usually requiring extra cost options to observe and change, SDS CPI makes basic timing adjustments quick and easy to do and our LOP switch optimizes ignition advance when running LOP. This feature extracts all possible energy from the fuel, picking up a few knots which are lost when running leaner mixtures.

Simple ignition curve programming in logical 100 rpm and 1 degree increments

Programmable LOP advance amount

The figure below illustrates how combustion flame speed changes with air/ fuel ratio.

Notice how much flame speed slows down with lean mixture here. The SDS LOP switch advances timing when you are running LOP to achieve peak cylinder pressure at the optimal point for best torque.

Notice how advanced or retarded timing affects the pressure vs. crankpin position curve. Unlike magnetos with fixed timing, CPI can deliver optimal ignition timing under all mixture, rpm and load conditions. EIs which cannot adjust timing when running LOP, lose efficiency compared with CPI

Available in both single and dual controller configurations

Optional backup battery detail. Tray kit is $140US not including battery. Order Powersonic battery PS-1227 from Amazon or Ebay.

Optional mounting tray detail

Battery and tray footprint is 5.25 long, 2.75 wide and 4.75" high

Please note, this battery will run a dual system for about 20 minutes at 2500 rpm in the event that the main alternator and main battery go down. If you need more power duration for your typical missions, we suggest you install a larger battery than this one and/or a second backup alternator.

More Screens

Panel mount programmer showing Gauge Mode. Size is 2.8 X 2.8 X 1.2 deep. Serial cables exit the back.

Displays main and backup battery voltage and shows which source is providing power.

Audio control window

Adjustable screen brightness

CPI-2 can log to a Windows device

Thermal imaging test of the PCB during development and testing phase

CPI-2 programmers under construction

Optional vacuum block kit gives smoothest possible vacuum signal to the controller by averaging and damping pressure pulses. 1/8NPT fittings screw into your primer or injector ports. Block mounts with Adel clamps to 3/4" engine mount tubes. 4 cyl. block kit (left) $50US. 6 cyl. block kit (right) $75US

Videos

CPI-2 Temperature testing CPI-2 programmer: https://youtu.be/1hzjaygmFJc

CPI-2 Hardware and basic features: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq8jIAEU27o&t=32s

CPI-2 running on our test Continental O-200 engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykeNFBLUYEg&feature=youtu.be

Please note: our magnet mounting system for Lycoming engines is not compatible with the Sky Dynamics lightweight flywheels, new Lycoming flywheels lacking the 12 tooling holes around the periphery or factory dual pulley groove flywheels. We do have a solution for Airflow Systems aftermarket flywheels for driving a/c compressors.

Documentation

CPI2 programmer panel drawing updated Mar. 15/18

CPI2 installation manual updated April 21/20

CPI2 hardware installation manual updated Mar. 20/22

CPI2 pinout list updated Nov. 7/19

Lycoming 4 cylinder magnet mounting Revised Oct. 23/19

Lycoming 6 cylinder magnet mounting Revised Oct. 23/19

Switch/ breaker layout for CPI-2

Coil and controller current draw chart (One coil pack and one controller. Double for dual systems)

Kit Pricing (Lycoming)

Single controller 4 cyl. $1705US (fires one set of plugs)
Dual controller 4 cyl. $2706US (fires two sets of plugs)
Single controller 6 cyl. $2018US (fires one set of plugs)
Dual controller 6 cyl. $3254US (fires two sets of plugs)

A single controller can also fire both sets of plugs if desired. Add $411 to the single controller price for 4 cylinder engines and $574 for 6 cylinder systems.

Information We Need When Placing an Order