Ignition III

... and this is it! The map. It shows the load and RPM (revolutions per minute) axis, the ignition advance in the colored fields and when running, the actual advance with big green digits, the RPM as an analog gauge and the TPS (throttle position sensor) in % , 0% means idle, 100% means full throttle.
Those are the basics of the system. There is a lot more to be told and I invite everybody interested to have a look here:

Cheers.

Ignition II

To find out the exact moment the spark has to be fired, the calculator must know in which position the crankshaft is. According to the previously defined TDC, a sensor captures the exact position. A toothed wheel on the crankshaft gives the information via 36 teeth, one tooth is missing for synchronisation.

Furthermore, a potentiometer captures the position of the throttle axis to determine the load. This can also be done by vaccum, but on my car the intake manifold wasn't equipped.

Crank position and load are then evaluated by the calculator.

 

This calculator in particular works together with the Ford EDIS ignition module, which fires the ignition coils. The picture shows both the EDIS and the coilpack prior to complete wiring.

This is it for the hardware (well... high tension leads and spark plugs are common to almost every ignition system). My next post will show what a map looks like and what it does to alter advance.

Cheers.