DC-CDI schematic (updated)

DC-CDI counterpart of AC-CDI is an ignition analog or digital that uses low voltage external power supply to work. the difference AC-CDI needs external High Voltage COIL no battery configuration whereas DC-CDI needs a battery without HV COIL.

DC-CDI schematic diagram

Looking at the picture on the left, it is a complete schematic diagram of a dc-cdi. Its a 4-pin system, comprising pick-up input, battery +12 volts in, Gnd, and Ignition coil out pins. There is no High Voltage  input pin like those of AC-CDI. If it will be differentiated with the AC-CDI here, you will notice theres a transformer diagram on this schematic.The circuit on the RED BOX comprises the internal High Voltage generator of a DC-CDI, where the 12 volts battery in will be converted to 200-400 volts depending on the design of the inverter. This design uses two transistor dc-ac converter with external on/off circuit to charge and discharge the capacitor BLUE BOX via SCR. the HV converter is controlled by the circuit on GRAY box, that as soon as the pulse conditioning circuit sense the pick-up coil will send triggering signal on both SCR and HV oscillator respectively to turn them on and off at the right time.

CDI or Capacitor Discharge Ignition, from the name itself, capacitor is very critical during its operation, must handle charge and discharge time as well as heat being generated by the whole circuit inside the block box, that is why manufacturer uses special capacitors specifically made for ignitions, and not just like those mylar capacitor found on some electronic circuits. They are rated 400 to 630 volts. ranging from .47uf up to 2.2uf. Value is also so critical in every applications and designs. In this circuit, they use 1uf / 400 volts with HV out of 200 volts will equals to 20 mj.



Capacitor Energy:
Energy stored in capacitor is a function of V and Capacity:  
E (joules)= V^2 * C * 1/2.

For example: for 1uF capacitor, charged at 200 volt, E = 0.02000 J = 20 mJ.

Values near 50 mJ are standard, values higher than 50 mJ are high power

Capacitor value may be critical because it should match with the power of the HV circuit to enable to charge itself at maximum rpm. If capacitor is too large it may not charge enough at high rpm. And if capacitor is too small, spark energy can be lower.

UPDATES:


The circuit above with the help of sir Robert Long, carefully put some annotations to fully understand how it works, the necessary waveforms voltage check, and the graph of the advance,

Many thanks to  sir Long.

Annotation Courtesy of Mr. Robert Long

About MCircuits