Mac mag questions

[OuterMarker]

Some questions for the elders on the forum;

How many Mac engines are currently running off an electronic ignition?

Is there really an advantage over the Mac mag?

Does one produce a hotter spark to the spark plugs?

What is the cost of electronic ignition vs. used Mac mag?

Are there parts still available for the Mac mag?

[gyrojake]

The best Mac ignition out there is offered by Rick Whittridge. He is going out of business, so contact him soon.
The standard Mac ignition is good if it is kept well charged and you maintain the points.
I have flown them for years with Ricks CDI ignition, problem free.

~~JAKE~~

[Gyro28866]

My first Mac had a magnito ignition system on it. It was a real beast to get to run, consistantly.
I installed a CDI from Rick and she has purred since. third or fourth pull of the prop and she is running. When my starts become a little difficult, five or six pulls of the prop or a plug sputters while I am flying. I change the plugs and it fires like a new one.
All of them which I have heard running, have a smoother idle with the CDI.
I Rick does not have one in stock, then watch Ebay. They do come up a few times a year.

[Mark Spies]

I also run Rick's CDI on my Mac. I have had no problems, if you can get your hands on one it would be well worth the money....

[dabkb2]

I have on of Rick's CDI and love it. It starts easeier and runs smoother. Those are 2 big advantages.

[OuterMarker]

Rick dosen't have anymore, so, what should I look for on EBay?

[ScoutPilot]

I have been using an after market automotive CDI unit used back in the 70'-80's, it is very basic system. It is wired through the Stock Mac Magneto ignition coils and it runs off 12V. I only use it for starting only as the stock mag once started works great. The big problem with the stock mag is it was designed to ignite high octane fuels 120-130 octane, the flash point on high octane fuel is much lower (needing less energy to ignite) the fuels used today have a much higher flash point due to all the additives hence they require a higher energy ignition system to ignite them. If your magnets are in good shape and you have a good set of points your mag will work great with a CDI box. With the set up I have right now my Mac usually starts on the second pull almost every time. I will try and post a video showing the starting procedure if any one is interested.

Chuck

[gyromike]

Mine was a cast-iron bitch to start until I installed one of Rick's CDI's.

[OuterMarker]

The problem I have is I have a Slick 4102 (yes, Slick made a mag just for the Mac). It is a NOS mag. I had it checked and it checked ok. I even have seen it spark each plug. But the spark is not good enough to run the engine. ScoutPilot, it sounds like the problem you had. So, since I can't get parts for this mag I thought I would try to find a Mac mag. I am restoring this Bensen complete with new wooden Bensen blades. Tom Milton loaned me a mag and the engine runs great! So, it's either fix the Slick, find a CDI or get a Mac mag.

[Ron Iaconis]

I am a real stickler regarding the Mighty Mac Magneto!!!!!!
I have always used the trustworthy old Magneto,,,,and have never had any problems...
I have " Never " charged my magneto,,,,it never needs to be " Charged "
I know Bill Parsons had a machanism to re-charge the Mac Mag,,,but I totally dis-agree that an Alnico magnet ever needs to be charged!
In fact when it does get an electrical feild " re-introduced " to it,,,in my humble opinion it tends to " weaken " the original properties of the material....
So,,,,not to create a damn long bickering argument about magnets and the magneto on a Mac,,,I never ,,,ever do anything to an Alnico Magnet!!!!