RivetBangers.com

Anybody heard of these things?

http://www.pulstarplug.com/index.html

Pulse Plugs to replace regular automotive spark splugs (for EI engines). It sounds really interesting...a little more horsepower, a little more torque, and a little better fuel economy...

They are expensive at $25 a piece though!!

Chad -

Nope, never heard of them...
But from a novice perspective - I'm a little dubious about their claims.
It kinda smells like the snake oil salesman who say that installing polarizing magnets on your fuel lines can increase fuel efficiency.

Isn't the purpose of a "spark plug" to initiate the combustion reaction during the last part of the compression stroke just before the expansion phase?
If so - then I would expect that immediately after the point of ignition, both the air-fuel mixture gradient and the expanding shape of the combustion chamber to have much more of an effect on the efficiency on the fuel burn (and each of these are related to the shape of the cylinders, rpm of the engine, and design pistons & heads... not the source of the spark).

The only possible explaination that I can see for improved efficiency is either a more intense ignition (i.e. a brighter first bang that results in higher local temperature causing a more efficient burn), or a larger / optimized ignition point (i.e. a bigger spark that reaches more of the volitile air/fuel mixture).

Do we hae any engine experts out there that want to comment??
I have no pride of authorship and would like to learn from the "Pros".

Thx, Lorin D

Hahahaha... 20,000 X more powerful than a spark plug! That is a good one.

Snake oil is right!

I could actually HEAR the drag from the reel on this one, Chad!

CJ

not so fast...it seems further investigatin might be prudent here. simply going to electronic ign gives you and additional 10 hp. why ....mostly because of the more intnese spark and increased spark duration. why do drag racers use MSD ignition? because of higher internal combustion chamber pressures require more voltage. if the plug has a mechanism to store energy (a capacitor or similar device) i think SOME gains could potentially be made..look at the spark pattern on a scope and you will see some of what they they are saying is correct.the gasoline engine is crude at best. there is much to gain, but how is the question....remember changing the "power pulses" can intensify the each pulse to a point that props and components that were certified are no longer cerified simply because they have not been tested in this environment...so if you bought a 0320 and cert prop and now youve added hp to it, it may not give the life expectancy you or the manufacturer thought it would. when the prop seperates at the hub and your altered engine performance is discoverd that will be the end of the investigation. now im not trying to start a 3 day debate these are just immediate impressions.

It seems that a crude, but simple test could be conducted to test their claims. First, get Chad to buy (4) of these new plugs and install them in the top cylinders of any -360 or -320 Lycoming engine equipped with auto plugs (Usually found with P-Mag/E-Mag installs). Leave the "regular" plugs in the bottom cylinder ports.

Fire her up and check for the RPM drop from each mag. If their claim is correct, you should see NO DROP on the Pulse Plug side.

If it proves to be a hoax, then Chad can give away the plugs as Christmas presents to his favorite builders.

Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:33 am Post subject:

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It seems that a crude, but simple test could be conducted to test their claims. First, get Chad to buy (4) of these new plugs and install them in the top cylinders of any -360 or -320 Lycoming engine equipped with auto plugs (Usually found with P-Mag/E-Mag installs). Leave the "regular" plugs in the bottom cylinder ports.

Fire her up and check for the RPM drop from each mag. If their claim is correct, you should see NO DROP on the Pulse Plug side.

I think a better test would be for Chad to install 4 of these new plugs in only one side of the engine with regular plugs in the other side. If Chad then flys in a circle, we'll know why

let me add i think the pulseplug claims are PROBALLY inaccurate and misleading. but keep in mind the spark potential on the ei is already 3750 times the voltage than it started out as on the primary side of the igniton coil.

TomC wrote:
I think a better test would be for Chad to install 4 of these new plugs in only one side of the engine with regular plugs in the other side. If Chad then flys in a circle, we'll know why

Stuck aileron?

TomNativeNewYorker wrote:

TomC wrote:
I think a better test would be for Chad to install 4 of these new plugs in only one side of the engine with regular plugs in the other side. If Chad then flys in a circle, we'll know why

Stuck aileron?

i was gonna vote improperly installed canopy jettison handle or mis aligned gear fairings.

smithhb wrote:<snip>First, get Chad to buy (4) of these new plugs...

HA!! I just posted this so you guys WITH money could do the testing! $100 for four plugs is too rich for me!

smithhb wrote:If it proves to be a hoax, then Chad can give away the plugs as Christmas presents to his favorite builders.

Hmmm...I'm gonna have to start a list...

cjensen wrote:If it proves to be a hoax, then Chad can give away the plugs as Christmas presents to his favorite builders.

Hmmm...I'm gonna have to start a list... [/quote]Put me on the list for any defective Crown Royal you get! LOL

cjensen wrote:

smithhb wrote:<snip>First, get Chad to buy (4) of these new plugs...

HA!! I just posted this so you guys WITH money could do the testing! $100 for four plugs is too rich for me!

smithhb wrote:If it proves to be a hoax, then Chad can give away the plugs as Christmas presents to his favorite builders.

Hmmm...I'm gonna have to start a list...

The reason we have money is because we don't buy into scams like this!

Does anyone remember the V-Tipped spark plugs back in the 80's? What were they called?

Was it Split-fire? Similar scam.

CJ

you mean these http://www.splitfire.com/ they are not even split anymore...so much for that they are still alive and well.



alot of drag racers will index the plugs. and some race plugs electrodes dont cover the tip but stop where the tip starts...


boat plugs dont even have an electrode finger on them. they are called surface gap plugs.


some have multiple electrodes aka massive electrode. common to aircraft


there are many different types of plugs and some differences to be gained from them..horse power, i dont kow but possibly.???? put it on the dyno and then we'll know. i did see dyno offerings on the pulseplug site
but then i feel to be unbiased they should use an independant labratory for these test..the proof is in the dyno..