To begin creating a new ignition curve Chose File - New from the menu and the Curve Wizard will open. If a file is open and has been changed it will ask if you wish to save the file. You will be walked step by step through the ignition curve creation process.  

   

Choose Ignition Type - This is the type of ignition (Ignition Name/Model) the advance curve is being designed for. 

Note: Some limitations are imposed  based on the Ignition Name/Model. i.e. Sometimes the number of cylinders is limited or the number of sensors are limited. Other limitations may apply. Please refer to the specific models wiring diagram or owner's manual.

Engine Type - Indicates whether the engine is a two cycle (two stroke) or 4 cycle (4 stoke) engine.

Spark Distribution - Coil or Distributor. You must decide whether high voltage distribution via the spark plug wires is done with a distributor cap or by coil. Distribution by coil requires one dual output coil for each pair of cylinders.
 
Optical Encoder/Rotor Mounting Position - Indicates whether the Optical Encoder/Rotor is attached to the cam or the crank or turns at cam or crank speed. The Optical Encoder/Rotor is detected by the optical pickup sensor.

Number of Cylinders - Number of cylinders the engine has 1,2,4,6,8 or H-D (Harley-Davidson).

Tach Type- A wide variety of tachometers may be used 1,2,H-D,3,4,6 and 8 cylinder tachometers can be used regardless of the engine type the ignition is configured for. Tach Type represents the type of tachometer that is connected to the ignition. The value represents the number of pulses per cam revolution for four cycle engines. The one and three cylinder tachometers put out the same number of pulses regardless of Optical Encoder/Rotor mount position.

Number of Sparks - Number of sparks per compression stroke. 1-3 sparks can be selected. Values can be different for each sensor state.

Curve Fallback - The separation in RPM between the engagement of a new spark advance (engine accelerating) and the disengagement of that spark advance (engine decelerating). For instance if the Fallback RPM was set at 200 RPM and a curve change was set to occur at 2000 RPM then the spark advance would change during acceleration at 2000 RPM and change back to the previous spark advance during deceleration at 1800 RPM. Graph nodes are limited in the RPM axis to the fallback value plus 50 RPM.

Sensors  - Sensor #1 and Sensor #2  The sensor inputs to be configured either as an Analog, Digital or None by changing the values in the drop down lists.  If a sensor is configured as Analog, a curve transition voltage value must be entered into the text box in 0.1 volt increments up to 4.0 volts.  If one of the Sensor States changed to None (no sensor present), the number of Sensor  States will be reduced by 2.

Sensor 1- Digital sensor 1 can have either a grounded (tied to negative of the battery) or ungrounded state (not tied to negative of the battery). When the status field says "Digital" it means that sensor 1 is configured as a digital sensor.

Analog sensor values are limited to a range of 0-4 Volts in 1/10 volt increments. The voltage in the sensor 1 status field represents the transition point between the activation of the two advance curve graphs created for Sensor 1. One graph for cases when the voltage is greater than or equal ( > ) to the transition voltage and one when the voltage is less ( < ) than the spark advance transition voltage. 

A value of NONE means that sensor 1 is not being used. Not all ignitions have both sensor inputs.

Sensor 2- Digital sensor 2 can have either a grounded (tied to negative of the battery) or ungrounded state (not tied to negative of the battery). When the status field says "Digital" it means that sensor 2 is configured as a digital sensor.

Analog sensor values are limited to a range of 0-4 Volts in 1/10 volt increments. The voltage in the sensor 2 status field represents the transition point between the activation of the two advance curve graphs created for Sensor 2. One graph for cases when the voltage is greater than or equal ( > ) to the transition voltage and one when the voltage is less ( < ) than the spark advance transition voltage.

A value of NONE means that sensor 2 is not being used. Not all ignitions have both sensor inputs.

Important: Each of the 4 combinations of the 2 sensors is an independent and distinctly different timing curve.