What is a CDI and what does it do?

A Capacitor Discharge Ignition or CDI is an electronic ignition device that stores an electrical charge and then discharges it through an ignition coil in order to produce a powerful spark from the spark plugs in a petrol engine. Here the ignition is provided by the capacitor charge.

What is the full form of CDI?

CDI (Capacitor Discharge Ignition) is a type of electronic ignition system used in automotive, like motorcycles, outboard motors, chainsaws, lawn mowers, turbine-powered aircraft, small engines, and some cars.

Can I use any CDI unit?

We do carry a line of universal rectifier/regulators that will fit a wide selection of motorcycles (since they’re universally 12V). However, the uniqueness of each individual ignition circuit precludes doing the same with CDI boxes.

Can CDI increase speed?

That scooters run exactly 45.000 km/h. So, if your mechanic has a “better” CDI, it either doesn’t actively limit the max. RPM, or it has a better timing at higher RPM, allowing more power output and hence top speed. Yes, stock CDI limit the power.

What is the advantage of racing CDI?

The stock CDI would have slower charging capacitors with a lower max RPM, while “racing” CDI would have faster charging capacitors and a higher max RPM. You won’t notice a difference at all unless you push the engine to the rev limit, assuming your engine can reach the higher rev limit allowed by a “racing” CDI.

What is CDI motorcycle?

Essentially, a CDI box controls a motorcycle’s ignition system by starting the ignition and combustion process. A pulse of voltage from the motorcycle battery passes through the CDI box to fire up the spark plug.

Does my motorcycle have a CDI box?

Most modern motorcycles (post-1980) have a CDI box, so even if you’re shopping used motorcycles, odds are, your bike will have one. A CDI box works via the voltage from your motorcycle battery, and the electrical load discharges in one operation, starting the ignition and combustion processes.

What does CDI mean on a dirt bike?

CDI stands for capacitor discharge ignition (alternatively, “capacitive.”) If you’re new to capacitors, they’re similar to batteries in that they can store energy for later. What sets them apart is their ability to release all that energy near instantaneously, which is ideal for an ignition circuit. Here’s a CDI box in a dirt bike.

What is a CDI box?

What sets them apart is their ability to release all that energy near instantaneously, which is ideal for an ignition circuit. Here’s a CDI box in a dirt bike. You’ll often find them lurking under your seat. Andy Greaser photo. The basic CDI system is a trigger mechanism, coils, and a box, often black, with capacitors and other circuitry inside.

What is the difference between TCI and CDI ignitions?

For the purposes of this article, I’ll refer to all the black box ignitions as CDI, since they all use the same basic components: box, coils, sensor. This is a TCI box. On an electrical engineering level, it’s different from CDI, but the troubleshooting process is the same.