NEWS
& UPDATES 
HewTech
Electronics LLC
NEWS
& UPDATES
FALL 2008
CHECK OUT THE FIREPLUG OWNERS SLEDPIC'S PAGE!
10/26/2008: Our parts inventory is just starting to trickle in, which is late for us, typically we purchase inventory in early Sept. But with the economy downturn, there is an obvious reduction is snowmobile parts purchases, so we held off almost 60 days for our annual parts buy. We've noticed the slowdown for FIREPLUG CDI sales too, as there is a lot less extra money to go around for everybody. Although we have been hit with price increases again for 2008, we have decided (again) to not pass this cost along & hold our pricing (again) for the 2008/2009 season. This is the 4th year HewTech Electronics has maintained their CDI pricing, and has not just passed the costs on to the consumer. It's not easy, but we are a very small & specialized company, and can control expenses by scheduling work as needed. Our FIREPLUG CDI's are not mass-produced & sitting on a shelf. We build every FIREPLUG CDI to order. Scheduling work may translate to an extra day or so in delivery, but overall, it will be transparent to the buyer & our pricing remains very competitive & our performance & warranty is still unmatched!
We've also updated the website. PolarFire (ROTAX) redesign progress has been delayed, due to other programs taking priority. We are in the process of designing a new Data Acquisition (DAQ) system that will provide us much more information for profiling complete ignition systems. We plan to use the additional information to help produce FIREPLUG CDI models for other sleds / engines. This will also allow us to better measure timing profiles in our design process. This will lead to our ability to offer improved timing curves with our FIREPLUG CDI models. The DAQ system is scheduled for Spring 2009. This should speed up the process for developing more FIREPLUG CDI models for late 2009.
We will update the site more frequently, now that the season has started. Please check back for updates & have a great season!
1/23/2008: Official launch of the MICHIGAN VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES website or www.MVSCS.com . The website represents a Virtual Points Championship Series at 2 participating Tracks in Lower Michigan. For 2008 it's LUCKY-THUMB in Kingston, MI & Albright Shores in Gladwin, MI. Click the www.MVSCS.com link for details. This should bring some extra excitement to the season!
1/20/2008: Ontario Recreational Products & Salvage www.orps.ca is a first rate NOS / OEM & reproduction parts supplier for Merc & Arctic-Cat parts. Jim & David Cunningham of ORPS are sponsoring the HewTech Vintage Twister for the 2008 Season! HewTech is honored to be one of the selected competitors for the ORPS Racing Team. We also have the opportunity to upgrade & evaluate some of the many ORPS reproduction parts available for the Twisters. Watch for our Trail-Twister in Michigan...but don't look for the familiar flames on the hood...that hood has been retired. Watch for the ORPS.ca decals on the HewTech FIREPLUG CDI MERC! We will post some pictures as soon as we can! Thanks to Jim & David & the ORPS.ca Team for their support & effort for 2008!
1/19/2008: Winter is here! Here's some updates: The FIREPLUG PRO production is on HOLD for now, since we are looking at combining some other functions that may allow this technology to be adapted to the other FIREPLUG CDI models. Lots of interest, but the question was always, why only Kohler, why not the SRX, GPX or SR292? Well, we are working on it. We decided no reason to have a short-production model on the market, so we're waiting for the new development. As always, probably won't have anything news till late summer, which is when we do our development.
We are also planning to have the POLARFIRE ROTAX CDI available for Fall of 2008, as well as the Nippondenso replacement. Lots of new ideas pending, based on feedback & demand....keep the suggestions coming!
1/19/2008: HewTech Electronics LLC has sponsored a class for the Pro Vintage Racing's Jan 26~27, 2008 MOLE LAKE CASINO EVENT HewTech Electronics LLC has offered to provide a FIREPLUG CDI as one of the event prizes. Winner will select one of our standard FIREPLUG models from our website. Details can be found by going to the PRO VINTAGE RACING website. Good luck to PVR & Mole Lake on their first Vintage snowmobile Oval Racing Event.
NEWS ARCHIVES!
archives 2007 archives
archives 2006 archives
archives 2005 archives
archives 2004 archives
archives 2003 archives
*****************************************************************
DETAILS...DETAILS...DETAILS...DETAILS...DETAILS...DETAILS...DETAILS
*****************************************************************
We typically design CDI units for
2 reasons:
1) CDI is no longer available, rare / hard-to-find & expensive.
2) CDI currently available is very poor quality and unreliable.
FAQ: How do you develop CDI units?
What is
the process and how do you determine what CDI units to offer?
ANSWER: I frequently receive e-mails requesting CDI's for many
different vintage snowmobiles. If the CDI is available through aftermarket catalogs
or suppliers, I typically don't bother with redesigning that particular CDI. The
Prestolite (Kohler) units are still currently available aftermarket, but are known to be
poor quality, as was the original design. I developed the Prestolite
replacement because I own many snowmobiles that use that particular CDI. It is
necessary to have access to a running engine for signal measurement, timing
characteristics etc. Just gutting a poorly designed CDI to copy the internal circuit
is not the way to produce a better product...the import / rebuilt CDI's have proven
that point.
The CDI development process requires outside help for development &
testing. I rely heavily on the vintage snowmobilier for the support needed. I'm sure
when you talk to anyone involved with the process, they will explain that it was well
worth the effort to keep the hobby going! Thanks to all!
WHAT
WERE WE THINKING ANYWAY? (click to find
out)
HEWTECH
ELECTRONICS R&D SLED: We evaluated, refined & redesigned our
product before it became available to you. (click pic for details)
THE
ALL EXCLUSIVE FIREPLUG CDI OWNERS PAGE:
(click the link above)
FIREPLUG owners, send / e-mail info
& a pic of your sled to be featured!
HewTech Electronics is a member (#1459) of the Vintage Snowmobile Club of America (VSCA) and the Antique & Classic Snowmobile Club of Canada (ACSCC #754).
THANK
YOU FOR VISITING
WEB Hosting by hosting@badgerTech.net