Hi John,

 

I have a Lightspeed Plasma III electronic ignition and a magneto ignition on my Legacy's Performance Engines' IO-550 engine.  I've been flying a year and about 130 hours tach time and as far as I can tell, both ignition systems have been rock solid.  I have toggle switches on the instrument panel to turn off either ignition system and have included "cycle the ignition systems" as an emergency checklist item for engine problems. 

 

I think heat may be an issue in some Plasma III installations.  I installed my controller vertically, against the cockpit side of the firewall.  I installed it with "standoffs" (a few washers) to keep the base of it 3/8" or so away from the e-glass firewall to allow cool air to circulate behind the controller to help cool it.  I have no idea if that does any good, but it didn't add any cost or weight, so what the heck, why not.  If I had an aluminum airplane, I would mount it tight against the aluminum for cooling.

 

Good luck,

Dennis