What type of ignition system uses a capacitor to store energy?

The capacitor discharge ignition (CDI) system is designed specifically to use a capacitor to store electrical energy. In this system, the capacitor is charged up when the engine is running and discharges its stored energy to the ignition coil in a rapid burst. This results in a high-voltage spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture in the engine's combustion chamber.

The efficiency of the CDI system lies in its ability to produce a strong spark at any engine speed, making it suitable for various applications, particularly in small engines such as those found in motorcycles, lawn mowers, and other outdoor equipment. This type of ignition system responds well to quick throttle changes and provides reliable ignition even in adverse conditions.

Different ignition systems do not utilize a capacitor in the same way that a CDI does. For instance, magneto ignition systems generate electricity through magnets and do not store energy in a capacitor for discharge. Inductive ignition systems rely on a magnetic field to produce a spark but do not specifically emphasize capacitor storage. Standard ignition systems can vary widely, but they typically do not highlight the capacitor's role in energy storage in the manner that a CDI does.