Abstract: A standby generator includes an alternator to produce electricity for distribution to an electrical system, and an air-cooled internal combustion engine driving the alternator. The air-cooled internal combustion engine includes one or more cylinders, one or more spark plugs each configured to initiate combustion in a corresponding cylinder, and one or more ignition coils each coupled to a respective spark plug of the one or more spark plugs to provide a voltage to the respective spark plug. The standby generator also includes a battery system electrically coupled to the one or more ignition coils to provide power thereto, and a digital ignition module wiring the battery system to each of the one or more ignition coils to control operation of the one or more spark plugs.

Abstract: A standby generator includes an alternator to produce electricity for distribution to an electrical system, and an air-cooled internal combustion engine driving the alternator. The air-cooled internal combustion engine includes one or more cylinders, one or more spark plugs each configured to initiate combustion in a corresponding cylinder, and one or more ignition coils each coupled to a respective spark plug of the one or more spark plugs to provide a voltage to the respective spark plug. The standby generator also includes a battery system electrically coupled to the one or more ignition coils to provide power thereto, and a digital ignition module wiring the battery system to each of the one or more ignition coils to control operation of the one or more spark plugs.

Abstract: A gas-discharge lamp and method of operating the lamp for controlling the brightness of the lamp. The lamp includes a drive for supplying a varying signal in response to receiving first and second control signals. The method includes establishing a time period; for a first interval of the time period, generating a first control signal having a first duty cycle and generating a second control signal having a second duty cycle; and, for a second interval of the time period, generating a third control signal having a third duty cycle, and generating a fourth control signal having a fourth duty cycle. The third duty cycle is less than the first duty cycle, and the fourth duty cycle is less than the second duty cycle. The first and third control signals are provided to a first switch and the second and fourth control signals are provided to a second switch.

Abstract: A gas-discharge lamp and method of operating the lamp for controlling the brightness of the lamp. The lamp includes a drive for supplying a varying signal in response to receiving first and second control signals. The method includes generating the first and second control signals for a time period. The generating of the first and second control signals includes, for a first interval of the time period, generating the first control signal having a first duty cycle, and generating the second control signal having a second duty cycle. The generating of the first and second control signals further includes, for a second interval of the time period, generating the first control signal having a third duty cycle and generating the second control signal having a fourth duty cycle. The third duty cycle is less than the first duty cycle, and the fourth duty cycle is less than the second duty cycle.