Ignition Module

I see universal ignition modules for sale that replaces points and condenser, they say it fits almost all air cooled engines. Somebody tell me how this works. I was thinking about an old Clinton. Would this work? Thanks

Yes, they work! I have used them on several single cylinder engines (and outboards) when points/condensor were unavailable or too expensive. Basically this is an electronic "trigger" that is activated when the magnetic flux of the magneto reaches its highest potential. At that point it "switches", allowing the primary winding field to collapse (just like points) and fires the plug. They are simple to install and trouble free. Since they're behind the flywheel, they're also invisible. As a purist, I thought I was "cheating" at first, until I realized they provided a reliable antique engine. The good news is that the engine can be restored to normal easily. Hint: if after installation the spark is not what you expected (weak) just reverse the leads. Some coils seem to prefer them wired that way.

Has anybody tried using one of these in a rotory magnito? I think I tried once, but couldn't get it to work.

Vernon:

I've got a friend in the business of Gravely tractors, Kohler engines, etc. and he has tried the modules on a lot of engines.

He says they work fine on all flywheel mags but don't work on most of the unit magnetos, like those on one lungers like Gravelys, F-M, etc.

I've never taken the time to figure out why this is the case. IMHO, they -should- work on all magnetos but maybe some of the subtleties are escaping my pea sized brain.

Take care - Elden




Elden's Junky Web Page

These units work fine, with one exception. The engine must be spinning over fairly fast for them to fire. On a rope start, this is not a problem. I tried one on a kick start Briggs once, and it would not fire. Kick starting the engine would not spin it fast enough for the module to work. I could wrap a rope around the pulley, and start it by pulling the rope. Try to kick start it, and you would just waste your time. Went back to points and condensor on this particular engine.

Ive played with these modules and had good results on all flywheel mags but useless on seperate mags. The ones ive experimented with are called nova II. I've run these on the bench ramping the current up with a bench power supply and the voltage rises linearly with current untill 1 amp at 3 volts at which point it triggers. On a flywheel mag you have to turn it a bit faster to initialy get this voltage/current, but on a seperate mag it seems the coils are totaly different and i can only just get enough volts/current by spinning the mag with a drill. I may someday get a coil wound with more primary turns and see if it solves the problem or try to make a circuit in place of the nova to work at the lower voltage.

Thanks Harry for the site!

Graham.