[Farmall] Oliver Cletrac HG Question

[Jim Becker]

Theoreticly, it should have been just as easy to wind a coil for any output 
voltage as any other output voltage.  So I don't see any reason for a 
general statement about power of magneto output vs. battery ignition output. 
However, as speed increases, output from a magneto should go up because the 
rotor speed increases.  A battery ignition system may decrease in power if 
the coil no longer has time for full saturation at higher speeds.  A 
breakerless system should be able to compensate for this by effecting a 
variable drell angle.  Since spark demands are highest under load at full 
throttle  . . .

This is all relative to the later high tension magnetos, older ones were 
another deal.

Jim Becker        jim.becker at verizon.net

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <soffiler at myeastern.com>
To: "Farmall/IHC mailing list" <farmall at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Friday, June 17, 2005 1:42 PM
Subject: Re: [Farmall] Oliver Cletrac HG Question


> Hi Jim:
>
> Yes, I *was* implying that all systems prior to modern
> high-energy systems (high-energy ignitions predate
> distributorless) put a negative voltage to the center
> electrode.  However, as you pointed out, that is in error.
> It's more correct to say all BATTERY systems.  Sorry about
> that.
>
> It has been empirically observed that a coil hooked backward
> results in poorer running, and the only thing I can think of
> to explain this is the reversed polarity creating a weaker
> spark because it is jumping TO the center electrode rather
> than FROM it.  And if it wasn't a problem on magneto systems
> (just like it isn't a problem on distributorless) that must
> mean the battery systems were somewhat marginal whereas the
> magnetos had excess capacity... what do you think?
>
> Steve O.