Magneto
 

Is a magneto ignition system more reliable than the alternators used on
cars? Can you use mags on a jeep ?

Re: Magneto
 

On 29 Nov 2003 06:48 PM, Kevin posted the following:
> Is a magneto ignition system more reliable than the alternators used
> on cars? Can you use mags on a jeep ?

About the only thing they have going for them is that they generate
their own power. A modern electronic ignition produces a better spark,
is plenty reliable for ground use, and has no points to wear out. The
mags I have worked on (aircraft) do not have any provision for an
automatic advance, and are fixed to fire at the same number of degrees
before top center under all conditions. This is okay on an aircraft
which runs at the same RPM for hours on end, but not so good for an
automobile in traffic. Other than the non dependence on the vehicle's
electrical system, the reason they are considered reliable on aircraft
is because two of them are used, each firing a separate set of spark
plugs (two plugs per cylinder). I've got less than 100 hours in my
logbook and I have still had a mag failure on an airplane I was flying.
Then on the next (and last) time I flew it, it had an alternator failure,
but at least due to the magneto ignition that just meant the radio got
quiet.

----------------------------------------------------
Del Rawlins- del@_kills_spammers_rawlinsbrothers.org
Remove _kills_spammers_ to reply via email.
Unofficial Bearhawk FAQ website:
http://www.rawlinsbrothers.org/bhfaq/

Re: Magneto
 

On 29 Nov 2003 06:48 PM, Kevin posted the following:
> Is a magneto ignition system more reliable than the alternators used
> on cars? Can you use mags on a jeep ?

About the only thing they have going for them is that they generate
their own power. A modern electronic ignition produces a better spark,
is plenty reliable for ground use, and has no points to wear out. The
mags I have worked on (aircraft) do not have any provision for an
automatic advance, and are fixed to fire at the same number of degrees
before top center under all conditions. This is okay on an aircraft
which runs at the same RPM for hours on end, but not so good for an
automobile in traffic. Other than the non dependence on the vehicle's
electrical system, the reason they are considered reliable on aircraft
is because two of them are used, each firing a separate set of spark
plugs (two plugs per cylinder). I've got less than 100 hours in my
logbook and I have still had a mag failure on an airplane I was flying.
Then on the next (and last) time I flew it, it had an alternator failure,
but at least due to the magneto ignition that just meant the radio got
quiet.

----------------------------------------------------
Del Rawlins- del@_kills_spammers_rawlinsbrothers.org
Remove _kills_spammers_ to reply via email.
Unofficial Bearhawk FAQ website:
http://www.rawlinsbrothers.org/bhfaq/

Re: Magneto
 

On 29 Nov 2003 06:48 PM, Kevin posted the following:
> Is a magneto ignition system more reliable than the alternators used
> on cars? Can you use mags on a jeep ?

About the only thing they have going for them is that they generate
their own power. A modern electronic ignition produces a better spark,
is plenty reliable for ground use, and has no points to wear out. The
mags I have worked on (aircraft) do not have any provision for an
automatic advance, and are fixed to fire at the same number of degrees
before top center under all conditions. This is okay on an aircraft
which runs at the same RPM for hours on end, but not so good for an
automobile in traffic. Other than the non dependence on the vehicle's
electrical system, the reason they are considered reliable on aircraft
is because two of them are used, each firing a separate set of spark
plugs (two plugs per cylinder). I've got less than 100 hours in my
logbook and I have still had a mag failure on an airplane I was flying.
Then on the next (and last) time I flew it, it had an alternator failure,
but at least due to the magneto ignition that just meant the radio got
quiet.

----------------------------------------------------
Del Rawlins- del@_kills_spammers_rawlinsbrothers.org
Remove _kills_spammers_ to reply via email.
Unofficial Bearhawk FAQ website:
http://www.rawlinsbrothers.org/bhfaq/

Re: Magneto
 

"Kevin" <Kevin@el.net> wrote in message
news:3Mdyb.254542$mZ5.1886878@attbi_s54...
> Is a magneto ignition system more reliable than the alternators used on
> cars? Can you use mags on a jeep ?
>

A magneto doesn't replace an alternator, it replaces the distributor. Even
with a magneto ignition, you'll still need your charging system. Magnetos
use points. they are not as reliable as an electronic ignition. Also, most
of them don't have a mechanical advance, and none I know of has a vacuum
advance. This means your timing will not be optimized for light load
conditions with the vacuum advance. You can use a magneto on anything they
make magnetos for.

Chris

Re: Magneto
 

"Kevin" <Kevin@el.net> wrote in message
news:3Mdyb.254542$mZ5.1886878@attbi_s54...
> Is a magneto ignition system more reliable than the alternators used on
> cars? Can you use mags on a jeep ?
>

A magneto doesn't replace an alternator, it replaces the distributor. Even
with a magneto ignition, you'll still need your charging system. Magnetos
use points. they are not as reliable as an electronic ignition. Also, most
of them don't have a mechanical advance, and none I know of has a vacuum
advance. This means your timing will not be optimized for light load
conditions with the vacuum advance. You can use a magneto on anything they
make magnetos for.

Chris

Re: Magneto
 

"Kevin" <Kevin@el.net> wrote in message
news:3Mdyb.254542$mZ5.1886878@attbi_s54...
> Is a magneto ignition system more reliable than the alternators used on
> cars? Can you use mags on a jeep ?
>

A magneto doesn't replace an alternator, it replaces the distributor. Even
with a magneto ignition, you'll still need your charging system. Magnetos
use points. they are not as reliable as an electronic ignition. Also, most
of them don't have a mechanical advance, and none I know of has a vacuum
advance. This means your timing will not be optimized for light load
conditions with the vacuum advance. You can use a magneto on anything they
make magnetos for.

Chris

Re: Magneto
 

Hi Kevin,
Magnetos are used to lighten a vehicle's weight, by doing away with
the battery and whole charging system. Like Larry Dixon of Vista,
California's top fuel car, here on launch:
http://www.nhra.com/2003/gallery/tf/...me=Larry_Dixon You may
see the two (red in color) Mallory mags firing the sixteen spark plugs.
It is the least affective way of gaining horse power for the street.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Kevin wrote:
>
> Is a magneto ignition system more reliable than the alternators used on
> cars? Can you use mags on a jeep ?

Re: Magneto
 

Hi Kevin,
Magnetos are used to lighten a vehicle's weight, by doing away with
the battery and whole charging system. Like Larry Dixon of Vista,
California's top fuel car, here on launch:
http://www.nhra.com/2003/gallery/tf/...me=Larry_Dixon You may
see the two (red in color) Mallory mags firing the sixteen spark plugs.
It is the least affective way of gaining horse power for the street.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Kevin wrote:
>
> Is a magneto ignition system more reliable than the alternators used on
> cars? Can you use mags on a jeep ?

Re: Magneto
 

Hi Kevin,
Magnetos are used to lighten a vehicle's weight, by doing away with
the battery and whole charging system. Like Larry Dixon of Vista,
California's top fuel car, here on launch:
http://www.nhra.com/2003/gallery/tf/...me=Larry_Dixon You may
see the two (red in color) Mallory mags firing the sixteen spark plugs.
It is the least affective way of gaining horse power for the street.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Kevin wrote:
>
> Is a magneto ignition system more reliable than the alternators used on
> cars? Can you use mags on a jeep ?