Dumb questions about ignition systems

[Shadow_storm56]

I am learning more about how points, coils and all that works together. What I don't get is that the points cut power to the coil just as the distributor makes contact and apparently that generates the HV spike? I would assume a coil would have high voltage when powered not right after being shut off. Maybe the info I read was really bad at explaining it but it doesn't make good sense to me...

[Bill V in Md]

When the points are touching each other, electricity runs from the battery, through the coil, or from the magneto to the engine Block, which is grounded. The current running through the windings in the ignition coil or magneto builds up a powerful electrical field that is unleashed when the points separate.

[Eugene]

The distributor, rotor and distributor cap, only directs the spark to the appropriate spark plug.

The coil, electromagnet, has two coils, windings, inside. Primary winding connected to the points, battery voltage. Secondary winding is connected to a ground and the coil terminal with the wire directed to the distributor.

Points closed, primary coil builds up magnetism. Points open, magnetic field collapes, inducing the high voltage in the secondary winding.

High voltage in the secondary winding is fed to the center terminal of the distrbutor cap. Rotor transfers the voltage to the correct spark plug. Spark we are looking for occurs when the high voltage jumps the spark plug gap.

Capacitor/condenser. Stores voltage doing two things. Helps the primary winding collapse faster and help prevent a spark from jumping the points.

[Jim Becker]

You need to read the PDF manual GSS-1310 Electrical Fundamentals. It is under Service Manuals/Blue Ribbon Service Manuals. Particularly look at pages 6 to 15.

[Shadow_storm56]

The distributor, rotor and distributor cap, only directs the spark to the appropriate spark plug.

The coil, electromagnet, has two coils, windings, inside. Primary winding connected to the points, battery voltage. Secondary winding is connected to a ground and the coil terminal with the wire directed to the distributor.

Points closed, primary coil builds up magnetism. Points open, magnetic field collapes, inducing the high voltage in the secondary winding.

High voltage in the secondary winding is fed to the center terminal of the distrbutor cap. Rotor transfers the voltage to the correct spark plug. Spark we are looking for occurs when the high voltage jumps the spark plug gap.

Capacitor/condenser. Stores voltage doing two things. Helps the primary winding collapse faster and help prevent a spark from jumping the points.

I understand alot about electrical in general I just have never heard of cutting power to a coil and a collaping magnetic field causing more power. It's a cool little complex but simple system. Thanks!

[Shadow_storm56]

You need to read the PDF manual GSS-1310 Electrical Fundamentals. It is under Service Manuals/Blue Ribbon Service Manuals. Particularly look at pages 6 to 15.

I will thanks

[Eugene]

http://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.clea ... index.html

Try above. Basic ignition circuit.

[Shadow_storm56]

very interesting, Also see another purpose of the condenser now. It's just a very different way of making high voltage than I am used to. I was trying to understand it like a standard transformer. So when points are closed you would have no voltage on the secondary or very little until the field collapses when they open. Changing magnetic fields generate voltage and I guess collapsing field counts as this. OMG I have been thinking of this as if it was an ac circuit.... of course dc wouldn't make power on the secondary until the field collapses. It's kinda interesting and amazing that the points and rotor contacts don't just burn up really fast. We don't think about these things much but these are actually pretty thought out and well designed circuits.

[staninlowerAL]

...........We don't think about these things much but these are actually pretty thought out and well designed circuits.

The magneto principle for generating electricity has been around a long time, just in a different form. (Think the beginning of the internal combustion engine.)