ONE-THIRD TOTAL TROUBLE IN CARS DUE IGNITION SYSTEM

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6843, 22 February 1929, Page 10

ONE-THIRD TOTAL TROUBLE IN CARS DUE IGNITION SYSTEM

A recent analysis by the Eoya! Automobile Club of great Britain, of breakdowns each year shows that, failure of some part of the the ignition system is responsible for one-third of the total trouble encountered on cars to-day, nor do t.ho passing of years bring any sign of improvement. Battery and magneto both have their defects. Bat-tery-and-coil ensures a good spark when starting, because the current is always there independent of engine speed. On the other hand, above a certain speed the magneto gives a higher standard of efficiency. In prewar days, the better classes of car were fitted with dual ignition—that is both magDeto and battery. Some still are, but not the kind most generally used to-day. So the news is welcome that a magneto designer has produced a form of machine that combines the benefits of both magneto and battery at a, moderate price. It is called the Vo It.ex Bat-Mag-Ignition, and comprises an. inductor- type of magneto with stationary windings and an auxiliary coil connected with the battery. Ihe current . passes through the magneto winding and induces a high-tension current, which is conveyed to the distributor. Thus, whereas the ordinary type of magneto does not begin to 6 park until at least 100 or 120 revs, per minute arc attained, the Voltex starts to fire the charge at 40 to 50 revs, per minute, such as would bo given by uite an easy and slow half turn of the storting handle. The battery current can be used in addition to the current generated in the ordinary way by the magneto. It is found that this current actually assists in keeping the magneto -permanently magnetised, and being about 1 amp. there is no fear of ithe batteries running down quickly .should the switch be forgotten. The contact breaker is particularly accessible and there is a very easy method of adjusting the points. The condenser is placed in an ideal position, viz. close to the make and break. This magneto has already been adopted on several of the leading French cars, and 750 are being made each day in France. Plans have been prepared in England for tie production of 250 of these magnetos per day, and no doubt before very long cars with this type of ignition will appear on tie Australian market.