Chapter 9

Ignition Systems
page 147

Basic Ignition System Operation

charge builds up in coil (12 volts in)
creates a magnetic field (windings of wire)
voltage is stepped up (secondary
windings)
switch open (magnetic field collapses)
high voltage discharged (to plug)

Fundamental Electrical
Principles
Electricity is lazy
Electricity wants to go to ground
electron theory (-) to (+)
conventional theory (+) to (-)
Conductors
Insulators

The Electron Theory

Electricity moves from to +

Electrical Units of Measurement

Volts---- Push

Current ---Quantity
Resistance ----Resistance to flow

Ohms Law
E=IxR
E/I=R
E/R=I

E
I

Magnetism
Alike charges repel (-) (-)
Dissimilar charges attract (-) (+)

Magnets & Electricity

Magnets can be used to for electricity
Electricity can be used to form magnets
Electricity when applied to magnets make
stronger magnets

Ignition Coils
Coils of wire wrapped around an iron core
Step up transformer

Spark Plugs
Spark plugs
contain an air
gap for
electricity to
create a spark
and make a
seal

Heat
Ranges
The difference between a "hot" and a "cold" spark
plug is in the shape of the ceramic tip.
The manufacturers will select the right-temperature
plug for each engine.
Some engines with high-performance naturally
generate more heat, so they need colder plugs.
If the spark plug gets too hot, it could ignite the fuel
before the spark fires
It is important to stick with the right type of plug
Engine that burn oil may need hot plugs

Measuring Spark Plug

Temperature

Types of Electrodes
Center electrode
Side electrode

Switching Devices
Breaker points
Electronic

Breaker Points
Ran by cam shaft

Electronic Switching Devices

NO breaker points to burn or wear out

The MBI Magneto System

Mechanical Breaker Point Ignition
produce power without an outside power
source
Condenser-prevents arching

The MBI Magneto Cycle

Magnets pass legs

Coil
150 turns of large wire
20,000 turns of fine wire
Iron core

The Stop Switch

Plug only fires when points open
Switch grounds points
Fasten metal to head bold

Ignition Advance Systems

Cause spark earlier
BTDC
As engine warms up
Speeds up
Centrifugal
Vacuum
Mechanical

Dwell & Cam Angles

Time points stay closed
Lobes size = dwell time

Electronic Ignition
Solid state
No maintenance
No points-burning
Spark plug life
Easy starting
Higher output
Starts flooded engine
Higher spark output

Electronic Ignition
Hermetically sealed
Uniform performance
Good under adversity
Improved idling
Smoother power under load

Operation of Capacitive
Discharge Ignition ( CDI)
Solid State
Newest
NO Breaker points
Magnets only moving parts

Operation of Transistor
Controlled Ignition (TCI)
Systems

Magneto Ignition Systems

Compared

Battery Ignition Systems

Low voltage primary circuit
High voltage secondary circuit
ignition switch
builds field
field collapses
spark to plug

High Voltage Secondary Circuits

Uses a step up transformer
Several winding of wire / iron core

Auto-Transformer Type Ignition

Coils

The Lead Acid Battery

Vehicle batteries