[SEL] Ignitor problems URGENT please

[Elden DuRand]

Peter:

Another thing that can cause grief with low tension ignition is the insulators in the ignitor assembly.  I've seen some that would fire just fine outside the engine then not work inside the combustion chamber and under compression.

I think that, like high-tension spark plugs, the insulation can break down and make the spark occur within the ignitor itself, making for a puny or non-existant spark at the points.

You might want to take the ignitor apart, clean and dry all the mica washers and tubes then re-assemble it dry.

Take care - Elden 

> Peter Lowe wrote:
> 
> >Hi all
> >
> >I have a guy in northern Queensland who is 
> restoring an R&V engine for the 
> >National Rally next week and he is having 
> ignitor problems.
> >I do not have any stand alone ignitor engines 
> and have never worked on just 
> >an ignitor. I know how they work though ;-))
> >
> >The engine is dead, it has spark on the ignitor 
> points, it has fresh fuel, 
> >nothing, dead, deceased, will not run.
> >He is using a fluoro light 36watt fluoro ballast 
> at 12 volts, I have had 
> >better results making them out of 56watt ballasts.
> >
> >He ran the voltage up to 24 volts and the engine 
> runs nicely, but that is an 
> >impractical voltage to rally with plus I would 
> guess the extra current would 
> >not be good for the points in the long run.
> >The engine timing is correct.
> >
> >Anyone got any clues.