Magneto for a 90 deg crank

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Nov 26, 2009
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Has anyone worked out a magneto for a 90 degree crank? They make them work for Harleys with their 60 degrees using a special points cam lobe.
 
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The IOE 45 degree Harley V-twins a hundred years ago had magnetos. With the low compression they did not need very high voltage to create a spark. The pre war 45 degrees OHV J.A.P twins had two magnetos, Vincent 50 degree V-twins used a single mag and an auto advance unit. They usually fires easier on the front cylinder when started.
Reason. Voltage is dependant on conductor speed crossing the magnetic field. The magneto runs half speed of crankshaft. A single or 360 degree twin gives best spark voltage.
A 90 degree crank, theoretically would give 90% of spark voltage than the same magneto set up for a 0 or 360 degree crank. In practice less.
But you can make an magneto look alike using an alternator, some electronics and ignition coils working for any engine configuration.
Don't know anything about how aircraft magnetos work. A vague memory is that they have rotating magnets instead of a rotating coil. There is lots of things I don't know.
 
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From memory, there is such a thing as 'K-angle'. It is the angle between maximum flux and the point at which the points open. It is relevant to the strength of the spark.
 
2 magneto off the same gear, timed to 90deg difference. Probably stupid, but I'm trying to move on from the tariffs thread :)
 
I would try an sr4, you could use it on a 360 twin by earthing opposit hv connections. With a 90, or 270, You just earth the other one. Bonus would be sparcs with equal strength. I am not 100% shure, but should work. Adapting the cam is NO good, you then time for sparc at low magnetic field strength. K angle all wrong. Some V-twins do it, but me thinks no good.
 
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