New-York tribune., 1909-05-09
Ignition Device Is Nearly
as Important as the
Engine Itself.
CHAPTER ".

What the right engine is TO the motor boat, ths
perfect ignition device is the motor boat engine
ana no prospective owner should for a moment
cream OF being able 10 get the full enjoyment and
tne most complete service from his boat until he
has made himself familiar with every detail OF
the ignition system upon which the engine de-
penos for its energy. he is with the engine
f1ef and the fuel supply system.
complete understanding OF any ignition system
= general use involves understanding Of at
least the rudHc1ts Of electricity. for the spark
Which keeps the gasolene engine alive is an cleo
uic spark Reduced to its most simple form the
ighang device Of the motorboat engine furnishes.
u regular intervals the spark which fires the
t@solene rapor and air compound, setting up the
sApsoslon which keeps the engine running. Even
. me person who never has entered motor boat
Is Obvious that If anything IS wrong with the
s1ing or sparkling device. there is something
wrong with the engine and with the whole boat
Aehiuon Systems OF the so-called ''jump-spark
a''e'y' which differ from the ordinary make-ano-
oeak type in that a secondary winding of the
e0As Produces current Of such high pressure that
4 Sll jump across small air gap without the
PsNous closing OF the circuit. are now in general
ese On motor boats. The system consists OF the
batteries, IN which the current originates: the timer.
y means OF which the exact instant Of the ex-
E'son IN each cylinder OF the engine is regulated;
& ~e kparE coll and vibrators. wherein the current
= 1'ensifed 10 high tension, and the spark plugs
SO me explosions take place
because they will not spill over because they are
s 70 handle and economical. dry batteries
now Used in connection with all sparkling de-
va ~sA 1t is not necessary when purchasing these
- axe the word Of the salesman that they are
esa and cf uniform strength. With pocket
tnster, which can be had at small cost, each cell
Be tested. Experienced motor boat men ad-
ne one never to try TO d cell testing less than
- Anperes. and they also advise strongly against
ING to use part old cells and part new cells, Tor
;. assert that the old ones Will quickly rehder
a | AeW ones weak. It is said that the pest way
have tao separate sets Of cells. and TO use
alternately for the cells. while resting re-
- soHse Of their original strength Tests OF the
sagth Of the cells may also be made after tney
been Installed and used on board the motor
= ~ taking the sparkling plug from its place
- engine and laying II against the sioe Ol liie
]@s II bright blue spark results from the
a. @ct tbs cells are strong vigorous ones out il
A. tpark is thin pale blue one. they are weak
:. cells should, say the experts. develop from
: eaV to thirty amperes under test, and from one
ene and one-half volts.
ne Timer, which is a most important device since
:. 'eg1lates the explosion in each OF the several
~ sosfs Of the engine exactly the right position
-, s piston TO produce the strongest FORWARD Inn
- contains disk OF fibre, in which is a copper
!, senI and this segment makes In the operation
1e engine 10 which the whole timer or com
sef Is attached, successive contact with each
,,--Ius'aior brush IT is possible TO make this
-. - or eommutator play important part in de-
!, ,'hs the speed OF the boat for when the engine
-. ming, by simply swinging the handle TO the
-, NE spark is. in the parlsnce OF motor boat
- - adyanced"-that is. il occurs at an earlier
- 40 the complete cycle Of the piston stroke
s. did before. and the speed Of the engine is
- 's@aed To retard the spark or make the engine
A., -lessr it is simply necessary TO swing the
l. n1tator handle TO the left. the timer used
connection with q proper manipulation of the