New-York tribune., 1918-03-03
RewardMagneto
Occasionally for
Good Service
Clean, Oil and Keep 1t Dry,
So That 1t Will Keep
On Delivering
BY William II. Stewart, Jr.

The magnetic is faithful instru
ment, although few drivers give it an.
attention at all However, if anything
goes wrong with it, the engine cannot
be started. There are a few details of
care which should be learned, as they
will keep the magnetic running longer
and aid in finding the trouble when it
occurs
The care of the magnetic may be
summed up in three statements: Lubri-
cate, keep clean, keep dry. One drop
a week or every 500 miles in each
bearing will be enough. There are
three places needing oil: one at each
end of the armature and one for the
distributor.
Keep dry by covering with a leather
boot or wiping off rain or water
splashed on it, particularly on the dis
tributer. Rain sometimes gets inside
the safety spark gap and the magnetic
stops delivering current. Many types
Of magnetos are now made with
waterproof cover. but there arc al
ways places into which water may leak.
The third detail is to keep it clean.
This means that the distributor head
must be cleaned occasionally with
cloth and gasolenc, as dirt will cause
a short circuit. The cover should then
be removed and the inside cleaned the
samc way. Wherever oil and dust ac
cumulate in the distributor there is
chance for short circuit. Inspect
the brushes while the distributor is
oren. See that they are in good con-
dltion and the springs in good shape
Another place needing attention IS
at the points of the circuit breaker, but
not because of dust alone. They be-
come corroded due to the current con-
tlnually jumping across them Is they
break open. In d month or so these
points become SO pitted that the cur
touched up with fine sandpaper-the
finer the better. Double it over so
that the sand is on both sides and will
clean both points at once. Spring the
points apart and let them close on the
sandpaper. This can be worked back
and forth, cleaning the points.
Sometimes it is sufficient to draw a
piece OF paper between the points, as
this wipes off the oil and dust which
have prevented the current from rum
ming. Files are provided for touching
up the points of the circuit-breaker,
but the unskilled operator is apt to
file the points unevenly. The sandpaper
does good job and SO leaves nothing
to be desired.
While working on the circuit breaker
see that the gap is correct. About M
teen one -thousandths of an inch is the
right opening. Crank the engine or
move the spark lever until the points
open to their widest extent. piece
of metal of the right size must be
used as a gauge. 1t should pass
through with q slight friction. Inc
manufacturer provides wrench WITH
measure it by. Almost any gauge for
high tension magnetic may be used,
as they are all about the same thick
ness.
Another place that needs cleaning
occasionally is the collector ring. ms
will gum up so that the brush does no.
follow it closely and the spark cannoss
always jump. Remove the brush ana
look in. If il shows a bright ring ~
does not need cleaning. Dirt may 10
removed with cloth on the end OF
stick, using alcohol or gasolene
loosen it. While the brush is out ex-
anime to see if it is broken, If it moves
freely in the guide or holder ana ;"
the spring is all right.
This is abou. all that the driver eau
do. Other troubles require sRiisa
workman. and the magnetic must pe
shipped oack to the factory or TO
service station Such troubles arc
leaky condenser. loose windings
punctured secondary, weak magnets
and so on. Do not send your maghsss
to some small repair shop and pay tn'
man to experiment at your expense.
Send it to people who understana -
and have proper tools with which y
overhaul it.