Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-03-27

talneu at any position OF the electrOde,
1t is evident that contact is not being
made by the points inside the cylin-
der (this is in case the other wire is
grounded directly to the engine).
Sometimes the other wire is fastened
to piece of metal insulated from the
engine, but which touches part Of the
engine for an instant when the spark
should occur in the cylinder. In this
case, If spark can be obtained by
bringing the ends of the two wires into
contact it should be determined wheth-
'er the insulated piece is making con-
tact with the engine properly.
If no spark is obtained at the plug
or igniter block when tested as di-
rected, it will, Of course, be neces-
sary to look over the electrical system
in order to ascertain what is wrong.
The electrical systems of various en-
gines differ considerably, and no def
mite instruction can be given for diff
ferent makes, but some general points
will be mentioned. First of all see
that the switch is in starting position.
Much time has been lost in thousands
of cases. by trying to start the en-
CINE with the switch off.
Next, look over all wire connections
to see that they are tight and clean.
If the engine starts on battery Of
dry cells see that all connections be-
tween the cells are tight and that no
short circuits are caused by the me-
tallic portions of the cells touching with
other, or by metal connection with
the engine, or by tools lying on the
cells, etc. The small knurled nuts on
dry cells frequently loosen from Vi
bration and thus interrupt the whole
ignition system.
Testing Battery Strength.
It is a good thing to keep an am
meter handy for use in testing the
strength of the cells of battery. In
testing with an ammeter it is best to
discard all cells that do not test over
II. amperes. A new cell should test
between 20 and 80 amperes. If no
ammeter is available, crude test can
be made by striking the end of a wire
connected to one end cell Of the bat
terry against the first connection on
the cell at the other end.
Do not keep the wire in contact
with the cell for more than an in
slant. Doing SO will weaken the bat
terry, but by swapping it quickly across
the edge Of the knurled nut few
times and noting the sparks, one can
ascertain whether the battery is pro-
ducing good current. By making this
test few times with battery which
is in working condition, one can easily
learn about how much of spark
should be expected.
Oil Causes Trouble.
Sometimes too much Oil will cause
trouble by accommodating on the con-
tact points in the breaker box. It is
usually easy to examine these points
and see If they have oil on them; are
rough or pitted, or not opening prop
erly. If oily, rinse with a little gas
cline and wipe dry. If rough or pit
ted, the points should be smoothed
with file made especially for this
purpose. If such file Is not available
small knife blade may be used to re-
move the tiny tips Of metal which
have formed on the points and to
round off the buried corners. It pays,
however. to keep suitable file on
hand for this work, for pitted points
are not uncommon, and unless properly
smoothed up are liable to get into bad
shape again very quickly. A gauge is
generally furnished by magnetic manu-
facturers to determine the proper dis
lance between the points in the open
position. The means of adjusting this
distance vary with different makes of
magnetos. but are usually apparent
upon examination. The points should
separate about one-fiftieth Of an inch.
An ordinary pin is about one thirty
second Of an inch in diameter, and q
fairly close estimate may be made u.s.
ing this fact as criterion, If no gauge
is available.
Provide Waterproof Cover.
It is important that a waterproof
cover be provided for the magnetic, es-
pecially in the case Of engines used
out Of doors, such as gas tractors, In
order to protect the magnetic from
moisture and dust, as either Of these
is likely to cause trouble sooner or
later.
During the past few years many sta
tionary gas engines have been equip
| ped with low-tension oscillating
magnetos. Some of these are mounted
directly on the igniter block, and it
| is easy to test the spark by removing
the block and tripping the oscillator
with the means provided. In other
cases 1t is necessary to remove the end
of the wire attached to the igniter
block and wipe it across metal part
Of the engine, at the same time trip.
ping the oscillator. 1t is necessary
that the end of the wire leave the
metal almost instantly after the oscil
lator is tripped, otherwise the spark
will not occur. A little practice will