I have an engine equiped with an Edison magneto, is anyone familiar with these mags?
Thomas Edison.
Sorry, couldn't resist. At least this will bounce your question to the top.
Neil
Yahoo or Google are your friends:
Dixie, Edison, Splitdorf Magneto Parts (AJ, CD, RM, 46, 246, etc.)
Thomas A Edison Inc. bought out Splitdorf Electric in 1929. Wico Electric bought out Edison magneto operations in 1949. Parts are no longer being made. We can rewind coils, rebuild condensers or supply a replacement, and have some New Old Stock and Used / Refurbished parts. If we don't have it we usually can find it for you. Please call, 207-834-7309, or e-mail us with your needs.
http://www.mainelymagnetos.com/MagnetoParts.html
You can't really rebuild a condenser, you have to replace it.
John,
I would tend to agree with Garrett here but, I'll ask, do you really "rebuild" condensers? How?
Tin foil and wax paper? Gives new meaning the the term "Roll your own".
The Condenser is the same as a Capacitor. It's an electronic component that stores energy.
Hal is right, you can make your own. All a Capacitor is, is essentially two conductors with an insulator in between them.
I have a 365pF (pico-farads) VARIABLE Capacitor that I can post photos of and you can see how it works.
I have always wanted to try this, but preferably not out in the middle of nowhere. The story goes that back about the end of WWII, some fellow drives into town (Elko Nev.) from many miles away. The old car is backfiring a bit, but running okay. He drives right up to the auto supply store to get a capacitor for his ignition. Under the hood, wired to the distributor and hanging from the radiator brace rod are the front and rear license plates with one sheet of newspaper between them. I have been assured that if properly done, this would work.
Garrett,
Some good comments.
Cliff B,
I would love to see some photos of the mag and the drive setup. I am sure others would too.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
I posted a cut and paste from the link displayed. It's NOT my company....sorry if I was misleading.