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[Amps] Arcing

To: <amps@contesting.com>
Subject: [Amps] Arcing
From: 2 at vc.net (rlm)
Date: Fri Mar 7 05:14:28 2003

>Hi Tom
>
>On Thu, 6 Mar 2003 10:09:16 -0500 "Tom Rauch" <w8ji@contesting.com>
>writes:
>
><snip>
>
>  It all sounded good until you got to here...  even though it is way off
>topic and... 
>   I'm glad that someone recalls when sparks were made in the old way!...
>it begs correcting.
>
>
>> Many people think, for example, the peak ignition voltage in anignition
>> system is set by the turns ratio in the ignition coil. That isn't true at
>> all, the peak voltage is many times the actual turns ratio would
>produce.
>
>   Wrong.
>
>   The turns ratio works just as expected in that application.   The
>secondary voltage is equal to the primary voltage multiplied by the turns
>ratio. 

Indeed, Marv.  I confirmed this with an oscilloscope.  The primary V 
spike is generated by the collapsing field when battery current flow 
stops in the primary -- i.e., the ignition contact opening, in days of 
yore.  Even though the battery is only 12v, when the flow of current in 
the primary stops, the collapsing magnetic field induces a few hundred 
volt spike in the primary.  The points' Capacitor (Typ 0.15uF) and 
L-primary resonate typically c. 100KHz in a '69 BMW.  The spike rings the 
L-C resonant circuit for a few cycles, and the typical 100 to 1 step-up 
iratio increases the few hundred V spike by a factor of 100.
>
>    Note:  the primary voltage is not always equal to the battery (or
>system) voltage.   Do I have to explain the whole process here or... just
>let this comment initiate a worldwide ringing?  :-)
>
>> Remove the capacitor in an old-style ignition, and watch the voltage 
>> drop!
>
>   Only because the points, which are not opened instantaneously, will
>arc (gosh, there's that arcing again...) thereby stealing the stored
>ignition coil energy out of the primary instead allowing it to exit the
>secondary where it can help make smog.
>
>
>73 & Good evening,
>   Marv  WC6W
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>*
>
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-  R. L. Measures, a.k.a. Rich..., 805.386.3734, AG6K, 
www.vcnet.com/measures.  
end

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