Row Boat Motor Magnetos

[Buccaneer]

I haven’t had much luck with replies regarding the magneto (base mount, tractor style)
for the Wisconsin M, but will try again.
The original mag was not included with the Wisconsin, nor any mag for that matter.
(Kind of like when you were a kid Christmas morning with a new toy and no batteries
for it!)
Anyway, I got a Bendix Scintilla H1-4 magneto to play around with.
It shouldn’t be too hard to adapt a plate to the bottom to mount
it to the mount holes in the Wisconsin. Figuring out how to
couple the magneto to the Wisconsin’s magneto drive shaft will be
trickier. The magneto has an impulse coupling, which I’m not sure
can be used. No idea how the original missing Elkhart magneto was
built, or if it was designed to run in either direction. The Bendix
definitely won’t run CCW with the impulse mag on it.
I might have to turn the magneto into a distributor and hook
it up to a battery if all else fails.
Any thoughts on using the impulse coupling, or suggestions in general
most appreciated.
Thanks.

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Attachments:

Prepare to be boarded!

[Buccaneer]

I tore apart the magneto today, cleaned it all up, tested
the coil on the Stevens, and put it back together, less the impulse dog,
coil spring and coupler. It "sparks" a plug just by spinning the armature
by hand, so that’s a good start. It’s designed for CW rotation, and
It does "not" spark when spinning CCW. I presume that’s because of
the point’s cam, which is ground into the armature shaft.

I’ve never started a RBM before, but assume as others that I have
watched being started, that my Wisconsin would be started by
bouncing it off compression. Therefore, I will leave the impulse
"guts" off the magneto, as I don’t think the mag will spin backwards
with that on. Hopefully it will have a hot enough spark as starting
speed to "fire off".

Not sure how I’ll couple the magneto to the Wisconsin yet.
I won’t be able to advance the spark on this magneto while the
engine is running. What would be a good "compromise" on the
spark timing, so it idles decent and will go putt putt fast?
A little before TDC?

The condenser that came with the Bendix magneto tested at .48 mfd’s.
The parts list shows the condenser as part # 10-58224Y.
I find no reference to it on the Net. Could .48 mfd’s be normal????
Thanks!

Prepare to be boarded!

[chris-p]

I think you are in such unfamiliar waters you may have to plug your nose and go under!

Sorry I cannot help, I am following along with interest though. Far out of my wheelhouse. Hopefully someone else has been down this path that can guide you.

Good luck.

[wbeaton]

Wish I could help, as well. I’m following along intently. Sadly, most of the RBM knowledge has either left this world or doesn’t post much (or at all) on this board.

Wayne
Upper Canada Chapter

uccaomci.com

[chris-p]

I believe the set up is very similar to my 1914 Ferro? Perhaps a more suitable donor would be best? Not sure.

[Buccaneer]

Thanks guys, guess I’ll just be a guinea pig and try to
get the mag mounted and see what happens.

I was also wondering about a "spark plug" for the Wisconsin.
It takes a 1/2" pipe thread. They’re still available for
Maytags and Model T’s, but not sure if it matters what
I get. I also see advertised 1/2" NPT to 14 mm thread
conversion pipe fittings for sale. That’s an option,
but I still wouldn’t know what heat range.
Thoughts?

Prepare to be boarded!

[Buccaneer]

quote Chris_P:

I believe the set up is very similar to my 1914 Ferro? Perhaps a more suitable donor would be best? Not sure.

Chris, curious, but does your Ferro run in either direction?

Prepare to be boarded!

[cajuncook1]

Buc, I think Chris and Wayne have offer some good advice. Seek out the RBM special interests captains. I believe they are located in the inner sanctum. Jack Crabb has some good information on his site. Art D has some literature for sale as well. I starterd on my 1916 Evinrude RBM a couple of years back, but life got in the way. Hope to get back to it soon.

I do wish our inner sanctum had more information about RBM’S

You can join the RBM AOMCI chapter/group. I’m sorry, I forgot who leads that group. Maybe someone will know and contact you.

Cheers and enjoying your enthusiasm.

Cajun

[wbeaton]

I believe Chris Scratch is the Prime Minister of the Southern Ontario Rowboat Motor Chapter.

Wayne
Upper Canada Chapter

uccaomci.com

[david-bartlett]

Tom,

I wish I could contribute to this thread, but like others, this one is over my pay grade!

I admire your perseverance with these cool motors you come up with. You do great work and add a lot to this hobby. Keep it up.

[Author]

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