Magneto testing

[Mollbhan]

Probably not the only person to have tried this but I have always used an electric fence meter to check if the mag output is up to scratch, kicked over a good mag will show 4000v with 3000 being more the norm, anything less is suspect. These meters are not expensive and should give a good idea of the mags output.

[SPRIDDLER]

Interesting idea. I've never thought of checking the voltage but just opened up the plug to maybe 3/16" or 1/4" when a good mag will produce a nice blue spark at an unhurried kickstart speed or on the bench at finger-flicking speed.

There's a useful article on Groily's website (Brightspark Magnetos). http://www.brightsparkmagnetos.com/

Magneto checking..JPG

I made up a more pragmatic tester, the 'Spridspark' ........

CIMG0028 (640x480).jpg

[Ralph]

I decided to get a old magdyno going for a spare, after a striping and cleaning
I decided to test the spark by sticking a screwdriver on the pick up connection
and holding the shaft so to form a gap to the mag body and giving the points
a spin, holy crap batman, it did not go well, still not found the screwdriver,
but at least I do have a good mag as spare.
Every cloud as they say.

[SPRIDDLER]

Probably not the only person to have tried this but I have always used an electric fence meter to check if the mag output is up to scratch,

Having an inquisitive mind I do like to know about techy things so I Googled 'Electric Fence Tester'.
This home made one is not so different from my 'Spridspark' tester........

[shaunstaples]

Haha, I trained with an old chap, who would diagnose by sticking his finger in the suppressor cap and fire a spark from a finger of his other hand. We all wanted to do it but only him and the electrician could do it, both of them 60+ !!
It was an education just to talk to him, the rest of us must have webbed feet, and only stood near him just the once…
Plastic thimble for me though!