Author Topic: Ignition Box  (Read 1713 times)

Offline awake

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Ignition Box
« on: March 25, 2020, 12:36:06 AM »
Following the lead of Brian Rupnow and others, I decided to make an "ignition box" to hold a battery and automotive coil, with leads that can be hooked up run to an engine that has points and condensor ignition. The pictures below show what I came up with - a 3d printed box and lid. As you can see, I need to do some tuning on my 3d printer to reduce the "ringing"! And I need to put some white paint in so that the letters are more visible / readable. But it works!

One side of the box has three connectors, one each for ground, points, and spark. The other side of the box has two connectors, ground and 12v, and a SPDT switch with center off. When the switch is moved to the "CHG" position, the battery is connected directly to the GND and 12V connectors, allowing it to be charged with an external charger. When it is moved to the "RUN" position, it is wired up to run the engine. And in  the middle, of course, nothing is connected, allowing a way to switch off the engine.

It is not obvious from these pictures, but the box is printed so that there are recesses in the box itself and in the lid that "capture" the battery and the coil and hold them in place. You can see a bit of that in the next post, where I have a picture of the box being printed.
« Last Edit: March 25, 2020, 12:48:12 AM by awake »
Andy

Offline awake

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Re: Ignition Box
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2020, 12:39:48 AM »
In case you are interested, here are a couple more odds and ends. Attached are pictures of the underside of the wooden engine platform, showing the wiring in grooves, held in place with sloppy hot glue. Also there is a picture at around 20 hours into printing the box (out of about 22.5 total).

And here is a video of the box being used to run the Steel Webster, just because I can't ignore any excuse to run it!

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAD5BmoZ7l0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAD5BmoZ7l0</a>

Finally, in case anyone is interested in printing out this design, I've attached links to the .STL files - they are too large to upload directly to the forum:

http://www.wakefieldphd.com/hobbies/ignition_box.stl
http://www.wakefieldphd.com/hobbies/ignition_box_lid.stl
« Last Edit: March 25, 2020, 12:43:03 AM by awake »
Andy

Offline 10KPete

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Re: Ignition Box
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2020, 06:06:37 AM »
That little engine makes a sound that brings joy to my heart.

Thank you.

Pete
Craftsman, Tinkerer, Curious Person.
Retired, finally!
SB 10K lathe, Benchmaster mill. And stuff.

Offline J.L.

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Re: Ignition Box
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2020, 08:45:41 PM »
Great video!

You must bre very pleassed with your work!  :ThumbsUp:

John

Offline awake

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Re: Ignition Box
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2020, 10:00:30 PM »
Thank you, Pete and John!

Yes, very pleased, and I enjoy the sound as well. Did I mention finding every possible excuse to go out and fire it up? :)
Andy

 

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