One thing to consider is the switch being bumped and killing the engine when you really don't want that to happen. There are a myriad of "pull to unlock" toggle switches available that can prevent this. Below is an image of one with the locking mechanism shown in the red circle.
not knowing any better I used one of these 240 volt AC rated switches I found at an estate sale who knows when..
I would ***ume a 240V switch would be fine, right? Admittedly, everything electric is magic to me... But what is the requirement on a Harman Collins Mag?
I know this is probably dumb, but does the guy that built the Mag have any suggestions on what switches he would recommend? The mag is beautiful, maybe he offers a matching switch?
Brillman sells tractor resto stuff, and has a few pretty utilitarian looking push/pull magneto switches available. Two are similar to ones posted already. The third has a black knob that would be subtle. https://brillman.com/product/2-position-push-pull-magneto-switch-magneto-ignition/ https://brillman.com/product/ihc-push-pull-magneto-switch/ https://brillman.com/product/push-pull-magneto-ignition-switch-oem-1-terminal/
Bentley used some cool ones !! I like the br*** one that bolts to the dash personally . Pretty sure you could make one up that looks old with the right combination of parts
Magneto switches are brutally simple - until they aren't. Just a suggestion for anybody who wants to run a mag on a drag car, as I do: The tech guys require that the engine dies when an external master switch is turned off. On a car with a mag it does not, necessitating an installation of a relay activated kill circuit. The dash can be configured to look old timey, but somewhere you need a fail safe way to kill a drag car engine, and it is a good idea anytime a mag is used.
Want to have fun with your friends that don’t know what a magneto can do? How about a knife switch? Just tell them it won’t hurt if they touch the open pair that are really the pair to kill the magneto. Then sit back and have a good chuckle… Okay so it’s a little crude, good for a zap or two
these switches are out of the era & on the large size, but man oh man do they feel good when operating them, internally they have a spring loaded roller that glides over the contacts in a very positive but smooth action. The double stacked switch is for mag #2 which also incorporates a coil for starting Another bonus of these switches is that they can be rebuilt too. These were made by one of the lads at work.
Is there any reason why the regular ignition switch won't work with a mag? what if you wired a relay in to the mag circuit that is normally closed (providing the ground with the key off) and when the key is on the relay opens and allows the car to run. Or is it a "hot rod" thing to have a Mag switch?
What about no switch on the dash at all. Instead, use an old style floor mounted headlight dipper switch.
You could absolutely do that… But, it’s widely thought that it’s easier on parts and an easier to start a mag car, by cranking the motor for a bit, and then while still cranking, turn the mag on. Obviously, you can’t do that with the starter and mag on the same ignition switch. I’ve noticed that a lot of early mag switches are actually keyed. And I thank you all!
I think that may be true if you are running a ton of initial advance that it is easier on the starter. but under normal cir***stances I don't know it it is true. If you look at my video above on Dean Moons boat, that thing started super easy and the timing was at 34 degrees total (I don't remember the initial)
Thinking about it now, you had that advance plate made so you can experiment with the timing... separate switch... carry on
Right. This mag does not have an advance. What you set at idle is what you live with all the way to the redline. Initial timing all the way to redline. And the cam is properly mean… The kind that wakes up late and wants a lot of timing once the revs come up. So in this setup, it actually makes sense to me... And besides…Who in their right mind would turn down a legitimate excuse to install a cool *** switch?
I get it now, I did not know there was no mech advance on these.... this is why there was a discussion on dash mounted cable timing adjusters a while back. Are you going to run one of them?
I was thinking the same thing, pull choke, right foot pump gas, starter ****on at the left foot and right hand on mag switch. the way I have mine set up it's very awkward to work starter first then magneto. I suppose I could move the mag switch to the left side.. but it seems to work just fine now, mag on then start. I get how the boat switch is pull off so it isn't accidentally bumped off but it just feels backward, I'd rather have it like a panic switch, slap and it's off.
I was told that it is easier to remember that way. pushing the switch makes the vehicle go forward... I mount under dash toggles the same way, pushing them ahead makes the vehicle move ahead.. just a memory thing
You could probably do that. In my case I will use all of the switches with one for the mag and the rest most likely lighting control, etc.
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