Magneto toggle switch

[hcccs]

Does anyone know where I can get a toggle magneto switch like this one? I have searched for one on eBay for several weeks and found nothing. Does these things exist on the market at all or are they vintage items? If only I could find a toggle switch with reasonably long shanks I could make one myself. Anyone ... ??

[Radomir]

Is there anything special about *that* switch? I may be missing something.. but I just don't see anything obvious there that would make me want that one.. Two regular switches will do just fine..

[Brantel]

Two toggles and a switch gard and you have it. Nothing special about a switch that makes it suitable for a mag switch. As long as it grounds the P lead when in the off position, you are good.

[rvmills]

Hans,

That little panel looks pretty neat, and looks like it would be easy to fabricate the guard portion. You could probably adjust the size of the guard to fit most any toggle.

I used standard toggles, and then used guards from Perihelion Design

Here's what mine look like...colored toggle covers, courtesy Stein. The guards are what Perihelion calls the old NASA/X-plane guards, and come it bright aluminum, grey, black and unfinished:



They are $6 a pair. Downside is you have to drill holes for each switchguard, but they work well. Perihelion also has Shuttle Toggle guards that cost $13.99 each, that the toggles would mount through, and thus fix the guard to the panel. They look like this:



They also have rocker switch guards that are taller, squared off versions of mine that sell for $9.75 a pair. They are also on that link above.

Just some thoughts and ideas to pass your way.

Cheers,
Bob

[elippse]

Originally Posted by Brantel

Two toggles and a switch gard and you have it. Nothing special about a switch that makes it suitable for a mag switch. As long as it grounds the P lead when in the off position, you are good.

What is overlooked often on a magneto switch is that it is connected across the points, which are across the primary coil. The magneto coil works by a rapid change in the primary current to increase its voltage, and also that of the secondary winding which goes to the plugs. The peak voltage on the secondary is a function of the pressure in the cylinder. At WOT the voltage on the secondary, and on the primary, rise to very high values, so it is important that the switch have a voltage rating which will not arc at this voltage, as this would cause the engine to stumble. Along this same line, since the "P" lead has this high voltage pulse on it, it is important that it be in a shielded wire with the shield terminated at the magneto case and at the switch. The shield should NOT be attached to a metal airframe at the switch as that will cause some of the high frequency components of the "P" lead to flow through the airframe back to the source at the magneto and can radiate those annoying spark 'ticks' into the radio.

[Jim P]

Although not quite the same (http://adap.com/images/P4290090.JPG) you can easily make up a face plate for the two switches. Not hard at all.

Jim

[HT1]

What would be a good example of a high quality toggle switch that could be used for the mags?

[miyu1975]

Maybe Stein could answer that question...I'd be interested too as I expect to be using toggle switches for mags too. I have been reading Bob Nuckols book and he discusses this option as well as adding a push button starter instead of a key starter..

[Bubblehead]

Here's two good sources:
http://www.bandc.biz/electrical-switches.aspx
http://www.steinair.com/

Check aeroelectric.com for more info. Hopefully you have the "Aeroelectric Connection" book. It explains all this.

[miyu1975]

Here is one the Kathleen made...thx K for the photos..