sidevalve5An update about the 2a ET conversion. I did a thorough overhaul of the engine, it included replacing the condenser with a capacitor. Which I do as a matter of course now when working on a magneto that does not achieve my default pass level of a 6mm spark in air. I was very pleasantly surprised that the Wico Pacy flywheel magneto got up to an 8mm spark. This is massive and way beyond what is required for such an engine. I therefore decided I was going to leave well alone, it probably could not be improved with an ET conversion.
I also have a Villiers 25c, a Mk10 and an F15. The 25c had a new coil from Villiersparts. George Shead supplied some instructions of how to fit it as it was not the same as the original. It is shorter and the poles are smaller. I fitted it, the engine ran OK, but still not ideal, starting was not straightforward. I fitted a capacitor, it started much more easily and ran better, but the spark is only 4.5mm, sub-optimal. I overhauled the Mk10 years ago, it has not done too much work since. It probably has the original coil and condenser, as it has been stood I cleaned the points, the spark is only 3.5mm. The secondary resistance was 4.8KΩ, so fine. The F15 has an open circuit on the secondary, so duff. I am going to do the ET conversion on the F15 in the first instance. I also have a spare Wico Series A that had a duff condenser, did a hone of the points, fitted a capacitor and with a flick of the impulse the spark was 7.5mm.
I am confident the ET conversion will successfully improve the spark on the Villiers flywheel magnetos and if so. After the F15 will do it to the Mk10 and then the Wico A. It will then be an option for those who do not want to fork out for a new coil if there’s has failed. Or in the worst case scenario, a rewind. Will leave the 25c be for now. I am going to write a report with pictures of how to do it, with test figures of the original system and the ET conversion. I will be making it available for free to assist others if they wish to do the same. The job should take a couple of hours work and the parts cost less than £25. I hope to get the report done in the spring, but I am not renewing my membership to the VHGMC, so will not be able to give it to members through the club’s website. But it will be available through a couple of Facebook group’s ‘Files’ sections. So if a member wants to see it, search for “Grahame Aldington” and “Magneto Energy Transfer System” and something should pop up.
