Shay 120 ignition

[enginecrazy]

Hi anyone got any idea what coil is fitted to a 120 shay rotogardener, the internet seems to think its a BUX engine and from the diagrams I have to agree, the trouble is my ignition set up is totally different. Anyone familiar with this machine or know where I can locate a coil, help would be greatly appreciated. Hopefully have attached photos, photo of setup was posed for shot so ignore wiring etc.

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[charlie]

I have an idea the magneto is a WIPAC item from memory.

[andyfrost]

I would go for Miller , in which case they have long been obsolete.

Andy.

[wristpin]

That is the same set up as on my Shay. Fortunately my coil was ok and the condenser dud. I used a Briggs condenser which worked OK but a Meco module would replace both the points and the condenser.
Have you actually had the coil tested on a proper ignition tester – or just jumped to the conclusion that it has failed?

[enginecrazy]

Hi
not had it tested on a ignition tester, but both primary and secondary read same ohms but both together read approx 1.5 ohms to me that says shorted windings. Good to hear yours is ok but I thing I will have to try to sorce another coil or replace the whole ignition set some way, any ideas welcome.

[enginecrazy]

Hi wristpin took your advice and took coil to have tested no one seems to have any form of test equipment, and the largest repair firm near me were not interested with the comment from their engineer “no we don’t test any more because if it’s broke it don’t work”, plus during the handling one of the connectors has been broken off so if it was’t duff before it is now. If you have any ideas to get round this it would be a great help.

[wristpin]

Unfortunately there is a whole generation of so called garden machinery specialists where the knowledge base is limited to rotary mowers with electronic ignition. It may be possible to recover the damage to your coil if there is enough of the terminal left to solder a tag wire to; an old school radio or electronics repairer or even an amateur electronics enthusiast may be your best bet as there may be just one chance to get it right.

[charlie]

A rather pointless statement,’if its broke it dont work’ because you wont know if its broke till you have tested it! It might be worth speaking to someone like George at Villiersparts to see if they can yest it or recommend somewhere that could.

[enginecrazy]

Hi thanks for the tips, will have to do some more investigating. Twenty years ago I could have easily found a dozen places like you describe. One I knew and have used would have been able to have sorted it as a bit of fun, now i’m afraid around me they seemed to have lost the battle against cost/rent and people not bothering to repair, just seems too easy to replace. So with the aid of the internet and some like-minded people hopefully my machine will work again. It may just take a little longer. Let me know if you have any helpful tips, even if it means replacing the whole ignition system. Cheers from someonewho does like mending machines just for the fun of it.

[vhgmcbuddy]

hi i need a new coil for my shay rotoscythe
did any of you know where i could find a new one

cheers jacob

[mickattwo]

I have a couple of Shay engines not complete for free
PM me

[Author]

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