!2 volt battery to opperate coils

trainguy

Well-known member
Is there a problem using a 12 volt M/C battery to opperate ign coils to start my 1910[has Kingston coils]?The engine runs on mag.So the 12 volts is only for starting.It presently has a 6volt battery and can be difficult to start after setting for some time.Thanks Phil
 
I don't think there's going to be much of a difference Train. I mean 6 or 12 vts. isn't going to create a much greater spark at the plug. It always goes back to the old litany: are the coils properly set up? (HCCT'd)? That makes a hell of a difference by the way. The list goes on: timer, carb settings, fuel & spark lever settings, plug condition, engine compression, ect. My '23 started, dead cold on mag after I replaced the condensers and a friend set them up the coils on his HCC tester. The car never started or ran better. I was a buzz box man for years. No more. They need HCCing. Period.
 
Charlie,I am in the process of sending a set of coils to R.V. Anderson to be set up.The 6volt batt in the car does't hold a charge very long an needs to be replaced,I figured that a 12volt may be better and is easier to find.Thanks for answering my question. Phil
 
The 12 volt battery will give faster ramp up then 6. There is no problem using 12 volts as a good magneto will put out around 36 V at around 1400 rmp. While the battery is DC and the magneto it AC, the coils don't care.
 
The 12 is easier to find. Cycle or lawn mower whatever's cheaper. As Red Said it won't hurt + the coils don't mind.
 
Not to beat the topic to death, but I'll concur. 12v on the coils will only make the engine start and run better.

As redmodelt noted, magneto voltage at high rpm is over 30v. My '26 roadster runs on 12v exclusively as the magneto was removed long ago. No problems.


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Some body tested this and posted a graph on "another site". According to his findings the coils actually do slightly better on 12 than 6. AC from the mag is bets for them as far as point life is concerned but run what 'ya brung.
 
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