coil
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Elkhart IN
coil
what causes a ignition coil to fire a spark? im just curious cause im planning on making a big "potato gun" and need something bigger than a spark from a electric click lighter. thanks in advance.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
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From: Topsfield, MA
This is a perfect thread for our General Automotive Discussion forum 
You could use a spark plug and coil setup to fire it...just applying 12v to the two wires on the coil will cause it to supply power to the spark plug. You may want to try something smaller, like a lawnmower coil and spark plug.
You could use a spark plug and coil setup to fire it...just applying 12v to the two wires on the coil will cause it to supply power to the spark plug. You may want to try something smaller, like a lawnmower coil and spark plug.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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In answer to your question, the coil is a step-up transformer that uses a collapsing magnetic field to generate a high voltage that will jump the gap at the plug and cause a spark. 12 volts is applied to the + side of the coil and the - side is turned on and off (either by the points or the control module in an electronic ignition). When the - side is connected to ground, current flows through the coil and a magnetic field is formed around the 'coils' of wire in the coil. When it's time, the points open and the - side of the coil is not connected to anything. This stopps the flow of current and causes the magnetic field to collapse. As it collapses, the field moves through the coil wires and induces a voltage. The number of turns in the coil steps the voltage up to several thousand volts. The faster the feild collapses the more voltage generated by the coil. The field actually collapses faster that it is created thus you get a better spark when the points open.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,377
Likes: 2
From: Elkhart IN
well i could use the "clicker" but the only way ive been able to get a ignition from it is to set the gap very close and in a big chamber it doesnt like to like the fuel.
thanks for all the input everyone.
chrono
thanks for all the input everyone.
chrono
