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MSL1-11 Magneto Kill Switch

Submitted by john_carter on Wed, 10/05/2023
Forums
Electrical

I have an MSL1 type magneto on my 1936 Norton Model 18. If I install a kill switch or a oil tap with a magneto connection, is the earth terminal on the top right of the casing in the attached picture the one to connect to?

Thanks

John 

Attachments
InkedMSL1-11 Magneto .jpg

Submitted by david_cooper on Wed, 10/05/2023

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That looks like a normal cover unless it's been modified.  There is no cutout connection normally available in the magdyno.

Kingpin (and others) sell a special cover with a switch.  It's usually used to interlock with oil tap, otherwise it has no use when a decompressor is fitted.

Submitted by neil_wyatt on Wed, 10/05/2023

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I bought mine from Paul Goff.. Turns it all off with a key, for extra security. (88 Dommie)

Of course, on most singles you just use the de-compressor.

Submitted by john_carter on Thu, 11/05/2023

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Thanks for the responses and sorry, the kill switch bit was a red herring... I use the decompressor to stop the engine. I want to install an oil tap and need an earth connection on the magneto to avoid starting the machine without turning the oil on. The grub screw marked in the picture is clearly meant to have a wire connected to it so is that the connection to use or do I need a cover with a switch. Usually this sort of info is lurking on the web somewhere but I can find very little on the MSL1 mag. If not for this purpose any ideas what the terminal is for? 

Thanks again

John

Submitted by alan_osborn on Thu, 11/05/2023

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That you got from PG is supplied by AO. But only works on an Electrical earthing terminal if the magneto has one. ie K2F and K1. There is an easy answer here. IF the magneto has an 'electrical' terminal, then taking it to Earth will 'kill' the engine. If that is what you want for the oil switch?

Submitted by jonathan_newton on Thu, 11/05/2023

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For  my  pre-war machine, this terminal is wired to the "E" terminal of my regulator box (F.A.D.E.) giving the reg an earth path to the Mag Dyno directly, as opposed to the frame, engine plates, engine bolts and mag mount.

 

J

Submitted by alan_osborn on Thu, 11/05/2023

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Therefore, the DYNAMO has an earth to the frame/battery. Fine, and the magneto gets to be earthed by the same terminal it would seem? BUT this is NOT a terminal you can earth for a magneto kill switch (or oil/off switch). The DYNAMO and THE regulator both need a common earth and to the battery. The frame as an earth is convenient and coincidental.

Submitted by john_carter on Fri, 12/05/2023

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Thanks to all for your comments. I will now execute plan B and fit an oil tap without a cutout and make a big red sign to remind me to turn the oil on.

Submitted by david_cooper on Sat, 13/05/2023

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My 16H wet sumps very slowly, over a period of weeks rather than days.  But, unlike the Inter, it is so easy to start that I just fire it up and run it slowly for a few minutes to pump it back.  All the heavy loads are on roller bearings and not on plain bearings (which are more sensitive to lack of oil), so it's not likely to come to harm with all that splash lubrication going on.  Why not wait and see before risking a tap?  As far as I know, a wet sump hasn't wrecked an engine, but taps do frequently.

Submitted by john_carter on Sat, 13/05/2023

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That's a good point David. How much oil leaks through to the sump in a given period is very inconsistent for reasons I don't understand. It sometimes smokes lavishly for a minute after starting and sometimes doesn't , even if not started for weeks, but there's no apparent harm done.To the engine at least, can't speak for the atmosphere. Maybe I won't bother.

Submitted by richard_payne on Sun, 14/05/2023

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Andy Marks makes a cut-out cover for the face-cam MO1 Magdyno. I'm not sure that anyone does for the earlier ring-cam mags ?

https://shop.kingpincomponents.co.uk/points-caps/mo1-points-cap-with-cutout-in-metal

The grub screw on the body is indeed simply a common earthing point.

Magdyno Earth

 

 

 


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