HOW TO BUILD AND USE A MAGNETO MAGNET CHARGER
March/April 1978
H. L. Ritter
 |
Design for Magnet Recharger
|
Route 5, Box 127, Fulton, New York 13069
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The cores of the electromagnet are made of soft bar steel one
inch in diameter and three inches long. They are secured to a steel
base measuring 5? x 1? x 5/8' and
are provided with pole pieces measuring 1? x 1? by
5/8'. All contacting surfaces should be
absolutely flat and square so that there will be good metalic
contact over the entire surfaces. Before the wire is wound on them,
the magnet cores must be insulated. A spool may be formed by
placing fiber or cardboard washers around each end of the magnet
cores and then wrapping the magnet cores themselves with several
layers of electricians tape. The winding for this recharger is for
use on 6 or 12 volt direct current, from automobile storage
batteries. Applying three layers of No. 12 double cotton covered
magnet wire is preferred. However, No. 12 gauge copper
thermoplastic covered type 'TW' house and building wire
will give satisfactory service and results. Wind the wire around
the electromagnet cores as shown in the illustrations and then wrap
tape around the windings, to hold them in place. Mount the
recharger on a wooden base large enough to also hold a single pole
switch and a binding post.
CAUTION, the switch is a must, as the recharger draws high
amperage from the battery. As a result, the battery has a tendency
to produce some flammable gas, and any sparks around the battery
vents could cause a fire and/or an explosion. Therefore, do not
connect or disconnect the lead wires from the battery when the
recharger is turned on. The windings will heat up quickly when in
use; therefore, the switch should be closed for only a few minutes
at a time. When a magneto is taken apart for any reason, it must be
assembled with the magnets in the same relative position as
formerly, otherwise their polarity may be reversed and the magneto
will be inoperative. The magnets must never be left off the magneto
even temporarily, without placing a steel bar across their poles to
serve as a keeper. Unless this is done, they will lose their
magnetism rapidly. Re-magnetizing the magnets of a magneto that has
become weakened through long use is a simple process.