Atwood Kent timer – Rudder twin

[joecb]

Following up on the very informative thread about Elto Rudder twin….my first experience with the A-K timer. Much thanks to Tom, Tubs and Bucc for the explanation and great pix.

So now a question on the electrical function. With the unusual operation of the contact points, normally open and then only “bumped” closed for only a tiny fraction of a second, what’s going on electrically with the current flow through the coil?  I understand that the concept here is that the quicker the current can be interrupted the greater the field collapse and hence the greater the secondary voltage ( spark). So, I’m guessing that when the points close the circuit “shorts -out” the current flow in the primary???

Joe B

[Tom]

Current only flows when the points are closed, so you can leave the battery hooked up and not worry about burning out the points or the coil.  The A-K system was used in cars, too, even an aftermarket distributor for the Model T.

T

[joecb]

OK , thanks Tom. I guess that those little electron “critters” are quicker than I imagen.

Joe B

[Author]

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