What characterizes a shower of sparks ignition system?

What characterizes a shower of sparks ignition system?

• A. A magneto that only produces a hot spark at start.
• B. A system that uses a battery to produce a spark.
• C. An ignition system that uses a spark plug to retard timing.
• D. An induction vibrator to send pulsating DC into retard breaker points on one magneto, providing a hot and retarded spark for starting.

Answer: (D)

Shower of sparks ignition means you get many sparks in quick succession at the spark plug while cranking, not just one. This is achieved by using an induction vibrator that sends pulsating DC into the retard breaker points on a magneto. Those rapid current pulses cause a rapid sequence of sparks—the “shower.” The timing is set retarded during starting so the engine is easy to turn over and to reduce the chance of pre-ignition while the mixture and compression are not yet ideal. The result is a hot, energetic spark delivered during starting, increasing the likelihood of ignition on every crank cycle. Once the engine catches, the system normally switches to normal timing operation.

Shower of sparks ignition means you get many sparks in quick succession at the spark plug while cranking, not just one. This is achieved by using an induction vibrator that sends pulsating DC into the retard breaker points on a magneto. Those rapid current pulses cause a rapid sequence of sparks—the “shower.” The timing is set retarded during starting so the engine is easy to turn over and to reduce the chance of pre-ignition while the mixture and compression are not yet ideal. The result is a hot, energetic spark delivered during starting, increasing the likelihood of ignition on every crank cycle. Once the engine catches, the system normally switches to normal timing operation.