Weird gadget thing

[Richardsix]

Has anyone ever come across one of these before, I have just found one, boxed, brand new with instructions.
This is the only article I can find on it, bit hard to read, but please take a look....bit intrigued by it now.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1 ... 00,6416099
Thanks
Richard

[lambrettalad]

Fantastic post ,loved the advert for lazy housewives ,imagine that today

[moggiethouable]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage_multiplier
You did ask.

[Richardsix]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage_multiplier
You did ask.

Ahhhh....that makes it as clear as mud!

[KeithGSY]

OK this is a guess but I suspect this is a transistor acting as a switch. The transistor is bypassed until you press the button on starting when the points turn the transistor on / off and the transistor drives the coil. This is exactly like many budget "electronic" ignition units. Clever thing about this is it is only active when manually engaged for starting. The big problem with using the points to trigger an electronic ignition is they run at much lower current and so do not burn, but neither do they self-clean, so it is usually only a matter of time before the car stops!

Though it could no doubt help starting just as bypassing the ballast resistor does on many 80's cars I suspect in true marketing tradition the claims are slightly? exagerated.

When active the condenser is not relevant, hence the comments about breakdowns.

[Richardsix]

OK this is a guess but I suspect this is a transistor acting as a switch. The transistor is bypassed until you press the button on starting when the points turn the transistor on / off and the transistor drives the coil. This is exactly like many budget "electronic" ignition units. Clever thing about this is it is only active when manually engaged for starting. The big problem with using the points to trigger an electronic ignition is they run at much lower current and so do not burn, but neither do they self-clean, so it is usually only a matter of time before the car stops!

Though it could no doubt help starting just as bypassing the ballast resistor does on many 80's cars I suspect in true marketing tradition the claims are slightly? exagerated.

When active the condenser is not relevant, hence the comments about breakdowns.

Agree with all you have said....but I have never seen one of these before, very little info on this thingy, just wondering if I have found a piece of forgotten motoring history...., knowing my luck I would be better spending a pound on the lottery tonight!

[lambrettalad]

a transistor is a switch ,they replaced the older glass valve

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Worth giving it a try I suppose but Minors always (should) start first turn when cold anyway.