push pull ignition switch to key conversion

Is it possible to replace the push/pull ingnition switch on my 1949 C with a key switch? This is a mageneto fired tractor, and it appears to me that there is a single wire from the mag to the switch. Key switches generally have at least 2 wire. This tractor is no longer used for farming. It's my hobby/labor of love. I would like to convert it to a key just for security reasons. Please let me know. Thanks!

No, a standard key switch will not do what you want it to. But I'd guess grounding key switches are made. (Grounds when key is off) The other option may be a keyed primary disconnect that would prevent the starter from running. Another option may be a switch that is made to lock on. A switch that the key could be removed in the "on" position.

Google is a good thing...http://brillman.com/store/b95537-type-magneto-switch-p-2521.html

that was easy. I'm going to order a couple

(quoted from post at 04:46:20 05/19/11) Google is a good thing...http://brillman.com/store/b95537-type-magneto-switch-p-2521.html

Click to expand...

It would be nice to see a description as well as just a picture.

Is it possible YES

HOWEVER a typical generic 2 terminal Ignition On/Off key switch is a NORMALLY OPEN SPST (Single Pole Single Throw) configuration. In OFF theres no connection between the 2 terminals and when On theres is. One input terminal has hot battery voltage and the other output terminal is hot ONLY when shes switched to ON (to power the coil),,,, BUT THATS KIND OF THE OPPOSITE NEEDED FOR A MAG GROUNDING KILL SWITCH.

To turn a mag ignition on or off, you run a wire up from the mags kill terminal and rig a switch so that when ON theres no connection to anywhere for that wire, but when OFF theres a connection to frame ground (a ground on the kill terminal kills the spark).

NOWWWWWWW if you had a regular On/Off SPST Ignition switch with one switch terminal to the mags kill terminal and the other switch to frame ground, it would run when OFF but stop when ON
SEE THE PROBLEM I guess you could re label the switch ON where off was and OFF where on was but it woukld be bass ackwards and counter intuitive

NOTE they do make some lawn/garden tractor On Off key switches designed to kill the small engines mag when OFF by giving it a ground in the OFF position, thats the kind of switch you need, one designed for magneto operation.

Of course, an electronics supply shop will have some sort of key switch that has an extra terminal or that you can utilize to give the mags terminal a to ground connection and the older farmall push pull switches could be rigged

Now that you hopefully understand how a mag switches to be on with no ground at the kill terminal but off when theres is a ground there YOU OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO RIG A SWITCH OR USE A LAWN GARDEN TRACTOR SWITCH

Got it??????? Im headed to the Norman Station Indiana Bluegrass festival to pick n grin at the old banjo woooooooo hooooooo

John T

(quoted from post at 03:57:42 05/19/11) Is it possible to replace the push/pull ingnition switch on my 1949 C with a key switch? This is a mageneto fired tractor, and it appears to me that there is a single wire from the mag to the switch. Key switches generally have at least 2 wire. This tractor is no longer used for farming. It's my hobby/labor of love. I would like to convert it to a key just for security reasons. Please let me know. Thanks!

Click to expand...

Yes! You can get a switch from your local NAPA. If they don't have a conventional type switch they have lawn mower switches. There are 2 types of the lawn mower switch, Mag and Battery. Just get the one for the Mag.

Rick

Yes just get a sw with two terminals one terminal goes to the mag using the wire you now have and the other terminal would go to ground easy to do.

For saftey reasons you could consider putting a key type master switch between battery and starter and leave the mag switch. Since the engine would still turn if the starter rod is moved. That would kill all electric power, lights ETC.

i just took an old key switch off a old snow blower, wired it where the push-pull switch is.

I did that on my H a few years ago. I can teach my daughter not to climb on the tractor, but her little friends not so much. Just to be sure I put on a key switch for a magneto ignition lawn mower and also hooked it up with a solenoid so I use the key to crank it. Mine is a 12 volt conversion and I got sick of burned out starter switches so I killed 2 birds with one stone.

What kind of key sw that will carry the starting current when you need to start the tractor.

Like used in some construction equipment and can be found a lot of places by just searching the web. One that is made for over 1000 surge amps and over 100 continueous amps will be kind of costly. 1000-100 are probably okay for a C.
Works just like disconnecting a battery cable when off.
Just a idea I throwed out because the starting switch is on the starter operated by a pull rod and will turn the engine no matter what is done to the ignition switch.