Ignition switch question

Copeland · Apr 18, 2016

Just picked up 1939 Farmall H. Has 6 volt electrics. When new was handcrank only, but battery and starter added much later. Has two wire push pull ignition switch. 1 wire from switch to ground, other to magneto. Ignition switch works opposite of how it should: pulled out is off, and pushed in is on. It works fine, but why does it work this opposite way and will this hurt anything? Thanks for info on this.

16-30 oilpull · Apr 18, 2016

that's the way it's supposed to be. the switch is just grounding out the magneto. yes it's opposite of a battery ignition.

Bob Bancroft · Apr 18, 2016

Because it's a battery ignition switch. It's completing the path to ground from the magneto. No harm. I don't know what IH used originally. AC magneto switch was a one wire switch that simply grounded where it was mounted, when you pushed it in.

D beatty · Apr 18, 2016

The original mag switch was a one wire and grounded out through the switch and are still available .

Bob · Apr 18, 2016

The original mag-type ignition "kill" switch is still available, Part # 54207DB, it has one terminal and looks like THIS:

<img src = "http://i.imgur.com/jEPcHHb.jpg">

Out = run, in = stop.

For battery ignition-equipped units, they made a similar-looking switch with TWO terminals, that functions the same way for that system, Part # 62801DC.

<img src = "http://i.imgur.com/EJySdcr.jpg">

Copeland · Apr 19, 2016

Thanks, guys! I get it now. This switch is just grounding the magneto. It sounds like I should just leave the two pole switch in there and use it as it is, although it is going to take some getting used to in order to think opposite of what it should be. Thanks very much for the advice and help!

Mike M · Apr 19, 2016

Those work opposite for me too !
I had a hand crank JD LA someone installed one of those on. I finally got so mad at that switch and myself for forgetting about it everytime I'd try and start it, I took it off !!!!
Installed a kill button right on the MAG., end of switch issues. LOL.

Ignition switch question

Copeland

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16-30 oilpull

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Bob Bancroft

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D beatty

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Bob

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Copeland

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Mike M

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