Magneto conversion to electronic

Vincent C · Oct 8, 2020

Hello all,
Bought a Pertronix electronic distributor for my Wisconsin VF4D. Pertronix says two types for this model, vertical and horizontal, i have a horizontal. I want to rid myself of the Fairbanks magneto system running currently. The new distributor needs a right angle adapter to fit into the flywheel and allow the distributor to be inserted. Is this possible? Thanks in advance.

Crazy Horse · Oct 8, 2020

So Petronix offers an electronic conversion kit but isn't able to tell you if an adapter is available? Hmmm, that seems strange. I can see Wisconsin not knowing, this conversion has nothing to do with them but Petronix?

J Hamilton · Oct 8, 2020

What's wrong with the magneto?

Vincent C · Oct 8, 2020

Hello CH,
The part im looking for appears to be a govenor assembly. Its a Wisconsin part and bolts into the flywheel area. im just not sure if I buy this part it will work. It looks like the distributor goes into it and Pertronix should have that sized. Im not schooled on the whole removal of the magneto components and sticking this gear into the same socket. Is it that simple? Just find #1 piston on compression and line up the rotor? What to do wit the govenor?

Vincent C · Oct 8, 2020

magneto is being intermittent. loses spark then returns. hey there's a bunch of working parts in there i would prefer to rid myself of with new tech if possible.

Crazy Horse · Oct 8, 2020

Sounds like things are getting complicated, I hope somebody can help you. For sure you need a governor. Meanwhile, you must not have much faith in the magneto ignition for whatever reason. I think they still use them on gasoline airplane engines for a simple reason, they're pretty bulletproof.

Tramway Guy · Oct 8, 2020

The magneto on the odd-fire engine ran at crankshaft speed and fires twice for each cycle of the piston. The distributors were generally half speed with a weird shaped cam in it. And distributors can be mounted in the ‘V’ or on the end of the generator.
I think it’s not so simple as you think.

Vincent C · Oct 8, 2020

Tramway, thanks. Complications that ive read and trying to wrap my arms around. maybe someone can simplfy this for me as ive read in the book this was a 1/2 speed. Just dont understand if the distributor will mount up, and of course Pertronix has take the speed into account. Im awaiting an email back from there Tech support, but with the vid, who knows when that response will come.

wore out · Oct 8, 2020

(quoted from post at 14:32:38 10/08/20) Hello all,
Bought a Pertronix electronic distributor for my Wisconsin VF4D. Pertronix says two types for this model, vertical and horizontal, i have a horizontal. I want to rid myself of the Fairbanks magneto system running currently. The new distributor needs a right angle adapter to fit into the flywheel and allow the distributor to be inserted. Is this possible? Thanks in advance.

You apparently have NO IDEA how much better off you would be to get the mag you have repaired/tuned up and toss the junktronics conversion in the trash.

Replacing tried and true TOUGH stuff with a FRAGILE E.I. unit is not necessarily an "upgrade".

The fact that you think the distributor drive "fits into the flywheel" rather than realizing it's driven off of the timing gears is a dead giveaway that you are in "over your head" with this, and you will save time and money and aggravation simply having the mag repaired, IMHO.

I mean no disrespect, just telling you like it is.

gene bender · Oct 9, 2020

when the mag is running the only moving part is the rotor and the points opening and closing. Look for a bare wire someplace as a mag will not have spark when running the then stop and start again having spark start with the on-off switch better stay with the mag

Naylorbros · Oct 9, 2020

The easiest thing that you might be able to do is find another Wisconsin like you have that already has a distributor on it. Personally I would rebuild and stay with the mag. They are a very simple devise. One of the reasons engine manufacturers went to the distributor was cost. If there is already going to be a battery, generator, starter on the machine a distributor was the cheapest way to go.

Vincent C · Oct 9, 2020

Wore Out. I make no admission not to be in over my head, but as a 62 year old man that has been wrenching since able to walk, i can handle information. Seems you may have something to share. I understand it is this right angle mag case that has the gears this distributor slide into, just unsure if ratios match up and the same. Ive contacted both Pertronix and Wisconsin dealers and find myself dealing with inexperience.

Furthermore, as a retired electrician I have watched technology bypass some of those old parts I used to stand by. I dont want to get into the workings of a magneto, but the EI has less moving parts.

If you have something to share please do.

Duner Wi · Oct 9, 2020

Part # for adapter is TF112 replaced by TF122C. This is 1/2 speed adapter only and fit VE4,VF4 and VH4.
This adapter also fits into where your magneto used to be. These adapters would be easier to find on junked VH4 as they did not use generator and dist combination that mount where your mag is. You have to be certain your distributor will fire an odd fire VF4 with 1/2 speed drive. I think part numbers are correct.
Pertronix catalog lists VF4 dist but same number for other 4 cylinder application that are even fire. So with listed dist you would need a full speed adapter. I have a VF4 with 1/2 speed adapter from VH4. Works fine with
dist that will fire odd fire engine. Please post back what you find out from Pertronix.

Vincent C · Oct 9, 2020

Now were talking Derner Wi. let me wrap my head around this, gather info from Pertronix and reply.

Thanks very much.
So nice to be on the internet having conversations that are not combative! Debate is good, but whats been going on is not healthy.

wilson ind · Oct 9, 2020

YES on mag. When I still could pass physical I felt MUCH safer with mag ignition than any distributer that may have been on an airplane. Except for home built planes using auto engines I never saw a battery ignition.

Vincent C · Oct 22, 2020

I believe your on to something. manual says bare wires also. Ran for two full days and ran out of gas. Filled it up and the spark was gone... or maybe low tank and spark killed it in the first place.
None the less the darn thing is horizontal and backed up to the oil filter, like 2" away. Have to remove the filter just to get the cap off.
I sent the Electronic Iggy back on old school advice from the men above. Theres this wick that needs oil and manual says authorized only. Another problem, there is no magno rebuilders in No. Cal!
Thank in advance.

buickanddeere · Oct 22, 2020

It should work just fine rotating the distributer at crankshaft rpm . Operates in wasted spark mode which is not a problem .

Magneto conversion to electronic

Vincent C

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Crazy Horse

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J Hamilton

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Vincent C

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Vincent C

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Crazy Horse

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Tramway Guy

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Vincent C

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wore out

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gene bender

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Naylorbros

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Vincent C

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Duner Wi

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Vincent C

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wilson ind

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Vincent C

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buickanddeere

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