alexvaggio 0 #1 Posted October 19, 2014 Have a 1968 Electro 12 and I have no spark. I set the points to 18 thousandths. has brand new points, had the condenser and magneto checked and everyone says they are ok. there is a black box on the magneto that two wires come out of. one wire goes to the points and condenser. The other is the spark plug wire. I am having problems with this box smoking whenever the key is turned on. now if I remove the power wire that runs directly from the ignition switch to the condenser it no longer smokes when I turn the key on. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 10,488 #2 Posted October 20, 2014 In 1968 they used 2 different 12 hp engines on the Charger 12 and Raider 12. Early production used battery ignition with a starter/generator Late production used magneto ignition with 10 amp stator and Bendix starter and this is what all 1968 Electro 12's used. This manual has a wiring diagram that should match what you have. Magneto ignitions are self-powered and the only wire from the ignition switch to the ignition simply grounds the magneto to shut it off. When the ignition wire is disconnected (open circuit) the engine should run. Perhaps you have the wrong ignition switch? There should be an "M" terminal on it for the ignition wire. You do not want any battery power going to this ignition. It will release the magic smoke in a split second. Garry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alexvaggio 0 #3 Posted October 21, 2014 Yes I had to replace the ignition switch as the key was lost when I bought the tractor, here I was thinking it needed power when really it needs a ground. thank you very much and I will try to make something up. perhaps a toggle switch as a shutoff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 10,488 #4 Posted October 21, 2014 The ignition coil will have expired if battery voltage got to it. Since you might now have a battery style ignition switch (Ignition terminal identified with the letter I - eye) and need a new coil it may be a good time to switch it to battery ignition and save a few bucks. If you want to do this we can hunt up a wiring diagram for you and walk you through it. Garry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustinW.73 224 #5 Posted October 24, 2014 Yes I had to replace the ignition switch as the key was lost when I bought the tractor, here I was thinking it needed power when really it needs a ground. thank you very much and I will try to make something up. perhaps a toggle switch as a shutoff Just a regular standard tractor key should work. The one on my raider 12 is just like the old case, jd, ect tractors. you can get these keys at a (hate to say this) john deere dealer. or a tsc would definitely have one. The new key that came with the new switch might work if it is a standard tractor key. hope this helps Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alexvaggio 0 #6 Posted October 24, 2014 How much would this cost to eliminate the magneto and make it a battery ignition? The ignition coil is fried. I can get another one at a local store for $100.00. Just wondering what the cheapest and easiest route would be Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 10,488 #7 Posted October 25, 2014 I'm guessing the ignition switch you have now is for battery ignition. It will have an "i" terminal to feed the (+) terminal on an external ignition coil with a built-in resistor. You will also need a bracket to mount the coil and a condenser for battery ignition. The condenser connects to the (-) coil terminal along with the wire going to the points. A Napa coil package 7-01634 has the coil, bracket, plug wire boot for the coil end and misc. hardware to put it together. You will need a wire core spark plug wire, spark plug terminal and the boot. A Napa condenser is 7-01338. I'm in that foreign country to the north of you but guess $35-$40 will get you everything. Keep us posted with your progress. Garry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustinW.73 224 #8 Posted October 26, 2014 I'm guessing (educated guess of course) but I would think that it would cost around 150 200 for the non battery powered mag. Personally, I would just go for just a new mag thats runs off the battery like the original. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites