What Is Battery Ignition System?
Battery Ignition system is used in automobiles to produce spark in the spark plug for the combustion of the fuel in the engine. This battery is rechargeable and drives energy for its recharging from an alternator. This alternator is connected from the crankshaft of the engine and converts its mechanical energy into electrical energy. A battery Ignition system has a 6 or 12-volt battery charged by an engine-driven generator to supply electricity, an ignition coil to increase the voltage, a device to interrupt current from the coil, a distributor to direct current to the correct cylinder and a spark plug projecting into each cylinder.
What You Need To Know About Battery Ignition System
- In battery ignition system, battery is very much necessary for the engine to start. It is not possible to start the engine when battery is discharged.
- Battery ignition system is commonly used in SI engines of cars and light commercial vehicles.
- In battery ignition system, current for primary circuit is obtained by a battery.
- Efficiency of the battery ignition system decreases with the reduction in spark intensity as the engine speed rises.
- Quality of park does not depend on the speed of engine because current is supplied by battery.
- In battery ignition system, a good spark is available at the spark plug, even at low speed.
- Battery ignition system requires more space when compared to magneto.
- Given that the system depends on battery, its maintenance requirement is high.
- In Battery ignition system, recharging of the battery must be done when the battery get discharged.
- Discharged battery is a common challenge of battery ignition system.
What Is Magneto Ignition System (High Tension Magneto)?
Magneto ignition system also referred to as high tension magneto, is essentially an ignition system that provides current for the ignition system of a spark-ignition engine such as petrol engine. It produces pulses of high voltage for the spark plugs. The magneto ignition system is typically same as a battery ignition system except that it has a permanent magnet generator that supplies current directly for the engine to start working. Aircraft, motorcycles and farm equipments often have magnetos.
What You Need To Know About Magneto Ignition System
- In magneto ignition system, a battery is not needed. The system ha s its own electric generator.
- Magneto ignition system is mainly used in racing cars and two wheelers.
- In the magneto ignition system, the required electric current is generated by the magneto, which is an electric generator.
- Efficiency of the magneto ignition system, improves as the engine speed rises due to high intensity spark.
- Quality of spark depends on the speed of the engine.
- In magneto ignition system, during the start of engine, quality of spark is poor because the generator produces less energy than what is required.
- Magneto ignition system is very much compact and therefore requires less space when compared to battery ignition system.
- Generally, magneto ignition system’s maintenance requirement is low when compared to battery ignition system.
- There is no such arrangement of recharging the battery in magneto ignition system.
- Given that magneto does not require a battery, challenge such as discharged battery is never experienced.
Applications of Magneto Ignition System
Magneto ignition system is widely used in:
- Widely used in two-wheeler vehicles (SI Engine).
- Power units
- Tractors
- Outboard motors and marine engines
- Natural gas engines
- Aircraft, motorcycles and farm equipments often have magnetos.
Also Read: Difference Between Dry Clutch And Wet Clutch
Difference Between Battery Ignition System And Magneto Ignition System In Tabular Form
| BASIS OF COMPARISON | BATTERY IGNITION SYSTEM | MAGNETO IGNITION SYSTEM |
| Description | Battery is very much necessary for the engine to start. It is not possible to start the engine when battery is discharged. | A battery is not needed. The system ha s its own electric generator. |
| Application | It is commonly used in SI engines of cars and light commercial vehicles. | It is mainly used in racing cars and two wheelers. |
| Current | Current for primary circuit is obtained by a battery. | The required electric current is generated by the magneto, which is an electric generator. |
| System Efficiency | Efficiency of the battery ignition system decreases with the reduction in spark intensity as the engine speed rises. | Efficiency of the magneto ignition system, improves as the engine speed rises due to high intensity spark. |
| Quality Of Spark | Quality of park does not depend on the speed of engine because current is supplied by battery. | Quality of spark depends on the speed of the engine. |
| Quality Of Spark At The Start Of The Engine | A good spark is available at the spark plug, even at low speed. | During the start of engine, quality of spark is poor because the generator produces less energy than what is required. |
| Space Requirement | System requires more space when compared to magneto. | System is very much compact and therefore requires less space when compared to battery ignition system. |
| Maintenance | System depends on battery; therefore, its maintenance requirement is high. | System maintenance requirement is low when compared to battery ignition system. |
| Battery Recharge | Recharging of the battery must be done when the battery get discharged | There is no such arrangement of recharging the battery in magneto ignition system. |
| Battery Discharge | Discharged battery is a common challenge of battery ignition system. | Does not require a battery, challenge such as discharged battery is never experienced. |
What Are Some Of The Advantages Of Magneto Ignition System?
- Magneto occupies less space
- When compared to battery ignition system, magneto requires less maintenance
- It is efficient due to high-intensity spark.
- There is no problem of battery discharge.
What Are Some Of The Disadvantages Of Magneto Ignition System?
- At the start, the quality of spark is poor due to low speed.
- It is relative expensive when compared to battery ignition system.
What Are Some Of The Advantages of Battery Ignition System?
- Initial cost of the battery ignition system is low.
- Battery ignition system gives a good spark at the beginning.
- Other than battery replacement, periodical maintenance of the battery ignition system is almost negligible
- The adjustment of spark timing has no significant effect over the complete ignition timing range.
What Are Some Of The Disadvantages Of Battery Ignition System?
- Sparking voltage drops at high-speed operation of the engine.
- When the battery is discharged of its power (battery low), the induction coil fails to operate and the engine can’t operate.
- Battery is the unreliable part of the system.
Also Read: Difference Between 2 Stroke And 4 Stroke Engine