Diagram, parts, Working, Uses [PDF]

In this article, you’ll learn what is a Battery Ignition System. Its diagram, parts, working, advantages, disadvantages, and uses are all explained with pictures.

Also, you can download the PDF file at the end of this article.

What is a Battery Ignition System?

The battery ignition system is a form of ignition system commonly used in IC engines to start the combustion process. It is used to power the spark plug, which generates sparks to burn the air-fuel mixture in the engine.

It depends on an electrical power source, often a lead-acid battery, to produce the high-voltage sparks required to ignite the engine cylinders’ fuel-air mixture.

This technology has been useful to many vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, tiny engines, and even some stationary uses.

Let’s now explore the key components of a battery ignition system down below.

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Parts of Battery Ignition System

The following are the main parts of the battery ignition system:

#1 Battery

This system makes use of a rechargeable lead-acid battery to provide ignition power and store electrical energy. The engine powers the dynamo, which charges the battery. The ignition switch is wired to the battery.

#2 Ballast Resistor

The ballast resistor regulates the current that flows through the primary windings. It consists of iron, which has the property of rapidly increasing electrical resistance as temperature rises to a certain limit.

The increased resistance in the ignition coil prevents the electricity from flowing, thereby regulating its temperature. It helps to keep the temperature stable over time. It is connected in series with the primary winding to control the current flow.

#3 Ammeter

An ammeter is a type of measurement tool used to determine the current.

#4 Ignition Switch

An ignition switch is a crucial component that turns the system on and off.

#5 Ignition Coil

An ignition coil is the essential component of the battery ignition system which adjusts the voltage from low to high and generates sparks in the spark plug.

An ignition coil is made up of a magnetic core or soft wire and two electrical windings known as the primary and secondary windings.

#6 Primary and Secondary Winding

The primary winding has 200 to 300 turns. The current passing through the primary winding generates a magnetic field.

The secondary winding includes 21000 turns of 40 gauge wire. It is protected from high voltage by insulation.

The diagram illustrates that one end is linked to the primary winding and the other end is connected to the distributor.

#7 Contact Breaker

As the contact breaker makes and breaks the primary circuit to the ignition coil, it allows current to flow when it is closed and prevents it when it is open.

#8 Capacitor

Using a capacitor, electricity is stored in an electric field, which prevents dangerous arcing across the breaker point.

#9 Distributor

The distributor is essential because it delivers ignition pulses in the precise time and sequence to each spark plug.

#10 Spark Plug

The spark plug is connected to the distributor, injects sparks that ignite the air-fuel mixture and start the system’s combustion.

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Working Principle

When the ignition switch is turned on, the circuit is closed, and the current begins to flow. This current generates a magnetic field around the coil’s soft iron core.

When the breaker points open, the current flows through the condenser; when it closes, the contact breaker receives the current.

As the current passes through the condenser, it charges, the primary current drops, and the magnetic field collapses. This change in the magnetic field causes a current in the primary winding to flow in the same direction as the primary current.

Also, this charges the condenser voltage to a far greater level than the battery voltage, which cuts off the battery’s current flow. These processes cause the condenser to discharge into the battery.

Now that the primary current is flowing in the opposite direction, the secondary winding experiences a high voltage due to the magnetic field.

Now, the high-tension wire delivers the high voltage to the distributor. The diagram illustrates how an ignition harness is linked between the distributor and the spark plug.

To create a spark for the burning of an air-fuel mixture, the current is now flowing through each spark plug individually.

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Advantages of Battery Ignition System

The following are the advantages of the battery ignition system:

1. This system increases power production, which contributes to improved engine performance.
2. This system helps to increase fuel economy, which increases mileage and lowers fuel usage.
3. Because the battery ignition system has no moving parts, it is more reliable and experiences less wear and tear.
4. The battery ignition system guarantees that over 90% of the air-fuel mixture burns, improving combustion efficiency.
5. When the air-fuel mixture is ignited reliably for seamless engine operation, this mechanism produces a powerful spark.

Disadvantages of Battery Ignition System

The following are the disadvantages of the battery ignition system:

1. Compared to other electrical ignition systems, battery ignition requires a larger amount of area.
2. The battery is necessary to produce sparks; without it, the engine will not start.
3. If the spark plug becomes contaminated, it will not ignite.
4. Increased Maintenance due to contact breaker point arcing and pitting.

Application

The following are a few typical uses for battery ignition systems:

1. Many different types of vehicles, such as cars, lorries, buses, and motorbikes, use battery ignition systems.
2. For reliable engine ignition, it is frequently used in passenger automobiles and light commercial vehicles.
3. It is frequently used for effective spark generation in a variety of two-wheeled vehicles, including motorcycles and scooters.
4. It is also utilized to power miniature engines in various pieces of agricultural machinery and equipment.

Conclusion

That’s it. Thanks for reading. I hope I have covered everything. It would be helpful if you could let me know if I missed anything or if you have any doubts about anything I wrote.

Please share this article with your friends if you find it interesting.

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