Westerbeke ATOMIC 4 User Manual

(2) Two separate circuits, primary
and secondary, make up the ignition
system. The primary low tension cir-
cui t cons ists of the battery, low
voltage distributor points, primary
coil winding and condenser. The
secondary high tension circuit con-
sists of the secondary winding of
the coil, distributor rotor and
cap, high tension wiring, and spark
plugs.
(J) In operation, current from the
battery passes to the primary wind-
ing of the ignition coil, through
the breaker pOints of the distribu-
tor. Periodic opening and closing
of the breaker points causes the
flow of current to start and stop,
thus causing an alternate build-up
and collapse of the magnetic field
around the primary winding of the
coil. This fluctuating magnetic
field cuts the secondary winding of
the ignition coil, causing a very
high voltage to be induced in it.
Current from the secondary of the
igni t ion coil is then passed through
the distributor rotor to contacts
in the distributor cap and finally
to the spark plug.
(4) Arcing across the low voltage
points of the distributor caused
by the collapsing magnetic field
around the primary winding of the
,coil is reduced by use of a con-
denser connected across the points.
b. Magneto Ignition Systems
(1) Magnetos are a special applica-
tion of the electric generator and
are usually used where the output
of energy required is small. They
are used on some models of UNIVERSAL
engines to furnish energy for igni-
tion of the compressed gases in the
cylinder chambers. The elements of
construction comprise a permanent
magnetic field, armatures, which
rotate within that field, a circuit
breaker and a distr ibut ing mechanism
which serves to carry the generated
current to the spark plug.
-J9-
(2) The high tension type magneto
used on UNIVERSAL engines has a
secondary winding, comprIsIng a
great number of turns of fine wire,
superimposed upon the primary wind-
ing. The primary winding is short
circuited by means of an auxiliary
device, during the building uP. of
the field in the armature coil. When
the energy in the primary circuit
has reached a maximum, this circuit
is opened, and at the same instant,
due to the rotat ion of the armature,
the magnetic field is removed. The
energy of the primary winding is
discharged through the secondary,
and due to the ratio of primary to
secondary turns, a considerable in-
crease in voltage results. The re-
sulting high-tension current is then
distributed to the spark plugs.
(J) Because the spark intensity of
a magneto varies directly with the
engine speed, an increase of energy
is available at high speeds. At low
engine speeds, such as when the en-
gine is hand cranked, the magneto
would sometimes fail to produce a
voltage sufficient to spark across
the spark plug gap. In order to pre-
vent this from occurring, the mag-
netos used are equipped with an im-
pulse coupling which serves to
couple the magneto to the engine,
and at the same time, accelerate
its speed of rotation during the
starting period.
J. LUBRICATION SYSTEM
All UNIVERSAL engines are equipped
with a full pressure lubrication
system.
a. Full Pressure Lubrication System
(1) The full pressure lubrication
system effectively lubricates all
necessary moving parts of the en-
gine with the exception of those
accessories mounted on the outside
of the engine. See Table 4 for
those models which require separate
lubrication of reduction gears.

Westerbeke ATOMIC 4 Specifications

General

Brand	Westerbeke
Model	ATOMIC 4
Category	Engine
Language	English