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Kettering points-and-coil ignition system, an SOS system offers a series of sparks affording many chances for a cylinder to light off for each transition through compression.
The only real difference between “shower of sparks” and the point and coil system on your pre-electronic ignition car is that the car system didn’t have a starting vibrator and would only make 1 spark per timing event.
Impulse couplings and vibrator type starting “booster” circuits replaced the function of the external booster magneto. The vibrator (shower-of-sparks) starting booster circuit, widely used on aircraft engines, is supplied with certain Continental Motors S-200, S-1200 and D-3200 series ignition systems. B.
Reciprocating engine starting systems normally include one of the following types of auxiliary starting systems: booster coil (older style), starting vibrator (sometimes called shower of sparks), impulse coupling, or electronic ignition systems.
The “Shower of Sparks” system is composed of a magneto with two sets of points installed, a vibrator switch, ignition switch and the aircraft battery. The magneto has two sets of contact points. One set is adjusted to open 25 degrees before TDC used for normal operation.
B. Shower-of-Sparks Shower-of-Sparks technology, pioneered as booster coils and booster magnetos before WWII, was introduced for light aircraft about 1960. Shower-of Sparks functions similarly to impulse couplings (adding energy to the ignition system during starting, automatically retarding timing), but does so electrically instead of ...
Typical Ignition System with Starting Vibrator. With the combination ignition and starter switch in its "START" position, the right magneto is grounded. Starter soleniod L1 is energized, closing its relay contact R1.
