Arctic Cat Panther 1974 Manual page 90

THEORY OF OPERATION
General
The Wankel Panther snowmobile electrical system
consists of two, somewhat separate, systems; the
ignition system and the magneto alternator system.
Electrical current for both systems is produced by
the flywheel magneto generator assembly (12 volt,
123 watts).
The flywheel magneto generator assembly, Fig.
I V -11, consists of the components I isted below.
1.
Flywheel w/Magnets
2. Base Plate
3. 100 Watt Lighting Coil
4. 23 Watt Lighting Coil
5. Exciting Coil
6. Breaker Points
7. Condenser
8. Felt Lubricator
9. External Coil
I
Mounted
10. Spark Plug
Externally
on Engine
Fig.IV-11
Conrt ••
n~'>r
Breaker
~~-Points
Felt
current 'provides the spark that is necessary to
ignite the fuel air mixture in the combustion
chamber and also, by passing through the wIring
harness and switches, allows for operation of the
lights and electrical accessories.
I n summary, a flywheel magneto generator
assembly that produces maximum output will
allow the engine to run smoothly, and all other
electrical systems will operate properly.
Conversely, without maximum output from the
flywheel magneto generator assembly, the engine
and other electrical systems will not operate
properly.
Ignition System
The function of the ignition system is to ignite the
fuel/air mixture contained within the combustion
chamber at a moment of compression (firing
moment) that produces the strongest power phase
(see Section II, Engine Servicing, Operating Phases,
page 11-2).
Igniting of the fuel/air mixture in the combustion
chamber is produced by a generated electrical arc
across the center and side electrode (air gap) of the
spark plug. If the arc is not of sufficient voltage,
ignition will be poor and result in less than
optimum performance. To produce and control the
necessary voltage required for ignition, a number
of electrical components are used in conjunction
with each other.
1. FLYWHEEL-MOUNTED PERMANENT
MAGNETS - Provide a moving magnetic field
when the flywheel is rotating around the
coils.
2. EXCITI NG COl L - Mounted on the base
plate, just below the 23 watt lighting coil.
One lead of the exciting coil is grounded to
the engine, through the coil attaching screws,
and the other lead is connected to the
condenser with a parallel connection with the
lighting Coil
breaker points and external ignition coil
primary.
The remaining components that comprise the
ignition system are: the ignition switch, emergency
shut-off switch and throttle safety switch.
The magneto alternator system produces 123 watts
and is regulated at 12 volts. The generated electric
IV-6
As stated in the previous paragraph, high voltage
current is required to jump the spark plug air gap,
which will result in ignition of the fuel/air mixture
in the combustion chamber. To accomplish this,
current is induced in the exciting coil, Fig. IV-12,
by the rotation of the four magnets. When the