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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
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Making a magneto weatherproof

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Steve W (NY)

12-01-2004 13:59:39




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Had an interesting experience this past weekend. I was cutting wood when it started to pour buckets from the sky. Got the BN started, and heading fast for the barn, when she started bucking. Quit right in the pasture. Pulled the coil wire, and no spark. Not fun in the rain. Grabbed the Stihl and made a run for it. LAter the sun came out, and I went down and she started right up. She runs great normally, so I am sure it is moisture. Is there any good way to moisture proof a mag? Normally, the hood would keep it dry, but did I mention it was pouring? and the wind was driving it straight into the mag.

Thanks in advance, Take Care,
Steve

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brianh

12-02-2004 06:16:50




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 Re: Making a magneto weatherproof in reply to Steve W (NY), 12-01-2004 13:59:39  
On the H-4s, it's difficult to get the coil cap gasket to seat correctly, as it's a real thin flimsy thing and often the sides will bow in, leaving a gap between the cap and the body of the mag, allowing it to "breathe" and accumulate water in the bottom. Running a bead of silicone sealer around the gasket surface of the cap before assembly, and then wiping off the excess with a finger after you tighten it down, makes a real nice looking job that seals much more reliably than the gasket. Brian

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Bob M

12-02-2004 04:31:22




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 Re: Making a magneto weatherproof in reply to Steve W (NY), 12-01-2004 13:59:39  
Steve – I’ve had best luck with some sort of rain shield like a flap cut from inner tube, or an old plastic antifreeze jug trimmed to fit. Goal is to prevent rain and splash from getting on the mag, but still permit free air flow around it.

Other stuff that helps: Keep the magneto cap and coil cover scrupulously clean inside and out. (A thin layer of dust on surfaces gives moisture something to “stick to” and causes high voltage shorts...) Make sure the wires, boots, etc are in good shape (no cracks) and are solid copper type (no RF surpression wires). Spray the wires and magneto exterior with silicone spray, RainEx, or similar when the parts are clean and dry to repel water.

Wrapping the mag tightly in plastic film is not recommended! Any condensation etc that gets inside the wrapping is trapped and can cause all manner of short circuit and corrosion problems. I don’t recommend it.

FWIW we were out doing Christmas trees at Stokoe Farms in that same rain – it indeed came down pretty good for a while! It killed the mags on a couple of the tractors (both incidentally painted JD green!) However the others - a pair each of Farmalls and Minnie Mo’s - slogged thru the downpour and never missed a beat.

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gene b

12-02-2004 02:11:35




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 Re: Making a magneto weatherproof in reply to Steve W (NY), 12-01-2004 13:59:39  
There is a gasket for the coil cover and another one where the rotor assy bolts to the mag body. Good rubber boots on the mag cap and there should be no trouble at all. Ride mine in parades tractor rides show them at least three times a year run them thru car wash and never have any trouble.



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brubaker2004

12-01-2004 16:42:40




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 Re: Making a magneto weatherproof in reply to Steve W (NY), 12-01-2004 13:59:39  
I recently purchased an M that has set outside for at least 20 years. It had a tire tube cut out and put over the mag. This tractor started reguardless of the weather. I took off the tube from the mag because I didn't like the way it looked and later it rained on this tractor. Tractor would not start after this, and I had to dry out the mag. Doesn't look real good but sure seemed to work.



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Paul in Mich

12-01-2004 18:46:42




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 Re: Making a magneto weatherproof in reply to brubaker2004, 12-01-2004 16:42:40  
In my neck of the woods, it was very common to see an old piece of inner-tube wrapped around magnetos to keep them dry. A little baling wire to keep the tube in place was also the order of the day. It wasn"t the prettiest sight in the universe, but functioned just fine. I"ve been to more than one tractor show that someone thought the old "inner-tube option" worthy of display. I would suppose it would be no more or no less compromising to the originality of a tractor than a rain cap on a muffler, or a SMV triangle sign.

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John M

12-01-2004 16:11:37




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 Re: Making a magneto weatherproof in reply to Steve W (NY), 12-01-2004 13:59:39  
Clear spray paint works wonders.



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MAGMAN

12-01-2004 16:09:16




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 Re: Making a magneto weatherproof in reply to Steve W (NY), 12-01-2004 13:59:39  
I would make sure you have a good seal at the coil cap gasket and I use a product made by solder seal or something like that its a spray on plastic coat water proofer.I have also used the wire dryer the other gent sugested Its made by the same company also. Ask at napa or tractor supply You will see what I am talking about. As far as the plastic bag thing Its always trapped moisture on me and condensation so I stopped using that way. JON

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Sloroll

12-01-2004 14:52:44




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 Re: Making a magneto weatherproof in reply to Steve W (NY), 12-01-2004 13:59:39  
Grandpa was an old mag man. He got really testy if I painted any part of the mag. Said paint can demagnetize it. When he got done overhauling one he painted it with shellac to waterproof it. If he needed a color like black he would find colored shellac. Don't know if you can find colored shelack any more but I would think a clear shellac or even a polyurethane would work.



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Dave NE Iowa

12-01-2004 16:00:03




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 Re: Making a magneto weatherproof in reply to Sloroll, 12-01-2004 14:52:44  
Best keep your mag wrapped with a garbage bag and some duct tape. If your mag does get wet there is a product called wire dry that works even BETTER than any before and after TV infomercials for other products would suggest. It sure works great. Dave NE Iowa



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