Magneto Charger

This is my magnet charger for Briggs & Stratton flywheels. I took the design from page 26 of the old B&S Repairman's Handbook or Chapter 2, page 24 of the new one. I have not made the magnetron pole pieces because I have not restored one of these engines yet. The charger uses a new ignition switch from a JD tractor and a NOS Ford ignition relay to activate the 12V battery charge. I just use jumper cables hooked to the terminals on the back and double check the polarity of the flywheel very carefully then zap it for the time intervals as mentioned in the book. It works great.

    I now recharge all my flywheels when I restore an engine and it makes a big difference in the spark and starting ability of each of them. I have even recharged my son's Wico horseshoe magnets from his hit and miss engines with great success.

    I used low carbon, mild, cold rolled steel throughout with 720 turns of 12 gauge plastic coated copper wire around 1" cores. The base size is what it is because I used odds and ends about the shop and due to the weight involved I wanted lots of room for good solid handles to move it around.