Ron42Dodge Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Anyone have an idea of what this is? I can't find it in my Autolite books so far. Right side end has a small thread hole (don't know if I can call it a female thread anymore). My guess is an in line fuse or resistor. No clue where or how it was used. Was in a box of old cigarette lighters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Radio noise supression, most likely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46 woodie Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Because of the threaded end, I would think that it attaches to something electrical with the end with the rubber insulated fitting and the threaded end allowed something to be removed or disconnected. Of course you probably know that, sorry I can't be more specific. I would try touching it to a small 1 and 1/2 volt battery and see what I get from the threaded side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnseeker Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 I had a bunch of these new in the boxes at one time. I'm trying to remember what they were for. They are for ignition though. I almost think something to do with helping improve ignition. If i can recall the correct name I can google it and surely find one for sale on ebay or something with the directions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFitz Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 14 minutes ago, West Peterson said: Radio noise supression, most likely. My thought, too. It appears to be sealed and of a more permanent design than early auto fuses. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnseeker Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Here it is. It's a current limiter for points so you don't burn them up I believe. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Autolite-Point-gaurd-NOS-Current-Limiter-ignition-SP-1941A-1930s-1940s-/352563733944 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron42Dodge Posted January 15, 2020 Author Share Posted January 15, 2020 I have to agree. A current Limiter. The one have has a small threaded hole to receive a wire or connector and the screw at that end then pinches it in place. The one on ebay have a pinch plate at that end. One thing I noticed is by the letter A for Autolite there is a small round window with another on the opposite side so you can see through the unit. There are 2 more windows 90 degrees of of these. Hard to tell what I see inside. Thanks for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lump Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Well done, Auburnseeker! I never cease to be amazed at the collective knowledge found here on the AACA forums. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Neat item........have never seen one. Interesting that your going to limit current to the points......I don't think I would run one! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Limit current? Or lower voltage? Ballast resister comes to mind. But they get hot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYER15015 Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Box says "current limiter" = amps. Wonder if there is installation instructions on the back of the box, or a sheet inside? Mike in Colorado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lump Posted January 16, 2020 Share Posted January 16, 2020 21 hours ago, edinmass said: Neat item........have never seen one. Interesting that your going to limit current to the points......I don't think I would run one! Well said, Edinmass. I wonder if, maybe, these were intended for use with magnetos...or with aftermarket "hotter" ignition coils? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted January 16, 2020 Share Posted January 16, 2020 Cutting back the amperage will effect coil recharge speed.........especially if it’s a single point unit, and you would feel it at higher rpm’s. And as temperatures increase under hood, amperage would drop further. Basically by installing it, your cutting down your coil KV’s and making your spark weaker........something I try not to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron42Dodge Posted January 18, 2020 Author Share Posted January 18, 2020 On 1/15/2020 at 12:53 PM, FLYER15015 said: Box says "current limiter" = amps. Wonder if there is installation instructions on the back of the box, or a sheet inside? Mike in Colorado Found some Instructions 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron42Dodge Posted January 18, 2020 Author Share Posted January 18, 2020 I could be wrong but weren't some batteries 8 Volt and some 6 Volt? Maybe this provided protection if you had an 8 volt battery connected. I've been told you can jump a 6 volt from a 12 volt but you don't want to keep the jumpers on long or you will burn up your points. Sort of on the same concept. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 47 minutes ago, Ron42Dodge said: I could be wrong but weren't some batteries 8 Volt and some 6 Volt? Maybe this provided protection if you had an 8 volt battery connected. I've been told you can jump a 6 volt from a 12 volt but you don't want to keep the jumpers on long or you will burn up your points. Sort of on the same concept. Just a thought. No, it was an attempt to prevent points burning out if you left your key on...........or to prevent them pitting over time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYER15015 Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 Thanks to Ron, we have the instruction sheet, a picture of the box and the sample part. I think it would be too much to ask of him to cut it open so we could see what is inside. I'll bet it is either a coil of wire wrapped in "Bakelite" or it could be an ounce of snake oil in a vile ? Anybody got a broken one we could do surgery on and solve this mystery once and for all ? Mike in Colorado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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