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Can you ID this device?
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ukdave2002



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4284
Location: South Cheshire
PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2026 4:30 pm    Post subject: Can you ID this device? Reply with quote
I am a magnet that attracts junk; so my better half says!

I bought this "device" at a local auction for the price of a couple of pints. Is it some form of ignition component testing device? I'm not sure . It has no manufacture / model markings whatsoever.

View from the front









View from the top



Top with the plate removed



Side with cover removed



Underside



The connector on the left connects to the distributer vacuum advance, on the right is the mains in, not sure what the 3 pin socket is for?

Neither the distributor or coil are easily removed, so I don't think its specifically to test those components? the pointer about halfway up is pointing to a wheel attached to the distributor.

I have not tried to power it up yet.

Any ideas?
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Rick
Site Admin


Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22828
Location: UK
PostPosted: Thu Jan 15, 2026 9:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
It's not the same but it does remind me of a tester that I had the mag on my '24 Dodge Brothers tested on years ago. So something along those lines seems likely, in fact the coil doesn't look like a particularly good fit so I wonder if a mag stuck through there originally? Somewhere I have footage of my mag being tested.

RJ
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DM



Joined: 21 Dec 2008
Posts: 214
Location: North Cornwall
PostPosted: Fri Jan 16, 2026 9:10 am    Post subject: Coil and ht component tester Reply with quote
It is a 4 cyl ignition tester, it looks like the coil can be used to generate ht for testing rotors and distributor caps. Very useful bit of kit. I could that type of kit daily for testing rewound magnetos.
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ukdave2002



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4284
Location: South Cheshire
PostPosted: Sun Jan 18, 2026 9:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I plugged it in yesterday, and it works! video attached.

https://youtube.com/shorts/6QmJWBf1bdY

You will notice that the HT lead on the left isn't connected properly however it still fires across the air gap, until the speed is increased to high, also you can see how the quality of the spark changes when the coil polarity is reversed.

I'm beginning to think that it is a teaching aid, as the coil and distributor can only be removed by partially dismantling the unit?

The Flywheel has had some timing markings, there is an external connection to the distributor vacuum advance.

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