"Ignitor and "Lumination Magnatronic". Solid State Electronic Ignition Systems.
As installed in Col Murray's "S" Type
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Ignitor System
Knowing from experience that Lucas contact points and condensers are a constant source of trouble and regular maintenance, apart from the fact that the distributor on most Jaguars is a pain to work on in situ, I decided that at the time of the engine rebuild in 1996 that I would investigate the electronic ignition systems available in Australia, USA and the UK.
Not wanting the bulky, costly and obtrusive Lumination system I stumbled across a system called "Ignitor" which was available in the USA and at the time was a very reasonable $90 US. It is made up of the following:-
1. Hall effect unit which replaces and fits exactly into the place of the original condenser and ignition points.
2. A plastic sleeve, containing cobalt magnets, which slides over the distributor shaft and sits immediately under the original rotor arm.
Available in positive and negative forms, installation is simple. Remove points and condenser and fit Ignitor unit into condenser slot using original retaining screw. Slide plastic sleeve over distributor shaft and fit original rotor arm. Two wires come from the Ignitor unit out from the distributor and then attach to the normal coil fittings i.e. one to the negative terminal and the other to positive terminal. Wires are colour coded and the kit comes with full fitting instructions. Time to install? at a guess around 30 minutes and that would include removing and refitting the distributor and resetting the static ignition timing to manufacturers specifications.
It is recommended that a Lucas Sports Coil be used as this system does deliver a much higher voltage spark.
Conclusion.
I have had this system on two Jaguars and on my "S" since 1996. I have no trouble starting the car and best of all there is NO maintenance required. Once fitted forget it and the timing. What a bonus!
Where do I get one?
SNG Barratt took over the USA company from whom I purchased my system and they now have the Ignitor system listed here in the UK for around £80 plus VAT.
What will it fit?
All pre electronic ignition XK engined Jaguars including Series 1 and two XJ6, negative and positive earth.
Lumination Magnatronic System
I have now installed this later system (Dec 2002) as I managed to blow the electronics on the "Ignitor" system, stupid really as all it took was for the coil lead to become detached from the coil which caused an overload sufficient enough to blow the system. However I have had 6 years of trouble and maintenance free service.
SNG Barratt recommended the Lumination Magnatronic system as a replacement as in their words it is a more modern system. The installation and appearance of the Magnatronic system is the same as for the Ignitor and it does the same job. The only modification required is to fit an inline ballast resistor into the switch wire side of the coil supply if you are using a sports coil. This resistor is to protect against current "spikes". The system requires that a resistance of around 3 ohms is present, this is measured by connecting an ohms meter between the + and - sides of the coil (switch and CB). I checked my two coils and found that the 12 volt Bosch coil had a resistance of 3.3 ohms and the Lucas reproduction "Sports coil also had a resistance of 3.3 ohms. It appears that a genuine Lucas sports coil has a resistance of only 1.5 ohms and this would then require a ballast resistor with a resistance of 1.5 ohms to ensure the coil was not damaged by the power of the Lumination Magnatronic system.
Cost for this system is cheaper at £69 and again is maintenance free.
Where do I get one?
SNG Barratt and Classic Spares.
What will it fit?
All pre electronic ignition XK engines including Series 1 and 2 XJ6, negative and positive earth. State which earth system when ordering..