Date:         Fri, 11 Jun 2004 23:12:03 -0400
Reply-To:     "Daniel L. Katz" <katzd54@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Daniel L. Katz" <katzd54@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: vanagon single electrode plugs

agreed! furthermore, note that multiple electrode designs still use only a
single central electrode. it is the center electrode that is connected to
the spark plug wire and initiates the discharge, whereas the ground
electrode(s) are much less critical. the reason the coil primary is
connected according to a definite polarity is to make sure the center
electrode is driven to a large negative potential when it is time for a
spark, taking advantage of thermionic emission at the hotter (thermally)
central electrode to take advantage of already existing charges.

ALSO, IF ANYONE READING THIS CAN HELP, ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO TROUBLE
REPLYING TO A POST, NEW MESSAGES AND REPLIES WITH CHANGED SUBJECT HAVE NOT
POSTED LATELY. ???

dan


>Well, yes.  But I'd argue that considering that multi-electrode plugs
>didn't even exist yet when the Vanagon's engine was designed, its
>ignition system must have been designed to work okay with conventional
>plugs.
>
>To some extent I regard the multiple-electrode plugs as a scam; the
>spark will ionize the path of least resistance and all the current will
>go through that path.  It will never fork to multiple electrodes the way
>the Splitfire ads show it.
>
>--
>
>David Brodbeck, N8SRE
>'82 VW Diesel Westfalia
>'86 Volvo 240DL wagon