Paul,  I have learned from postings by Lynn Hanover a bit about crank
trigger ignition for the rotary.   For the single rotor only one
pickup  is needed to fire one coil.  The coil has two plug leads and
fires both plugs simultaneously.  A second pick up 180 degrees from
the first would fire a second coil (the normal situation for the two
rotor.  My question is about using this second coil for redundancy in
the single rotor.  How would one switch between coils?  Thanks,
Jerry (electrically challenged)

I mention that two pick up system about a month or two ago.
I think Lynn is reading this list incognito :)

It is not easy to switch the high voltage lead. That was done in
the old distributors. As I recall the Ford STOL V6 guys had some
commercial switch that could switch the high voltage lead.
Maybe it is a boat part. Perhaps checked with Belted Air Power.
-- 
Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

more goodies:

DUAL COIL SELECTOR
In many forms of circle track racing a dual or redundant ignition system is
used. If you use a dual system complete with two coils, the Automatic Coil
Selector makes it possible to change coils, without having to pull into the
pits and change the coil wire.

The Automatic Coil Selector features three posts; one for each coil and the
other to go to the distributor cap. This way, when a driver switches
ignitions, the Coil Selector automatically switches to the backup coil. To
use the Coil Selector, two ignitions, two coils and a single-pole,
double-throw switch are required.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/6017,72_Dual-Coil-Selector.html
and:
http://www.tunerschoice.com/product.aspx?dept_id=245&display_id=211&sc=WFROOG

michael silvius

The Rotary Engine NewsLetter. Powered by Linux.
ACRE NL web site. http://www.rotaryeng.net
Copyright 1998-2006 All world wide rights reserved.