Re-light an oil burner

[Emfinger]

Hello, I have a 2-4-2 oil burner that has a spark plug in the center of the firebox. My question is what can I use to spark the plug and will it re-light the oil spray?
Thank you
Tom

[jcbrock]

You basically have to recreate an automotive ignition, you can search around on the internet for more examples but here is one: https://www.instructables.com/id/Simple ... -to-spark/. You can probably replace the points with a normally-closed pushbutton.

In my opinion it is safer to stop, vent things with the blower, and relight using a wick, but I guess many people do use the sparkplug to do a 'rolling relight'. It's safer than lighting off the bricks anyway.

[Emfinger]

Interesting, do you think it will re-light? Using a normally closed button I think the battery will die in a short time. I don't know where I would put a car battery. Thanks for the reply.

[jcbrock]

You're probably right, a momentary contact pushbutton would probably do the job and not drain the battery. My thought was the circuit needs to be closed to charge the coil and opened to create the spark, but it'll likely charge fast enough through the momentary contact.

[FLSTEAM]

I used a commercial spark plug igniter connected to a Ford spark generator. Worked fine a short time but in the same short time the oil fouled the plug. Simple solution is to carry a propane torch with push button start. As it turns out after firing for several years on oil I have learned how not to put the fire out. Now about the only time I do it is because I left the injector on and the atomizer pulls over water.

I forgot that I also have an oil firing style door with a hole in the middle. The torch fits right thru and bingo your alive again.

John B

[Peter Crisler]

Hello, I have a 2-4-2 oil burner that has a spark plug in the center of the firebox. My question is what can I use to spark the plug and will it re-light the oil spray?
Thank you
Tom

You might look at this site.

http://www.model-engine-plans.com/

[Dave_Johnson]

What you need is a Model T buzz coil, or modern equivalent.
http://nelsonslocomotive.com/Heisler/El ... gniter.htm
or
https://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_mode ... oints.html

[Glenn Brooks]

I wonder if you could just use a push to spark thingy out of an old BBQ?

If you need more horsepower a match and can of WD - 40 would shoot a
Nice flame into the Smokebox.

Glenn

[Dave_Johnson]

Piezo lighters will work on propane, but not oil.

[John Hasler]

You're probably right, a momentary contact pushbutton would probably do the job and not drain the battery. My thought was the circuit needs to be closed to charge the coil and opened to create the spark, but it'll likely charge fast enough through the momentary contact.

Think about how quickly it has to recharge after each spark in an engine.

[NP317]

Consider using a handheld electric arc lighter:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1

I just purchased several for use at home and to try using it for the steam atomized oil-fired boiler on my steam launch, and for my propane fired locomotives.
The 1/8" long arc runs as long as you press the ON button.
RussN

[Emfinger]

Thanks everyone I know a model "T" coil will make a hot spark, just don't have any room for a battery. I purchased a BBQ lighter...not much of a spark.
Tom