Hello again John V here.
I went on sort of a crusade years ago to get more magnetos on our engines. I was upset to see virtually all the engines sitting on a largish box that had a big 12 volt battery and a motorcycle coil. I wondered then, and now, how builders can make such beautiful faithfully detailed models and then when it came time for an ignition system they happily added something more appropriate for a car. Now days of course CDI ignition is even easier and much smaller. Still twenty first century technology on a twentieth century engine.
In spite of my efforts writing a how to article and haranguing people at shows, plus showing my engines at shows, I believe very few were ever built, fewer than 5?. I’ve since mellowed and just enjoy the ride.
I think many builders are intimidated by electronics. I am too as a retired geologist, but magnetos are an amazingly simple device. I guarantee that if you can build an engine you will have no problem with making a working magneto. That said when the size gets really small the difficulty goes up. On high tension mags the coil is a challenge though commercial ones are available. Low tension mags are really easy and the coil can be wound by hand using relatively large wire.
For the Red Wing I cannot stress how great Don Grimm’s magneto is. It’s relatively easy to do and works great. Get the article, you will be glad you did! The Red Wings push rod is very well supported and makes an excellent candidate for the magneto.
Im prepared to answer questions but hard questions I will refer to Don Grimm who is an EE.
John