Hudson Super Six 1916, Reference Book

Page: 54 / 77

Motor Circuit
When the starting gears are meshed as explained under "Generator Circuit," further depression of the starting
pedal causes the generator switch to break contact, thus opening the generator circuit. When the starting pedal is
FULLY depressed the motor brushes make contact with the motor commutator, thus closing the motor circuit, and
the cranking operation commences. The current now flows through the heavy cable and around the windings of
the armature and motor field. During the cranking operation, current will flow through the combination switch at
contacts X-1, Fig. 1, and through the shunt Field winding. Thus the motor operates as a compound wound starting
motor.
Ignition Circuit
When the ignition button is pulled out, contacts X, Fig. 1 are closed. This allows current from the storage
battery to flow through these contacts, then through terminal 4 to the ignition coil; then through the primary
winding of the ignition coil and the timing contacts to ground. The high tension part of the ignition system
produces the spark at each spark plug when the engine is being cranked, causing the engine to start
and run on its own power. Note when the engine is running and delivering current to the storage battery the
ignition current is taken direct from the generator instead of from the storage battery. Otherwise the circuit is the
same.
Distributor and Timer
The distributor and timer is separate from the motor generator and is carried on the front of the engine above
the timing gears. It is driven by spiral gears from the pump shaft.
The distributor consists of a cap or head of insulating material carrying one high tension contact in the center
with similar contacts spaced equidistant about the center, and a rotor, which maintains constant contact with the
center.