OK I have run across some of these ignitors with the alloy screw on caps brand new and they appear to come from differ-ant manufacturers even when the brand is the same, no doubt which ever is cheaper when the contract is let.

On three different occasions three different brand new ones have show up that did not work at all or barely lit the plug and in all three cases the problem turned out to be the spring in the cap that was causing a high Resistance. Now in the case of these units which were the Nicd sub C size and had no meter. There was some sort of plating on this spring that caused the Resistance and the solution turned out to be wire brushing on a bench grider both ends of the spring where the contact is made.

Whether or not this is your problem I have no idea but simple to check. As far as using anything other than a Nicd type it is the least economical and much more expensive in the long run. Same can be said for some entry level radios with battery holders, A bad plan. However the alkaline cell should last more than five starts unless it was hooked up a long time every start with a balky engine.

John