I have this quick connect two-position toggle switch I want to use as a kill switch for a Zenoah G-38 on magneto. As shown, the toggle is in the "on" position. Does this switch simply plug in-line into a connection between the magneto and ground? If so, does "on" as shown mean that the connection is on (grounding the magneto), or that the connection is off and the engine can therefore run? The swith is a Gaynor, but I have no instructions on installing it and can get no info from the company or the hardware store that carries the switch.

check it with a continuity / ohm meter. You want it set up with an open circuit when the engine is to run. YOu want the internal connection of the switch closed (conducting current) when you want the engine not running (kill position). No test meter connect any thing to it and see which position conducts current.

There are no in line connections on a G38 coil..There is a small black wire on the front of the coil..Solder a wire to it and the other end to one side of the switch..the other side of the switch goes to ground..When you close the switch the engine will stop...

There is only one terminal on your switch you have shown, so like Ralph said black wire to the terminal on the bottom of the switch and then a ground wire to the top of the switch body.

Thanks for the advice. For clarity, is "on" for this switch (toggle toward the quick connect pole) closing the loop (ie grounding the coil), or is the switch closed when it's in the off position. Unbelievable I called Gaynor (the manufacturer) to ask them how to install this switch, but they claim they can't actually tell anyone how to use the products they sell, since if I were to follow their advice and have a problem, they would be open to liability. Lawyers have hastened the death of common sense.

Turn the "kill" on, kills the engine, turn the "kill" off, engine will run. Another way of putting it, turn the switch on grounds the magneto thus killing the spark, stopping the engine, turn the switch off makes the magneto alive allowing the spark to fire, the engine will run, or at least makes it possible, no guarantee though.

If you notice that little plate that says OFF and ON can be removed and turned around.......
When the switch is ON it is making contact between terminals(conducting) thereby grounding the ignition and killing the engine. So, if you turn that little plate around to where it says OFF when the engine is killed,,,,,,,, you will have a neat way to tell whether you are in the OFF or RUN mode.

Actually, this plate is keyed to fit in a groove on the switch, so it only fits one way. "On" when the toggle is toward the quickl connect pole, "off" is opposite.

juvatwad
It might be simpler to just exchange at the local hardware store for a switch with 2 wire lug terminals and just crimp on some connectors. One lead from front of coil and take the other back to the a good contact with the engine, I used a ring terminal and put it on a bolt securing the engine mount to bulkhead/test stand. (only one wire to get blown around by the air)
I would find having to reroute the wire any time the switch was removed a pain. file off the key in the plate and rotate to your hearts content.

This was exactly the problem I had with my first experience with gas magneto generated spark engine. I thought on was on and off was off. This is how I got the kill switch backward. Fortunately I didn't cut my hand or fingers off in the process. This is so easy to do wrong.

I now think of it much like the metal tab next to the spark plug on some of the older lawn mowers. Touch the metal tab to the spark plug ( On ) closes the circuit, grounding out the spark and killing the engine. This in reality is actually off, engine is not running. Arrgh ! Man, this is so dangerous when you think about it and not surprised that more people don't get this wrong. Move the metal tab back, away from the spark plug, ( OFF ) opens the circuit, removing the grounding and allowing the engine to spark, fire and run. This in reality is on, engine is running.

Hi Juvatwad,
This might help. First, stop thinking of the switch as ON/OFF. Think of it as circuit OPEN (no path to ground, engine runs) & CLOSED (path to ground shorts the magneto, engine stops). Then you can simplify things even more once the switch is installed by labeling the cowl or fuse with "RUN" and "STOP". That way you don't have to do the mental conversion and there is no confusion.

I'll be installing the switch per the recs here in the next couple of days, so I'll see what happens. This should be simple, but I want to be absolutely sure I'm doing it right to avoid any mishaps.

Install your switch. Now remove the spark plug and ground it to the engine. You can turn the engine over to see if you have spark at the plug. Toggle the switch one way you should have spark, the other way no spark.

Hope this helps.