MTFCA Forum

1916 Model T w/magneto only. I would like to install a small 12V battery (trailer emergency brake, burglar alarm system type) to operate LED headlights and an LED combination tail/brake lite mounted inside the kerosene tail lamp. I would like to tie this battery to the Battery side of the coil box for engine starting. Is there any issues with using the 12V system to start the engine, or should I make the entire system 6V?
Thanks

The mag puts out a lot more than 12 volts when the car is running. It will be fine. Twelve volts won't bother your coils at all. They might even like it.

We used a 9 Volt lantern battery to help start our 19 T and ran it on the mag for many years.
When I decided to add LED stop lights I switched to a standard automotive 12 volt battery (put it in a box on the running board) and even had a plug so I can keep my cell phone charged.

As Jeff suggests I think the coils liked the 12 volt battery better than the 9 volt --

Hand crank T's like to start way better on 12v than 6v.

Larry, I keep my 12V battery charged up with my Mag using a diode and light bulb charger.

I keep my 12V battery charged up with my Mag...

That's what I use in my 1915. Here's a page that tells how to do it:
http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG102.html

Now the question was about 12 Volt and Steves setup is for 6 Volt and the lamp is for 6 Volt as well. Have anyone adapted this very simple setup for 12 Volt? The lamp need to be another, but have anyone found which?

Have anyone adapted this very simple setup for 12 Volt? The lamp need to be another, but have anyone found which?

Gene says he uses it for 12 volts. Maybe he can tell us if that takes a different bulb.

It isn't about the bulb (at least with respect to 6V vs 12V).

This will explain pretty much all of it: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/41 ... 1416288062