MTFCA Forum

I would like to know where the battery was originally located on my 1909 touring I assume it may have been secured under the back-seat.

Your car did not come with a battery, and the manufacturer's position was that one was not needed. Therefor, the choice to hook up a battery was up to the owner, as was it's location and method of securing.

Back in the day all that was around was the Hot shot batteries that fit beside the gas tank, I know now a days people install the motor cycle batteries that have more power and can recharge.

All the preT cars had a battery box , in different locations. I don’t know the early Ts well, but I’d guess they had a battery box for large dry cell batteries, as Joe said. Those are still available from McMaster-Carr, but it’s cheaper to use a motorcycle battery.

In the brass era, most owners that wanted a battery with which to start the car, used a telephone battery. Most were round, about three to four inches diameter, and about four to eight inches tall. I have also seen some oval shape, about one to two inches by three to four inches, and about four inches tall. They did come in a variety of sizes. Most owners wrapped it in rags, set between the end of the gasoline tank and the side of the seat. Believe it or not, they very rarely caused a fire that way.

These are the telephone dry cells Wayne mentioned. In Model T times they were plentiful and cheap. Now they're scarce and costly. It you're adding a battery to your early Ford there are much less expensive ways to go.

http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG102.html

As others have stated, battery was an owners choice, Ford only exspressed the use of a battery ignition for work shop purposes in early literature, ie, in work shop manual and service bulletins, owners manual and owners operating instructions are for a magneto start only until early 20's.
But a battery ignition sure does make it easier in ones old age.

Thank-you very much for the information and advice, to the guys who got back to me about the battery position in my car.

Ford never called attention to it but all cars/trucks up to the introduction of the starter and later on some models had a battery terminal on the coil box.

Jeff, Do you still use that thing? Looks great. Hey Sarah.....

I just bought a battery for one of my '13s at a battery store. They have every kind of battery imaginable. The one I like is the same size as a Model T coil, and has two small push terminals on one end. For my touring I have it under the back seat. On my roadster I have it in the storage compartment under the front seat. They are the same type as an Optima which are rechargeable.

Steve ,Would i be correct to think those round dry cells were 9 volt? Thank you.Bud.

1.5 volts, blow the photo up and can be seen written on them.