MTFCA Forum

Customer Has a 24 touring. Took the motor to a guy for rebuilding. Block was N/G. He found a fellow member with a pile of blocks. Selected a good one & had it rebuilt. When it arrives for the complete build, I notice it has no place for a generator. 1915 motor. He wants electric start.
Finished engine magneto puts out 30- 35 volts a/c. Needs a way to keep the 8V battery charged for the starter & occasional evening driving.
Since fun projects isnt available, I built one similar to the one on my 14.
.
Found an appropriately rated diode in the diode jar(pack rat) and a universal tail light socket. Color coded wires. (didnt have an old wire harness for cotton covered wires) All joints ere crimped & soldered.

This unit attaches to a longer upper steering column bolt.
First try used a 6V dual filament bulb. Put out 4 amps @ speed & blew.(would have worked on a 20-25V output mag)
Second try used a 12v 1157 bulb. Charges 1 amp above idle & 3 amps @ speed. Power goes thru the ammeter, so you can see it charging.

That should be enough to support the starter on day runs.
No effect on the ignition performance on mag.

My set up. Mag to light bulb in back kerosene lamp then through diode to battery

John: Where did you connect the red and yellow wires??

Jack Putnam, in Ohio wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 29, 2021 12:47 pm

John: Where did you connect the red and yellow wires??

To terminal block. Red to magneto terminal. Yellow to yellow/black wire, where wire from generator output goes.