MTFCA Forum

Hi all,

Maybe someone out there can help me?

I am looking for photos, plans and an explication of the working and the set up of the ignition for a 1910 two cylinders Maxwell car.
The owner bought the car with a Citroën 2CV coil in the coilbox. He like to get it original again but we don't know how it can be done.

Thanks
Andre
Belgium

Last night I found at the Snyders site this page:
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/subg ... ?cat=41849

Are there usable parts to get it back close to original?
Andre
Belgium

The Maxwell ignition is a "wasted spark" system, the coil fires both plugs every engine revolution, but only one of the two cylinders is on its firing stroke at a time.

From the pictures, it looks like you have the correct Splitdorf Model G low tension magneto and its associated coil box to return the ignition system to original. The car would have had four large dry cells for starting, then the user switched over to the magneto for running.

If the coil box is bad, or you just want it refurbished to work and look like new, R.V. Anderson does great work. I see that the box has some tape on it marked "12V", so perhaps someone has already fitted it with a modern 12V coil and condenser. The original system would have been 6V.

Yes, the Snyder's page that you found does show new parts for refurbishing the coil box.

I highly recommend you obtain a copy of the recent book "Maxwell the 2 Cylinder Models", by David McCredie in Australia, it has loads of detailed information about the ignition system on these cars.

https://forums.aaca.org/topic/360276-maxwell-books/

I see there is also a dedicated Maxwell forum on the web:

https://maxwellautomobiles.proboards.com/

Merle Simonsma the Maxwell guru told me a Splitdorf Model H magneto is correct for my ‘10 AA. So I had 2 rebuilt. 1 installed and 1 for sale.

Here's are a couple of threads from the AACA forum talking about two cylinder Maxwells:

https://forums.aaca.org/topic/278129-1910-model-aa/

https://forums.aaca.org/topic/350845-qu ... -ignition/

Here is drawing for Splitorf Model K coil used on Maxwell 2 cylinder . I switched to a Harley Davidson coil. Works great and not subject to failures like the Splitdorf.

George,
I just send you an Email for the Hmagneto you are selling.

Andre
Belgium

Andre,.. haven’t received it yet. Checked In Box, Trash and Junk. Must’ve gotten stuck somewhere around the Azores. If we agree on a price, is there somewhere in the US I could mail it ?

George, I just send you a PM.

Andre
Belgium

Andre, I sent you an email a few days ago regarding some updates/corrections to that Maxwell book that I recommended to you, please reply regarding whether you are interested in receiving the updates or not, thank you.

Andre, I sent you and Bruno an email this afternoon with the exorbitant amount FedEx needs to ship that Splitdorf Model H mag to Belgium.

Thank you all,
Specialy for Frank and David from down under Australia.
They walk me through the ignition with help and advice.

I had the magneto rebuild and rebuild the coil box and wiring myself.
Ignition is sparking again, on the battery and magneto switch position, on the test stand I made for it.
Next step will be: Make the engine running again.

Here is what I had and what I made out of it.

Andre
Belgium

So glad you were able to get everything working again. Good job!

https://maxwellautomobiles.proboards.com Try this site for info. I use a Harley Davidson coil. If you want help with that approach. email me at ronffish@gmail.com. Ron F

Not sure if this applies

Here a few more photos,

In the drawing it is the G and H magneto model.

On the magneto there was the armature rewind, the magnet charged and a good clean out.
The coilbox have a new 6V Harley-Davidson double coil, a model T condensor, a new cover and totaly new wiring inside.
The outside wiring was done with old looking wire, red, white, brown, blue, and green.

Andre
Belgium