MTFCA Forum

The horn is missing from my 1922 generator/starter car. I have a magneto horn but from what I have read, the cars with the generator/starter need a battery horn. I have A number of T books, but I don’t see a good explanation of what I should be looking for. A swing through the dealer websites shows that horns are a bit hard to come by. Any guidance on what I should be looking for and where I might find it would be appreciated.

Lang's 2019 paper catalog lists new battery horns for 6 volt or 12 volt applications, along with some repair parts. The listing shows battery horn and bracket assemblies for 1922-1925 cars and for 1926-27 cars. The difference appears to be in the mounting bracket. Mounting brackets are available seperately. It appears that mag and battery horns are the same externally. The battery horn operates on 6-8 volts DC, while the magneto horn will operate on 6 to 30 volts AC. I assume the magneto horn will not operate correctly on 6-8 volts DC.

In my experience, the battery horns have a much larger cover at the back than a magneto horn. All the electric horns were the same, the bracket changing when the coilbox was shifted from the firewall to the cylinder head. New battery horns were a Fun Projects product, so are likely no longer available.

Allan from down under.

Reno Speedster wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 02, 2022 11:47 pm

The horn is missing from my 1922 generator/starter car. I have a magneto horn but from what I have read, the cars with the generator/starter need a battery horn. I have A number of T books, but I don’t see a good explanation of what I should be looking for. A swing through the dealer websites shows that horns are a bit hard to come by. Any guidance on what I should be looking for and where I might find it would be appreciated.

While your car was most likely equipped with a battery horn, you don't "need" a battery horn, unless you want to be period correct. If you have a working magneto, you can still use your magneto horn, wired accordingly of course.

Not all battery horns have a motor, there is the ooga type with a motor and the reg moo sound horns just vibrate.

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 03, 2022 12:02 pm

A magneto horn can be identified by an adjusting screw in the center of the diaphragm. Battery horns don't have it. Magneto horns operate with a an AC coil and magnet vibrating the diaphragm. Battery horns use a DC motor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKzJP6XJIVY

The model T DC horn doesnt have a motor. It vibrates via an electro magnet rapidly makin & breakin a set of points.
Your video is not of an original model T horn. Model A horns are a motor driven horn.

Something on my car is incorrect? I will have to change my notes. I see this all the time. People assume that what they find in their T is correct. I'm guilty on this one.

Battery horn as found on my unrestored1924 T.

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 03, 2022 5:04 pm

Something on my car is incorrect? I will have to change my notes. I see this all the time. People assume that what they find in their T is correct. I'm guilty on this one.

Not sure what you mean here. My horn is missing and I am trying to figure out what I need.

Humblej wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 03, 2022 5:40 pm

Battery horn as found on my unrestored1924 T.
horn1.jpghorn2.jpg

This is the correct horn, mount & all for your electric 22.

Reno Speedster wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 03, 2022 6:43 pm

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 03, 2022 5:04 pm

Something on my car is incorrect? I will have to change my notes. I see this all the time. People assume that what they find in their T is correct. I'm guilty on this one.

Not sure what you mean here. My horn is missing and I am trying to figure out what I need.

Reno,

He's not responding to you. He's refering to the post just above his.

I posted this a few weeks ago...

Folks said it was a battery horn.

That's a battery horn all right George, with a bracket for a 26-7 model with the coilbox on the motor. It looks to be a nice one.

Allan from down under.

They are on ebay all the time for $75-$100.