MTFCA Forum

Hello T people

I want to rebuild a 1926 engine and yesterday I was wondering how to recharge the flywheel magnets. Searching the internet for information, I found this article on rare earth magnet technology.

https://www.gasenginemagazine.com/equip ... z22amzram/



Could this work with Model T magnets or has anyone done this before?

I am new to this hobby and am new to magnetism.

greetings from Switzerland

Search this forum in years past. You should find some info on this subject. Good luck. Dan

Thanks Dan for your report.

I've read a lot about charging the magnets in the forum. I've never seen this variant here. I thought maybe some would be interested.

No idea how a strong charge could be achieved with this compared to the conventional methods.

So I'm interested in opinions or maybe someone has already tried this.

Greetings from Switzerland

Beat

this sounds like a great Science Project. I think it will be quicker and cheaper and more productive to simply test it out than wait for proof or approval from folks who didn't bother to try but will offer opinions one way or another. Certainly is something I'd never considered.

This is certainly a new way to look at an old problem. I've done work with magnetics and Hall-Effect switches but that was in the dark ages of the 1980's. With the hellacious magnets available these days, I would not be a bit surprised if this actually worked. It is interesting that folks have already concluded the amount of time needed for complete saturation of the magnet and wonder if same or similar time(s) would be appropriate for the material that a T magnet is made from

please report back!

I don't see why it wouldn't work if done correctly. Tapping on the magnet being charged with a plastic or hard wood hammer might enhance the charging effect.

Wow Dan, interesting setup was done there. That way the magnets won't fly through the hogshead.

But of course I want to stay original and only thought about charging the Ford magnets with a rare earth magnet.

I see there are very strong rare earth magnets to buy from us (470kg = 1036ibs!!!!!). https://www.ebay.de/itm/134217592109?ha ... SwJGpjEUT0
You would hardly be able to get rid of the V magnets.....

In comparison, how much weight would a conventional magnetic charger attract?

The rare earth magnets are very strong and from an electrical standpoint can easily replace the V-shaped chunck of Swedish iron to do a better job, but…..most of these lose their magnetism above 80 degrees Celcius. Special ones can stand 150 degrees Celcius. So at least look for these and keep your oil cool (don’t ride the pedals!).
Another issue is this material is not an alloy, but sintered. They are moving fast, undergo serious vibrations, get hit by hot oil every revolution and if these are not properly mounted, will fly apart. Then you have a very strong grinding machine that will be destroyed if the particles will be inbedded in your bearings and clog the oil passages. Mounting them in a aluminium ring, mounted to the flywheel is a safe solution.

Vonau,

Great information but... .
For me the easiest way to recharge the magnets of a model T is with a good magneto coilring and three 12V car batteries.

As you are rebuilding your engine, you should have a good or rebuild magneto coilring and replaced the brass screws that hold the magnets on the flywheel.
Find the north and south poles on the magnets and the coilring.
Set the north of the coilring on the south of the magnets on the flywheel and flash the coilring with the 3x12V (36V) from the batteries three to five times. Job done.
A good test after, is to try to separate the coilring and the flywheel by hand. By a good recharge you should be able to lift up the flywheel with the coilring.

Good luck
Andre
Belgium

There are countless ways to recharge Model T magnets, this is my method. I made my own home made set of coils and steel bars and used 3 12 volt batteries. The more coils the better. My first design did not work and this is my second second attempt.