Recharging magnets in car without removing transmission

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
User avatar

Topic author
Quickm007
Posts: 1198
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:58 am
First Name: Mario
Last Name: Brossard
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Touring and 1914 speedster
Location: Quebec City Canada
MTFCA Number: 30981
MTFCI Number: 30981
Board Member Since: 1999

Recharging magnets in car without removing transmission

Post by Quickm007 » Fri Dec 20, 2019 10:31 am

I would like to recharge magnets in car without removing transmission and I found This diagram on MTFCA Forum. In the lower right corner, it says to leave the current on for 30 seconds to "clear shorts". Isn't this a little long and could it possibly create shorts where none existed before? I have always heard that short bursts of current will do the trick and that leaving the current on for too long might damage or even burn up the coil.

Also did someone already experienced this method with successs ? Please feel free to share any tips or experience.
Magneto recharge.jpg
Super Mario Bross ;)

1911 Touring
1914 Speedster

User avatar

Mark Gregush
Posts: 4956
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:57 pm
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Gregush
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 cutdown PU, 1920 Dodge touring, 1948 F2 Ford flat head 6 pickup 3 speed
Location: Portland Or
MTFCA Number: 52564
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Recharging magnets in car without removing transmission

Post by Mark Gregush » Fri Dec 20, 2019 11:12 am

I have done it with both batteries and the KR Wilson re-charger. Before you attempt it, point the car east/west and check to see if the compass will indicated north/south when you crank it over with it in position shown. Pointing it E/W will show that you are reading the magnets not the earths N/S. Forget about the burning out of shorts and just stick with a few short burst at each of the 4 points.
You are looking for about 36+ volts DC, so 6 6 volt or 3 12 volt batteries will work. I just re-charge mine on using the KR Wilson unit. I had tried using a DC welder but had issues doing so and had no reading with the compass or very little after. I took it to the shop and pointed her E/W, pulled the plugs & put in neutral, got it as close to where is should be re N/S and gave it a couple of good jolts. The magnets got pulled into place by the winding's when current was applied on the first try and was able to proceed after that to re-charge in the other 3 sections. In any case, do take the plugs out and put in neutral, this will allow the engine to turn and center the magnets over the windings.
While it may not be the best way, it works. I have re-charged them and was able to hand crank start on magneto starting with a set that had very little charge left in them.
Oh other thing, do not put the batteries right next to where you are working, have them some distance away. When I do it, I cover them with a piece of plywood in case they blow up.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup


Stephen_heatherly
Posts: 364
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 6:03 pm
First Name: Stephen
Last Name: Heatherly
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 26 coupe and 23 Runabout
Location: St. Louis MO

Re: Recharging magnets in car without removing transmission

Post by Stephen_heatherly » Fri Dec 20, 2019 12:46 pm

Recharging the magnets in the car does work well, but if your magneto has not been rebuilt you would do well to replace the field coils, the aluminum spacers and brass screws. Otherwise there is no guarantee that your mag is going to be fully reliable

Stephen

User avatar

Mark Nunn
Posts: 1105
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 8:01 am
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Nunn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Runabout
Location: Bennington, NE
MTFCA Number: 50321
Board Member Since: 2017

Re: Recharging magnets in car without removing transmission

Post by Mark Nunn » Fri Dec 20, 2019 1:11 pm

I read somewhere that the 1 3/4" dimension should be to the center of the compass, not to the side of it. That eliminates differences between large and small compasses. Is that correct or would the way shown be good enough that the first jolt aligns magnets as Mark described.


jiminbartow
Posts: 2202
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:55 pm
First Name: James
Last Name: Patrick
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Coupe
Location: Bartow, FL
MTFCA Number: 50126
Board Member Since: 2001

Re: Recharging magnets in car without removing transmission

Post by jiminbartow » Fri Dec 20, 2019 1:15 pm

I did this on my ‘26 T Coupe in 2010, and documented it in the attached thread. The results could not have been better. See: www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/159978.html. Over nine years later, my magnets are still as strong as new. Jim Patrick

User avatar

Topic author
Quickm007
Posts: 1198
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:58 am
First Name: Mario
Last Name: Brossard
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Touring and 1914 speedster
Location: Quebec City Canada
MTFCA Number: 30981
MTFCI Number: 30981
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Recharging magnets in car without removing transmission

Post by Quickm007 » Fri Dec 20, 2019 1:52 pm

Hi Jim, I've read this post with great interest, I face the same challenge. I'm not sure about the procedure to use... Can you resume step by step what I have to do please? Maybe I'm a bit slow today but I don,T want to screw anything. I'm in learning process with this. I will make a video in the goal to help other folks like me.

Cheers,
Super Mario Bross ;)

1911 Touring
1914 Speedster


jiminbartow
Posts: 2202
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:55 pm
First Name: James
Last Name: Patrick
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Coupe
Location: Bartow, FL
MTFCA Number: 50126
Board Member Since: 2001

Re: Recharging magnets in car without removing transmission

Post by jiminbartow » Fri Dec 20, 2019 2:26 pm

Hi Mario. I re-read my post and the steps are all pretty much spelled out in the post. I would suggest that you read the entire thread several times until you totally understand the procedures, for there is not much I can add to it. I know that if you follow this procedure, you will have a successful outcome. Jim Patrick

User avatar

Henry K. Lee
Posts: 5339
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:09 am
First Name: Henry
Last Name: Lee
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Many
Location: South Pittsburg, TN
MTFCA Number: 479
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: Recharging magnets in car without removing transmission

Post by Henry K. Lee » Fri Dec 20, 2019 2:39 pm

Mario you will do just fine!!!!

Hank


SurfCityGene
Posts: 600
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2019 3:00 pm
First Name: Gene
Last Name: Carrothers
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 Torpedo Roadster
Location: Huntington Beach, Ca
MTFCA Number: 22905
MTFCI Number: 23068
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Recharging magnets in car without removing transmission

Post by SurfCityGene » Fri Dec 20, 2019 2:45 pm

I'm surprised no one has told you to read Tom Carnegie's post about charging your mag in the car!

Here's a link: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/506218/528397.html

Tom has a many years of knowledge and experience and is many times winner of the Montana 500. Check out his procedure or search many of the previous MTFCA threads for easy and reliable mag recharging procedures.
1912 Torpedo Roadster

User avatar

Topic author
Quickm007
Posts: 1198
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:58 am
First Name: Mario
Last Name: Brossard
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Touring and 1914 speedster
Location: Quebec City Canada
MTFCA Number: 30981
MTFCI Number: 30981
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Recharging magnets in car without removing transmission

Post by Quickm007 » Sat Dec 21, 2019 11:34 am

I will try tomorrow and let you know how it will work.
Super Mario Bross ;)

1911 Touring
1914 Speedster


Norman Kling
Posts: 4068
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:39 pm
First Name: Norman
Last Name: Kling
Location: Alpine California

Re: Recharging magnets in car without removing transmission

Post by Norman Kling » Sat Dec 21, 2019 11:47 am

I have had best results with hogs head off and charging each magnet individually. I tried to charge a weak magneto using the in car version on a '21 and made it worse. I suspect that the insulation was bad and one of the coils grounded out so actually less output rather than more. Anyway the car runs on battery but has a knock and will probably end up rebuilding the engine at which time will replace the magneto ring.
Norm


Greg Holm
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:22 pm
First Name: Gregory
Last Name: Holm
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Roadster, 1926 Tudor, 1920 Wood Cab Pickup
Location: Ohio

Re: Recharging magnets in car without removing transmission

Post by Greg Holm » Sat Dec 21, 2019 8:05 pm

I used Murray Fahnstock’s directions, and they worked like a charm. Of course, your magneto coils need to be in good shape. It sure beats pulling the engine and pulling everything off it to get to the magnets.
Greg Holm
Brookville, Ohio


John kuehn
Posts: 3907
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:00 pm
First Name: John
Last Name: Kuehn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
Location: Texas
MTFCA Number: 28924

Re: Recharging magnets in car without removing transmission

Post by John kuehn » Sat Dec 21, 2019 9:01 pm

Has anybody tried this with 2 12volt batteries? I know that Fahnstock used six 6 volt batteries but could you use 2 12 volt batteries to achieve close or the same affect? Just wondering.


Larry
Posts: 222
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:03 pm
First Name: Larry
Last Name: Gresh
Location: Berlin center Ohio
MTFCI Number: 15762

Re: Recharging magnets in car without removing transmission

Post by Larry » Sat Dec 21, 2019 10:19 pm

I use to have an electric golf cart with six 6 volt batteries in it.
They were already connected in series and it worked great for this. I just disconnected the the leads and connected my cables.


Kerry
Posts: 1297
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 2:42 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: van Ekeren
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 touring, 1916 pick-up, 1924 coupe, 1926 touring, 1927 touring
Location: Rosedale Vic Australia

Re: Recharging magnets in car without removing transmission

Post by Kerry » Sat Dec 21, 2019 11:05 pm

John.
It's not really about the volts but Amps. Ford recommended at least 80 Amps, 6x6v to get the amps up there, that's why some arc welders would do the job and by today's battery AH's 2 heavy truck 12v could have the same resault.
The only problem I've come across in rebuilds is that I've found a few coil rings cracked at the bolting at the block, if from in-car charging I'm only speculating.

User avatar

ewdysar
Posts: 223
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 6:48 pm
First Name: Eric
Last Name: Dysart
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1916 Touring, 1927 Runabout
Location: PNW

Re: Recharging magnets in car without removing transmission

Post by ewdysar » Sat Dec 21, 2019 11:57 pm

Kerry wrote:
Sat Dec 21, 2019 11:05 pm
.... The only problem I've come across in rebuilds is that I've found a few coil rings cracked at the bolting at the block, if from in-car charging I'm only speculating.
This speculation has come up before. And Tom Carnegie addressed it in more detail than I would have expected in his thread about “in-car charging” that Gene referenced earlier. But just in case anyone missed it, here’s the link again:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/506218/528397.html

Given Tom’s research, I am fairly confident that in-car charging does not significantly contribute to cracked coil rings. But everyone is entitled to their own interpretation and opinion.

Keep crankin’
Eric


SurfCityGene
Posts: 600
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2019 3:00 pm
First Name: Gene
Last Name: Carrothers
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 Torpedo Roadster
Location: Huntington Beach, Ca
MTFCA Number: 22905
MTFCI Number: 23068
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Recharging magnets in car without removing transmission

Post by SurfCityGene » Sun Dec 22, 2019 5:07 pm

Which ever source you use make sure to take Tom's advice about insulating your connection at the mag post!! Some protection from the batteries is also good advice.

Seems like there are plenty of Welders readily available as compared to a bunch of 6 or big 12 V batteries and a bunch of cables.

I doubt any coil rings or magnets are ever damaged from a charge flexing them. Tom did an extensive trial of several. His procedure and testing is sure worth rereading again!
1912 Torpedo Roadster

User avatar

AndreFordT
Posts: 487
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:25 pm
First Name: Andre
Last Name: Valkenaers
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 ; 1922 ; 1915.
Location: Scherpenheuvel
MTFCA Number: 23792
MTFCI Number: 19330

Re: Recharging magnets in car without removing transmission

Post by AndreFordT » Mon Dec 23, 2019 2:07 am

Mario,

I just found your post on the MTFCA forum. Send you a pM as you asked.

I just like to add this:
- Do not leave the connection for 30 seconds but just flash it a few times (5 or 6).
30 seconds risk to give you a result on the coils as shown in the photos. After the coil ring needed a total rebuild.
- Do not use the magneto post to do the charge. Use a screwdriver to make the connection with the coil ring connection spot. Take out the magneto post and use a screwdriver to make the connection. Insulate the screwdriver just behind the point as far that you can't touch the transmission cover and connect the + battery on the top of the screwdriver just under the handle.
- Flash with the negative connection.
- Open the transmission control cover and watch the end of the brass screws. Two should be parallel with the upper side of the cover, then the magnets should be in line with the coils.

Good luck.

On Youtube there are a few videos that show you the job.

Andre
Belgium

In 2012 I did it with one 12V and one 6V battery connected, it was all I had available at that time and it worked fine. The car is still running with this charge.
Attachments
DSCN891802.JPG
DSCN891702.JPG
DSCN891602.JPG

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic