The Ford Barn

bikemaniac · 03-06-2016, 02:12 PM

Hi,

Lets assume the battery and generator dies and I want to buy four 1.5V AA, C or D batteries and put them in series and use them for the ignition. Does anyone know how many amps or power the ignition system draws?

Furthermore I: Does Walmart carry 6V car batteries?
Furthermore II: Can the ignition be operated with a 12V battery or will it fry the coil?

Lucas

V8COOPMAN · 03-06-2016, 04:13 PM

We have successfully used a 6v lantern battery similar to the one shown to power the IGNITION circuit to run a flathead. These lantern batteries are of about an 11,000 ma/h capacity. DD

Not sure if Wal-Mart carries 6v batteries any more at every store, but they can be found at Tractor Supply Stores nationwide. DD

Sunnybrook Farm · 03-06-2016, 05:00 PM

I think the first model Ts used dry cell, just be prepared for it to die.

Patrick L. · 03-06-2016, 08:13 PM

Points do like 12 volts at all.

Tom Wesenberg · 03-06-2016, 10:45 PM

Points closed and engine not running, the coil will draw 4 amps, which would quickly kill small flashlight batteries. With the engine running the coil draws 1 1/2 down to 1 amps. More RPM's means less drain.

I can't imaging why the generator and battery would go bad at the same time. With proper maintenance neither will go bad while you're on a trip.

Carry a solar panel to keep the battery charged, just in case you are in the middle of nowhere and the generator goes out.

hale1776 · 03-06-2016, 11:13 PM

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That little meter on the dash will tell you when your generator stops working. Your now on the clock you are now discharging your battery and a jump start will not help. If you're that worried about it and want to buy something just in case. buy another generator keep it next to your spare fan belt. You will have an hour of driving maybe little more to find a spot to do the swap. Save enough in battery to restart. PS I have never heard of this happening. Bad connections sure.

Tom Wesenberg · 03-07-2016, 12:03 AM

If you have a roster and let people know the route, you'll have lots of help in case of trouble, and you may also have some Model A drivers following you for short bits of the trip.

Did you ever get the car thing worked out? Are you going to buy and sell the car here in the states?

redmodelt · 03-07-2016, 11:27 AM

The Model T used the built in AC generator on the flywheel every year of production. Pre T's used dry cells and coils or a normal type magneto.

H. L. Chauvin · 03-07-2016, 12:45 PM

As far as dead battery's for "non-every-day" Model A use, some have reported a battery's life in a Model A is about 3 - 5 years ....... others may have had entirely different varying experiences.

FWIW: Battery Type: I have a six (6) volt "Energizer" battery from Tractor Supply in my Model A which is seven (7) years old and still going strong.

After buying it, I tried keeping it up with a very small compact:

"Schumacher SP-1 2/4-Amp 6/12-Volt Automatic Battery Charger/Extender"

which has a unique "Desulfation Mode" that not all battery tenders incorporate in their specific battery tenders.

Some Wal-Marts carry these SP-1's for under $30.00, and it is under $40.00 with free shipping from Amazon Prime, just in case anyone is interested.

Used it again just yesterday ...... first time in (2) months.

It charged this 6V battery at (2) amps for 1-1/2 hours.

The green light came on indicating fully charged.

Also bought one for my son w/ marine batteries ..... works great!

SeaSlugs · 03-07-2016, 01:05 PM

Ive heard you can run a model A on a T ign coil...

but yea every farm store has 6V batteries. probably alot of small farm towns automotive stores would carry them as well (like napa)

Big hammer · 03-07-2016, 01:28 PM

What's that funny looking lug wrench for? When I first owned my A I was pushing it a lot, my dad said not to hand start it, if it didn't break my arm he would ! Later in life I did hand start it, not enough battery to turn it over but enough to run! It came with a delco gen, now has a long style ford gen with Tom W's EVR !!!! No worries :-)

03-06-2016, 02:12 PM	#1
bikemaniac Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Copenhagen Posts: 177	Power draw for ignition? Hi, Lets assume the battery and generator dies and I want to buy four 1.5V AA, C or D batteries and put them in series and use them for the ignition. Does anyone know how many amps or power the ignition system draws? Furthermore I: Does Walmart carry 6V car batteries? Furthermore II: Can the ignition be operated with a 12V battery or will it fry the coil? Lucas

03-06-2016, 04:13 PM	#2
V8COOPMAN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON Posts: 11,106	Re: Power draw for ignition? We have successfully used a 6v lantern battery similar to the one shown to power the IGNITION circuit to run a flathead. These lantern batteries are of about an 11,000 ma/h capacity. DD Not sure if Wal-Mart carries 6v batteries any more at every store, but they can be found at Tractor Supply Stores nationwide. DD __________________ *Click Links Below* __ ▼ *'35-'36 W/8BA & MECHANICAL FAN* *T5 W/TORQUE TUBE*

03-06-2016, 05:00 PM	#3
Sunnybrook Farm Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 409	Re: Power draw for ignition? I think the first model Ts used dry cell, just be prepared for it to die.

03-06-2016, 08:13 PM	#4
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Power draw for ignition? Points do like 12 volts at all.

03-06-2016, 10:45 PM	#5
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Power draw for ignition? Points closed and engine not running, the coil will draw 4 amps, which would quickly kill small flashlight batteries. With the engine running the coil draws 1 1/2 down to 1 amps. More RPM's means less drain. I can't imaging why the generator and battery would go bad at the same time. With proper maintenance neither will go bad while you're on a trip. Carry a solar panel to keep the battery charged, just in case you are in the middle of nowhere and the generator goes out.

03-06-2016, 11:13 PM	#6
hale1776 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Connecticut Posts: 130	Re: Power draw for ignition? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) That little meter on the dash will tell you when your generator stops working. Your now on the clock you are now discharging your battery and a jump start will not help. If you're that worried about it and want to buy something just in case. buy another generator keep it next to your spare fan belt. You will have an hour of driving maybe little more to find a spot to do the swap. Save enough in battery to restart. PS I have never heard of this happening. Bad connections sure.

03-07-2016, 12:03 AM	#7
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Power draw for ignition? If you have a roster and let people know the route, you'll have lots of help in case of trouble, and you may also have some Model A drivers following you for short bits of the trip. Did you ever get the car thing worked out? Are you going to buy and sell the car here in the states?

03-07-2016, 11:27 AM	#8
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,340	Re: Power draw for ignition? The Model T used the built in AC generator on the flywheel every year of production. Pre T's used dry cells and coils or a normal type magneto.

03-07-2016, 12:45 PM	#9
H. L. Chauvin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,179	Re: Power draw for ignition? As far as dead battery's for "non-every-day" Model A use, some have reported a battery's life in a Model A is about 3 - 5 years ....... others may have had entirely different varying experiences. FWIW: Battery Type: I have a six (6) volt "Energizer" battery from Tractor Supply in my Model A which is seven (7) years old and still going strong. After buying it, I tried keeping it up with a very small compact: "Schumacher SP-1 2/4-Amp 6/12-Volt Automatic Battery Charger/Extender" which has a unique "Desulfation Mode" that not all battery tenders incorporate in their specific battery tenders. Some Wal-Marts carry these SP-1's for under $30.00, and it is under $40.00 with free shipping from Amazon Prime, just in case anyone is interested. Used it again just yesterday ...... first time in (2) months. It charged this 6V battery at (2) amps for 1-1/2 hours. The green light came on indicating fully charged. Also bought one for my son w/ marine batteries ..... works great! Last edited by H. L. Chauvin; 03-07-2016 at 12:47 PM. Reason: typo

03-07-2016, 01:05 PM	#10
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Power draw for ignition? Ive heard you can run a model A on a T ign coil... but yea every farm store has 6V batteries. probably alot of small farm towns automotive stores would carry them as well (like napa) __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

03-07-2016, 01:28 PM	#11
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,127	Re: Power draw for ignition? What's that funny looking lug wrench for? When I first owned my A I was pushing it a lot, my dad said not to hand start it, if it didn't break my arm he would ! Later in life I did hand start it, not enough battery to turn it over but enough to run! It came with a delco gen, now has a long style ford gen with Tom W's EVR !!!! No worries :-)