I have been wondering for some time what that large brass cylinder is on the running boards of some of these old beauties. Can anyone please tell me?
It's a carbide generator. It produces acetylene gas to operate the headlights.
Thank you very much Ken.
Kind Regards
This is a typical brass carbide generator. Water drips on carbide crystals through a needle valve and makes acetelyne gas which burns with a white light.
Here's a thread with some pictures: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/134114.html
The generator consists of a water tank with a drip function down to calcium carbide below. It's a low pressure system.
Headlamps were optional on the 1909 Fords, up to 1912 most Fords were equipped with brass carbide generators, some got Prestolite pressurized tanks instead. 1913-14 had black steel carbide generators and from 1915 all Fords got electric headlamps.
Rear and side lights were kerosene up until 1919, in some cases until 1926.