Were these viable, useful coil testers?
IF so ... still applicable for '24-ish coils?
Looks to be cosmetically, in rebuild-able shape ....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1918-MODEL-T-FORD-JEFFERSON-NO-28-COIL-COMBINATION-TESTE R-/140828968237?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20ca0f852d&vxp=m tr
Dennis
These so called "buzz box" coil testers are only good to get a rough adjustment of the Model T coil.
Because they have one fixed spark gap they do not have the capability to allow you to see the time/space relationship of the coils spark output. Absent that you cannot properly adjust the points so they are following the current pulses produced by the magneto.
Adjusting the coil on a hand cranked coil tester or StroboSpark so it produces 16 individual sparks on a spark gap of 1/4 inch for each crankshaft revolution is the most important element of making the original Model T ignition system work properly.
That is critical for a smooth running model T.
Ron the Coilman
I understand the hand cranked coil tester or StroboSpark would be much better .... but do these do anything more than what you can do with just a meter and 'farmer' testing? I thought it was a kewl LOOKing device, and almost worth the money as a period novelty.
If I want anything more than an entry level 'dead or alive' test ... I'd be sending my coils to you, anyway. :-)
Dennis
It will do a good dead or alive coil test.
I agree, they do look neat hanging on the shop wall as Model T era bench art.
Ron the Coilman
I have a Allen hand crank tester for sale, Bob
For just testing my coils, and not planing on doing it as a side business, I would just send mine to a knowledgeable and reputable person such as Ron. I am curious however, as to what they look like and pricing. You never know .. I might run into one someday, and would be good to know if it is worth picking up before it's thrown away. I wouldn't know one if it bit me in the arse ... :-) ....
Hey Ron, I've been wondering this for a while. A few months back I had my MG TC at a friend's shop and he tested the spark plugs on a neat tester. The plugs went into a chamber where they were pressurized to engine compression pressures and then tested for sparking.
Has anyone ever incorporated this on a HCCT? Would it make the setting of the coils more accurate if they were operating a spark gap under pressure?
TH
I've made and sold a few buzz box testers on e-bay. Not as intricate but nice. Fact is, as stated, it'll only show you that the coil operates. After years of resisting a local friend HCCT'd some coils for me. Naturally the change was quite amazing. I've only re-built about a dozen coils and out of that only 2 got through the HCCing without further adjustment needed. I now use the AC side of an old model train transformer to check if their at least working.
Terry
The HCCT uses a 1/4 inch spark gap which is the rough equivalent of the normal spark plug gap under compression.
Ron the Coilman
I have one just like that one. The transformer inside is usually bad. Mine was totally shot and a proper replacement was not available. The two end terminals used to provide an output of 6 or 12 volts to test other device. The little toggle switch above the cord input area selected 6 or 12 volts for testing lights in those two sockets, etc. Those are now the input terminals on my unit. There is a pilot light now where the cord used to go in to the transformer. The light comes on when power is applied to the coil test terminals with the top toggle switch. If the light is on and the coil is not buzzing, then I know the coil is bad. If the coil is buzzing, I still don't know how bad the capacitor is leaking or how often there is a random misfire of the coil, which requires a Strobo-Spark or HCCT to observe.
I decided to forgo the $50, and mentally save it for when I need to get a coil sent in. :-)