I was going to ride on Schuh's thread, and then decided to try one standing on its own. This pertains to sockets AND plug/thimbles AND 15-18.
I have tried for the longest time to sort out what was really ‘right’ versus this constant lore that something else was used and somehow I keep coming back on myself with circular logic.
I figured I’d save it for a day sometime in the future on a BFM quest, but that also seems to always stay sometime in the future.
Question #1 I can find NO real reference to the so-called single contact lamp and socket used on magneto service. TRUE or FALSE? Care to comment?
Question #2 is a general question as to the Ford part number system. I get the numeric number part , and know that the first alpha after the number is the revision when one exists. I also know that the second alpha character when an ‘R’ typically means ‘replacement use only’. What the heck is the “X” when used as the 2nd alpha character or as the trailing alpha character?
Typically in the era the last character being an “X” meant that engineering reserved the right to change things on the fly without full documentation in place or to make prototype test substitutions ‘on the fly’ with an undocumented change. Ford may have or may not have followed the conventional practice of the era and I’m curious if anyone knows what the ‘X’ really stands for?
Question #3
Can someone show an actual photograph of a real socket of the era side by side with a repop? So that finding the right way to get the 90 degree shift needed to make the repop right can be seen?
Here is what I ‘think’ I have figured out on the magneto headlamp system
Lamp- 6572X, 8-9V DOUBLE CONTACT 18CP. Globe style ~ 2” diameter, 'Edison' tip
Plug- 6587X, Right angle DOUBLE CONTACT
Thimble – 6588X, for 6587X
Socket- 6574X, DOUBLE CONTACT
I am also aware that the early '15 closed cars used E&J 456 lamps and not the standard Ford style as we know them. I believe the E&J 456 was 1/2" bigger diameter?
Final questions. Is the E&J 1/2" bigger than standard? If not, how much bigger? Did the E&J 456 use the same thimble/socket/plug or were they slightly different? Any photo's or info on differences?
Thanks...
I didn't think Ford used a single contact thimble and socket on the headlights - ever. The mag lights are wired in series - switch to RH light, RH light to LH light, LH light to ground. That requires two contacts for each light. Plus the Mag. bulbs have two contacts on the bottom - they do not use the metal case as the ground. When they switched to the battery lights, the metal case becomes the ground and the two contacts are used for the bright and low filaments, so again you need the double contact socket and thimble.
The single contact thimbles and sockets are used for the tail light.
I don't think an 8 - 9 volt bulb is going to last in the magneto lights. Wired in series each light sees 1/2 the voltage. That allows for a magneto voltage of 16 - 18 volts. The magneto should put out more than that - along the lines of 28 volts or so. I would think the bulbs would have to be something like a 15 - 18 volt bulb.
I'm not sure about the X in the part number. This appears on the end of a lot of the body parts and I thought that it may indicate a body part instead of a chassis part - but that's just a guess. The other thing to watch out for are the part numbers vs factory number. If you are going to request documentation on a part you need to use the factory number. With body parts, usually the part number and factory number are the same.
You may want to check out Lang's. They have some NOS right angle sockets.
http://www.modeltford.com/item/6593A.aspx
I seem to recall that there may be a difference in the 1915 and 1916 right angle sockets?? Something about the location of the pins and the angle which the socket exits the light??
Dave S.
Regarding Dave's comments on bulbs for 1915 - 18 Agreed - magneto bulbs are all two contact, neither being grounded.
I don't see any difference between my 1915 and my 1917 on the contacts, bulbs or sockets, and both cars have their original 90 degree elbow connectors. I don't see why 1916 would be any different. Ford used multiple suppliers for these parts, so there could be differences on that account. Some of the thimbles don't fit on some 90 degree connectors due to differences between manufacturers.
Which right angle connector you use depends on the location of your adjusting screw on the headlight. The sockets are all the same in the headlights but the early ones had the adjusting screw clocked vertically whereas later ones had it clocked ninety degrees.
Lang's has new ones of both styles.
http://www.modeltford.com/item/6592-15.aspx
http://www.modeltford.com/item/6592-15XB.aspx
Dave S.
Thanks for the clarifications so far guys. I'll go with consensus with those that have replied I mention the single contact lore as it just keeps coming up for the 15-18, when it makes no sense on the 'how' and when I asked the commenter or forum poster 'how' they shrug shoulders
I'm aware of the issue with original mag lamps and their voltage rating and the going 'pop' starting at around 1000 RPM or so with a half decent mag but it is always good for someone to provide that reminder to all who just want to experience the thrill of an old fashioned English Racer bike experience while driving a T. Difference is, the English Racer lamps never went 'pop' and the lamps probably didn't cost a fortune.
Actually for those that want to 'play', I've been telling them to go with 12V lamps in the magneto circuit. A- they are relatively cheap. B- You'll think they are burned out until you go over about 500RPM. C- You have a firefly on your reflector until about 850 RPM where you get up to 1/2 rated candle power and D- you still have to worry about the top end if you are crazy enough to try because at oh about 1600 RPM the lamp won't 'pop' but it will break the filament before you get too far
When did ford start using the transformer on the firewall and later behind the switch plate to step down mag voltage on non starter cars?
It is my understanding the 90 degree angle plugs were used from 15-17. If they were used into 1918 was it only early in that year? They are double contact for sure.