In another thread, John asked the question -- Why didn't Ford go with a high voltage magneto? As well as "Didn't the Model K use a high voltage Magneto?

1. Yes, the Model K Ford did use a high voltage magneto as well as a separate and independent battery ignition -- i.e. either one could run the car. Ref Bruce's publications -- the 1906 K & S catalog at: http://www.mtfca.com/books/1906.htm

2. By early 1908 Ford had decided on the low tension magneto as described in the preproduction Model T Sales brochure put out early in 1908 see Bruce's Preproduction Model T article at: http://www.mtfca.com/books/1909.htm

3. But in 1907 Henry may have seriously considered using a high tension magneto. In the Oct 16, 1907 Horseless Age Magazine vol 20 No. 6 pages 589-590 a journalist shared what he thought Ford would be doing next. Note his next to the last sentence where he states: "..like all Ford 1908 models it will have high tension magneto ignition." The complete very short article reads:

“Ford 1908 Output. There is a well defined rumor that the Ford Motor Company of Detroit,
will steal a considerable march on its competitors at the coming A. C. A. [Automobile Club of America] Show, in bringing out a most complete line of automobiles. Rumor has it that the present six cylinder models, both runabout and touring car, will be discontinued; that a six cylinder runabout will be built similar to the present four cylinder car, the cylinders of the same size and with a pair of them added on a lengthened chassis; that there will be a four passenger car, without side doors, on a lengthened chassis of the present four cylinder runabout type; that there will be an enclosed town car, which is to be an exact copy, as nearly as possible, of the Renault town car. Rumor in this instance seems to be supported by the appearance of a Renault town car in the Ford New York salesrooms, which is being offered at about $2000 less than its purchase price, and from which, it is said, the designs of the new Ford town car were completed. Like its prototype, the Ford machine will have the four cylinders in one casting, and like all Ford 1908 models it will have high tension magneto ignition. Then there is also a Ford taximeter cab, which will be sold to those desirous of establishing transit lines, and also to private buyers who like the idea of a smaller town car than the other model will be.”

At the Benson Ford Archives there are original NRS factory drawings where Ford developed drawings for mounting a magneto for the NRS engine. We don’t know how many if any Model NRS cars were fitted from the factory with a magneto. Only one brand of magneto was mentioned by name -- the KW Magneto. But two other magneto mounts are listed as large and small. Perhaps one or more of those was for a high tension magneto? We do know that the following parts drawings are in the Benson Ford archives: The first number is the Factory or Drawing number followed by the part name. They are listed alphabetically by part name. 543 K.W. Magneto Bracket, 347 Magneto Bracket Bolt, 581 Magneto Bracket Bolt Nut; 1153, Magneto Bracket Large; 348 Magneto Bracket Nut; 1154, Magneto Bracket Small; 546 Magneto Support; 574A&B, Magneto Support (Top) dated 09/26/07; 577, Magneto to bracket bolt (6 required), 544 Inlet & Exhaust Pipe Clamp Used w/ KW Mg dated 09/26/07. So if the reporter had been able to see any of those type drawings they may have had an influence on his thoughts. And in Oct 1907, the rumors about what Ford was possibly going to do may have been about a magneto and the reporter “inserted” the “high tension” label -- we just don’t know. But we do know that when the Model T was introduced in Oct 1908, it came with a low tension magneto as the ignition source. So in this case, I believe the reporter guessed wrong about the future, but he may have had some evidence that Ford was considering a high tension magneto. And a reporter isn't always right with every prediction.

Hap 1915 Model T Touring cut off and made into a pickup truck and 1907 Model S Runabout

Thanks Hap, for that fascinating insight...I knew of the K having battery ignition as well. One could guess that Henry had his doubts about the reliability of the high voltage magneto. Presumably the battery igntion would be the usual vibrator induction coil system with a 6 contact timer. Switching between the two would be interesting.
I have always assumed the T ignition is simply a carry over from the N except with low voltage AC powering it as its primary power source.
Having stuck to that, it would surely have been better to use the master vibrator system rather than separate adjustments for each coil.

Hap and John
Take a look at the article in Vintage Ford magazine Volume 34 Issues 4, 5 & 6.
Ford knew of the KW magneto system and actually developed NRS parts to accomodate it.
I beleive Ford standardized on the low tension magneto for the Model T for reasons of cost. Ford must have concluded they could come up with a home grown system to satisfactorily operate ignition coils. The option of a high tension magneto was available, but it was relatively expensive. Unfortunately their final choice of three coils (Heinze, Kingston and Jacobson and Brandow) did not work well. The master vibrator concept for the Model T was also considered during the period Ford was having major coil trouble.
In late 1912 Ford finially adopted the KW Williams coils point concept for the Model T and most of the earlier coil problems were resolved.
Ron the Coilman

Could someone post a diagram of the high tension system? Or point me to an article that describes how it works?

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeff
If you can find a 1920's era Dykes manual it has a complete section with great detail of all types of (high/low tension) magnetos and ignition systems.
Ron the Coilman.

Jeff,

Check out the pages at: http://www.old-engine.com/maghma.htm The high tension magneto creates the electricity and then steps it up in voltage so you do not need any other source of electricity nor do you need coils. The same principle is used on light aircraft even today -- although the modern aircraft magnetos weigh a lot less than the old car and tractor magnetos. A low tension magneto only produced the low voltage, which had to be stepped up by a coil or coils to fire the spark plug. I hope that helps. Ron is correct about the Dyke's -- it has 20 plus pages and goes into all types of details.

Hap 1915 Model T Touring cut off and made into a pickup truck and 1907 Model S Runabout