Klaxon horn debut

[Jeff5015]

When was the first electric Klaxon horn introduced. What year would it have been an accessory?

[Bud Delong]

I have a all brass Electric Klaxton with a patent date of 09 on it??? Bud.

[John Codman]

Patent date only indicates when the patent was issued, not when the invention was first installed on a particular product (such as a Ford car).

[DanTreace]

1909 for the electric Klaxon, these became very popular as much louder than the bulb horn. Some mfg. did fit these to their autos.

Then later the mechanical version arrived, around 1911, and were lower cost and didn't need electrical power, and were plenty loud over a bulb horn.

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After that, many copies of the "Klaxon" AH OO GAH sound of motor driven or mechanical motor ratchet horns came along. Ford never put a hand or foot operated 'Klaxon' type on the T, only bulb type HONK sound or magneto vibrating type in 1915, and electric vibrating type BLAT sound in 1919 or so.

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[Steve Jelf]

There were other aftermarket electric and mechanical horns also. Both are louder than bulb horns. Accessory mechanical horns were widely used on mid-teens Fords because they're louder than a magneto horn too.

[Jeff5015]

Thanks, guys.

So, I can add one to my 1916 as an aftermarket accessory and still be period correct.

I just have to make sure it does not get magneto voltage, right?

[DanTreace]

Jeff

If that "one" is a electric driven motor horn, that makes the AH OOO GAH sound, and is old original from the 'period', then yes, use DC current, the old ones are 6v DC.

If you are adding a Klaxon sound AH OOO GAH mechanical, then yes, period accessory. Those are much easier to find, normally $100-$150 in usable shape, some had brass bell housings and look cool, but those in good working shape, no lumps or dents in the bell command the more.

Typical mount is on the driver's arm rest, so you can hit the button on top easy.

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Your '16 will have the Ford BLAT sound magneto electric horn, similar to this later T, which is magneto powered, these horns work only on AC current.

[Steve Jelf]

How do you know if a horn is for mag or battery? Look down the bell. If it has an adjusting screw in the center of the diaphragm it's a magneto horn.

I've tried a mag horn and a Stewart mechanical horn on my 1915. The mechanical horn is better.