Klaxon horn debut
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Topic author - Posts: 178
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- First Name: Jeff
- Last Name: Schroeder
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Klaxon horn debut
When was the first electric Klaxon horn introduced. What year would it have been an accessory?
1916 Touring
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Re: Klaxon horn debut
I have a all brass Electric Klaxton with a patent date of 09 on it??? Bud. 

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Re: Klaxon horn debut
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).
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Re: Klaxon horn debut
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.
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.
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.
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.
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
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Re: Klaxon horn debut
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.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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Topic author - Posts: 178
- Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2019 3:20 pm
- First Name: Jeff
- Last Name: Schroeder
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- Board Member Since: 2019
Re: Klaxon horn debut
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?
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?
1916 Touring
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Re: Klaxon horn debut
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.
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.
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.
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.
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
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- Posts: 7237
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Jelf
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
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Re: Klaxon horn debut
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.
I've tried a mag horn and a Stewart mechanical horn on my 1915. The mechanical horn is better.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring