Signal Lights???

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
TBill
Posts: 73
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 12:31 pm
First Name: Bill
Last Name: Obier
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Fordor, 1926 TT, 1913 Speedster (WIP)
Location: Rosedale, LA
MTFCA Number: 28973

Signal Lights???

Post by TBill » Mon May 20, 2019 7:02 am

When it comes to my Fordor restoration I am a purist. Not so much on my TT and not at all on my Speedster, but I want the Fordor to be as much like the way Henry made it as possible.

I plan on driving it on city streets and country roads so I’m looking for a quick connect, easy to install and remove turn and brake signal solution. Wireless would be preferable. I’ve seen a few advertised but don’t know much more about them.

Suggestions?

User avatar

DanTreace
Posts: 3299
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:56 am
First Name: Dan
Last Name: Treace
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '23 cutoff, '25 touring, '27 touring
Location: North Central FL
MTFCA Number: 4838
MTFCI Number: 115
Board Member Since: 2000
Contact:

Re: Signal Lights???

Post by DanTreace » Mon May 20, 2019 10:14 am

While most states allow an antique car on public roads with the factory equipment of the year of the car, some do have other requirements. Safety glass windshield would be needed, one tail lamp is OK. Some states require brake lamps and turn signals even on antiques so check your state law.

But... today's drivers don't look at hand signals, they think you are waving them around you! :o

So adding at least rear turn indicators is a good idea. Have good success with the bicycle turn signals, wireless. Clamp the control module on your steering column, fab up a bracket for the rear, have mine on the license bracket.

Now for sure, these wireless ones are adjunct to your 'hand signaling' anyway, figure arm out and flasher on the rear MAY help stop someone from passing me on left turns! :)

As for brake lamp, you are in luck with the '26, you can add the factory accessory Stop/Tail lamp. And have a nice brake light too. They can be found still today at swaps or eBay.
IMG_1891 (700x560) (2).jpg
DCP_0159 (499x508) (491x500) (491x500) (491x500) (491x500) (393x400).jpg
DCP_0159 (499x508) (491x500) (491x500) (491x500) (491x500) (393x400).jpg (112.33 KiB) Viewed 5201 times
IMG_1461.JPG
IMG_1463.JPG
IMG_1453.JPG
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


TspokeMan
Posts: 17
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2019 4:34 pm
First Name: David
Last Name: Heiser
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Model T Pickup Roadster
Location: Garden City, KS

Re: Signal Lights???

Post by TspokeMan » Mon May 20, 2019 10:24 am

I just completed a restoration on my '25 using front/rear sidelights from an '18 0r '19 T converted to signal.stop lights. There are numerous sellers for these sidelights on Ebay. I got mine from a local old time car restorer that has a graveyard of T, A and other cars. Assuming you have a 12v conversion>
2019-04-26 12.22.49.jpg


fliverfan
Posts: 70
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 2:53 pm
First Name: Bill
Last Name: Chuplis
Location: Coatesville, PA
Contact:

Re: Signal Lights???

Post by fliverfan » Mon May 20, 2019 10:32 am

http://theegyptgarage.com/images/Turn_Sgnals.pdf

What year T? A brake light was a dealer installed option and may not be a purist issue.

User avatar

PDGx
Posts: 233
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 9:12 pm
First Name: Paul
Last Name: Grohsmeyer
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: ‘17 TT Holmes Wrecker
Location: Central Florida
MTFCA Number: 27359
Board Member Since: 2007

Re: Signal Lights???

Post by PDGx » Mon May 20, 2019 10:49 am

I kind of did what Dan has with the wireless bicycle turn signal system, using the double flasher when needing additional warning if in traffic.
I have the light itself setup so I can insert it into the automobile bracket that’s available for that light, on the tail gate so I can add or remove it easily. The base of the clip is black so it blends in easily.

For the main brake light I added a lightbulb into the rear kerosene lamp wired to a stop switch at the base of the brake pedal. You can get that switch from Langes or Macs I believe.

This keeps the vehicle stock looking when you need it to be.
Attachments
86EB3528-47F9-45AD-808E-FFB384A3AC08.jpeg
55A87422-884B-4D82-90E4-33B0CC74C4E6.jpeg
If my short term memory gets any shorter, I won’t even have thought about what I’m going to forget.

17 TT Holmes Wrecker
22 Mack AC Tiltbed Wkr
30 A Rdstr PU
58 Mack B-61 Semi Tractor

User avatar

Mark Gregush
Posts: 4956
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:57 pm
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Gregush
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 cutdown PU, 1920 Dodge touring, 1948 F2 Ford flat head 6 pickup 3 speed
Location: Portland Or
MTFCA Number: 52564
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Signal Lights???

Post by Mark Gregush » Mon May 20, 2019 11:03 am

A friend of mine has the wireless setup, think it was LOGO, on his A's. Can be moved from car to car. Problem is don't think they make the kit any more, which is too bad as it was a nice setup. My OP; If you are going to install turn signals, put them where people expect to see them. The setup for bikes might be fine on a bike where the is less mass and can be seen. I saw a photo of that setup on one of Jay Leno's cars, it was lost when installed.
https://forums.aaca.org/topic/311284-wi ... y-measure/
Another option might be wireless trailer lights. With magnetic bases they could be mounted on top of the rear fenders. Only problem is, the ones I looked at were setup to work with modern wiring harness's.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup


Dropacent
Posts: 3384
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
First Name: Tim
Last Name: Morsher
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925TT, 1926 Martin-Parry bodied wagon, 1927 mercury bodied speedster
Location: Norwalk Ohio

Re: Signal Lights???

Post by Dropacent » Mon May 20, 2019 11:58 am

In my opinion, with today’s new generation of distracted driver, you need to give yourself a fighting chance of staying alive. When you are happily driving down the road at 35, a motorist following at 55 ( or 60) will be on you before either of you can react. I have at least two tailights on everything, and often use a magnetic flashing light, also.
If not pure, you can at least do it so it looks authentic. The venders sell a right hand tail lamp bracket for your year car. If you look closely , you can see I filled in the license plate lens hole. A little modification to the mounting bracket, and to me it looks like something Henry could have ( should have ) made. These are mounted on my station wagon, so I used fender irons reshaped. My rear M-P fenders were never drilled for lamp mounts. I also hide turn signals, and also use period stuff for this. It’s great fun to search out and restore turn signal sets from the era, and I use small glass lights hidden up in the chassis so less conspicuous, BUT these ford issued accessory tail lamps can be rewired easily for turn signals. Again, just my opinion, but I've scraped my share of victims off the asphalt, and it ain’t a pretty sight!
A506DEE4-60E8-4F0C-A282-533AF6F11EB3.png
3CA0FEB5-BB7C-4988-ADE9-5D8FFD344DD7.png

User avatar

Kaiser
Posts: 1028
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 5:32 am
First Name: Leo
Last Name: van Stirum
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 Huckster, '66 CJ5 daily driver
Location: Netherlands
Board Member Since: 2016

Re: Signal Lights???

Post by Kaiser » Tue May 21, 2019 6:46 am

I had the same problem, how to have good visibility and at the same time keep things sort of period correct or at least not too disturbing.
I couldn't figure out how to combine the two issues so ended up making a removable board with additional lights and reflectors, the lights have LED bulbs in them so are very bright, the whole board is mounted with two wingnuts and the connection is with a hidden trailer connector, so in case you are on a show or need to be period correct i can take the board with wiring off in about two seconds flat.
Attachments
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
When in trouble, do not fear, blame the second engineer ! 8-)
Leo van Stirum, Netherlands
'23 Huckster, '66 CJ5 daily driver


Spade
Posts: 25
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2019 8:48 am
First Name: Curtis
Last Name: Fesler
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 Fordor
Location: Ozarks of Arkansas

Re: Signal Lights???

Post by Spade » Tue May 21, 2019 7:34 am

I installed turn signals and disc brakes on my 1923 Fordor and have no regrets. I did it for safety and at my age I need all the help I can get. I used the Langs kit for the turn signals and it worked great.

User avatar

Charlie B in N.J.
Posts: 638
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 7:40 am
First Name: CHARLIE
Last Name: BRANCA
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: "27 Tudor / "23 Touring
Location: Brick N.J.
MTFCA Number: 28967
Board Member Since: 2010

Re: Signal Lights???

Post by Charlie B in N.J. » Tue May 21, 2019 9:53 am

Keep in mind 2 things; what ever you decide on put the rear lights where the chimps that talk behind you expect them to be and second; don't rely on them by expecting those same people to notice them. The worst ride I ever took in a T was the day after I installed my stop/turn/ tail lights courtesy of my fellow drivers. Sitting in a left turn lane with my signal on. The turn arrow light came on and the *** behind me shoots out on my left into the opposing traffic lane and makes the left from there. Would have blown me in half if I didn't see him. So don't, as I said, rely on them as a safety device.
Forget everything you thought you knew.

User avatar

Chris Instness
Posts: 176
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:49 pm
First Name: Christopher
Last Name: Instness
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 runabout, 1923 speedster
Location: Roseville, Ca
MTFCA Number: 52552

Re: Signal Lights???

Post by Chris Instness » Tue May 21, 2019 10:28 am

There were also period correct accessory turn signals. Occasionally these will pop up on eBay or at a swap meet.
Attachments
20190413_164555.jpg

User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 6463
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
Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Re: Signal Lights???

Post by Steve Jelf » Tue May 21, 2019 10:50 am

IMG_0668.JPG
I carry a set of trailer tail lights in my trunk and put them on if I get caught out after sundown. I think they were about $20 from HF. I converted them to six volt LED.

IMG_0746 copy.JPG
A word of caution: Magnetic lights can bounce off. VOE. I keep them on with a ¹⁄₈" welding rod hook and a rubber bungee.

I also prefer widely spaced tail lights rather than bike lights. Bike lights are generally less visible (smaller) and being together in the center of the vehicle are easily taken as a single light from a distance.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring

User avatar

PDGx
Posts: 233
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 9:12 pm
First Name: Paul
Last Name: Grohsmeyer
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: ‘17 TT Holmes Wrecker
Location: Central Florida
MTFCA Number: 27359
Board Member Since: 2007

Re: Signal Lights???

Post by PDGx » Tue May 21, 2019 11:42 am

Then again there are these turn signals that fold out when the signals are activated :
1CBD941F-8E9E-432C-91D5-676E511D64B3.jpeg
872B1CCE-F4AE-44AB-B3CA-F6F2A3D6046A.jpeg
Kind of hard to miss.
If my short term memory gets any shorter, I won’t even have thought about what I’m going to forget.

17 TT Holmes Wrecker
22 Mack AC Tiltbed Wkr
30 A Rdstr PU
58 Mack B-61 Semi Tractor

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic