MTFCA Forum

Hi Folks,
I've survived 76 years without the need of mechanical devices to enhance the quality or longevity of my life but things have changed and I now need a pacemaker to help my "ticker" pump at an adequate rate. I have found that while driving my '23, some electronic devices (remote garage door opener for one ) have at times malfunctioned. I attribute this to the proximity of the coils or the magnetic field created by the spinning magneto just inches from my feet. This prompts the question to those of you have been modified with pacemaker hardware. Although I've never heard of such difficulties, have you personally experienced any malfunctions or other "hiccups" to the performance of your pacemaker while driving/riding in a Model T?

I have posed the question to my Dr. who has not yet responded. The procedure is scheduled for 4 days from now so I still have time to back out.

As always I value, appreciate and thank you your input.

John

Been discussed many times on here, but I don’t know the answer.
Here is a link to one such discussion.
viewtopic.php?t=3310

You can find more I am sure. Good luck with whatever you decide. Dan

My good friend worked on and drove his T regularly for more than the 25 years I have known him. He has had a pacemaker longer than he had his T. I wouldn’t worry about it, he never did!

I believe that the high tension side of the ignition system would be a more likely source of interference than the magneto would be. For one thing, the magneto is completely enclosed in a steel and cast iron enclosure, and the current produced by the magneto is very similar to that in household wiring. The ignition system does radiate RF energy, as do cell phones and many household appliances, LED lighting, vacuum cleaners, electric drills, radio and TV stations, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, automobiles, microwave ovens, florescent lighting, etc, not to mention thunderstorms.

I don't know how the magneto affects the pacemaker, but I have had the T running in my garage and it does make stattic on an AM radio for about 300" away.
norm

I do not have a pacemaker, but I think the days of even microwave interference is long gone.

I am unsure if changes were made to the microwave or the pacemaker. But I would assume the pacemaker is the one that has improved.


I am very new to T’s and have already been using a gps speedo/odometer unit. Phone based gps, music streaming and have had zero interference. Even my garage door opener is an older sears type with no issues.

I do believe even phone interference with airline instrumentation has long been a non-issue but is now a tradition more than a necessity.

I would think the excitement felt when a model T is running has little to do with the magneto/pacemaker interaction.

Thank you one and all,

My Dr. (Im sure for liability reasons) directed me to contact Medtronics, the manufacturer of the pacemaker. Their tech person informed me they have had this question posed before and that there is no risk of interferrence. So wish me luck!!

John

Had one for years and drive Model Ts and use chain saws with out any problems.

The later cars with the coils in a box under the hood, a steel firewall, and much shorter high tension leads would radiate less RF energy than the earlier models.

I have had a Model T and a Pacemaker for several years and no problems. I was told by the pacemaker tech that it probably would never be an issue, I don't use a chainsaw anymore but I think the reason they recommend against that is that if you take a weak spell and fall, you may end up on top of the chain say. I use a gas powered weed trimmer frequently and never experienced any problems with that. I was also told bu the pacemaker people that any interference that might disrupt the pacemaker would not harm the unit and that as soon as the source of interference was removed, that the pacemaker would return to it's normal activity. I am not an expert and my opinions are just that, opinions. When in doubt, consult an expert.

I have a friend with a pacemaker - he has no trouble driving his T but was warned against using an arc welder.

A couple of months ago they installed a Pacemaker/Defibulator in the left side of my chest. The manufacturer is Abbott. It is the latest device which runs a daily check out and sends the report to e doctor and manufacturer daily automatically thru the cell phone without any involvement from me. I met the engineers at Abbott and the Cardiologist to discuss model T magnetos, coil boxes, microwave ovens and several other devices and they assured me all of those devices have no bearing on the operation of the pacemaker/Defibulator. The only questionable device was high out put welders/ Tig/ Mig and such might have some issue.
But i’m not to concerned about that. But that is straightrepr from the horses mouths. But that is Abbott’s devices. Check with your manufacturer’s representative for an absolute answer for your device.

I researched this years ago with Medtronics. In essence, you MIGHT affect your pacemaker if you lay down with the pacemaker in contact with the hogshead post. Don’t worry about it.

If y’all turn up your pacemakers, will your T’s go faster?

Never bothered me.

It looks like it's best to avoid using or being near arc welding equipment. I'd avoid or use extra caution when using jumper cables, bench-testing a starter or generator, or when attempting to recharge magnets. Using a plasma cutter might be a problem, also.

In response to the question of pacemaker / magneto interference, I too was wundering the same thought many of you have.
I was hardwired with a Boston Scientific pacemaker back in 2017 after my heart attack. I was a farmer full time & worked at a fab shop as a welder. I quite welding at that point, however I do very little welding nowadays.
I’ve only been driving Model Ts since 2023, but have had no drawbacks to enjoying my T hobby as of yet. I can tell you that I cannot operate a gas powered chain saw , or put my cell phone in left breast pocket, or hold my phone to my left ear as that is too close to the device.
One of my Ts is a ‘24, so coils are under the dash & the other a ‘26, so on the engine. Unless your Dr. tells you otherwise, enjoy driving your Model Ts.
Just don’t be very close to a generator, alternator, or magneto. Two feet away or more, you should be fine, or in the case of huge power generating equipment, stay well away.

Hey Folks!! I got my Pacemaker Tuesday and all is well. Thank you again for your interest and comments.