MTFCA Forum

Another question for the team, when recharging the magnets on a magneto in the car, do you have to touch each magnet individually or just at the mag post? i’m working on a 1925. I have the hogs head off to inspect the coil rings. Everything looks good but the mags are weak. I was planning on doing the flash charge with a DC welder.
Thank you

Search this forum for the proper procedure for re-charging magnets in an assembled engine. It’s done through the block-mounted coil ring, the transmission cover needs to be on so a compass can be used to properly orient the flywheel. Many say the engine should be aligned with magnetic north, there will be advice on how to use a welder as a power source.

Good luck, and be careful ! (enjoy your T ! )

Here’s a good forum post about charging the Magneto in the car. http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/506218/528397.html

Thanks , hopefully it will be done today!!

The compass method assures that (A) a coil is centered over the magnet ends & (B) correct polarity.
Physically looking @ the position of the magnet keeper screws thru the inspection cover will, even more accurately cover (A).
Polarity is not important with a saturation re-charge. However if you dont believe the exhaustive testing Tom C. did in this regard, use you compass to confirm polarity after sighting the magnet keeper screws. Have the car pointing in an East/West direction.
Definitely read Tom C's posts. His method is proven, works great.

I set the chassis east and west , used a compass to determine north and south . Ended up using the 3 battery set up to flash with the positive on the solder button and striking ground to the engine block , it worked somewhat , but the magnets aren’t as strong as I feel they should be , but they’re stronger than they were if that makes sense .

Did you line up the magnet screws as I suggested? 3 batteries isnt enough for a saturation charge. A high output dc power source from a welder works best In my experience.

I’m going to try the welder tomorrow, I’ll post my results . Thanks !!

When you're done with the magnets, don't ignore the bands and band material which all look to need attention, as well as possible two-piece valves.

Be careful about stacking loose things around that abyss - it's no fun fishing parts out and even less fun starting the car up and finding out you should have spent more time fishing.

Very good advice !! I will definitely clean up the area before moving forward , I pulled this unit out of a barn quite a few years ago and am looking forward to getting it back together . They are the two piece valves , the whole thing needs cleaned up and out .