Wiring help '15 T in conjunction w/ radiator replacement

[IanMacLeod]

Good afternoon folks. I am preparing to replace the radiator with one that I ordered from Brassworks. We have a '15, which as you know is 1st year of electric lights. I think this would be a good time to replace the wiring to the head lights as the wiring goes through that tube. What gauge/type / style of electrical wire to I get & from whom? It seems the visible wire that protrudes out from the radiator is currently cloth wrapped & goes to the headlights, while what goes through the tube does not have that thick cloth-like covering. What do I get? Will I splice it or do I go all the way back? Has Restoration Supply got what I need? Help/ advise/ experrience, please & thank you!

Chris C

[Ed Fuller]

Langs has what you need.

https://www.modeltford.com/model-t-part ... 1915-1918/

[DanTreace]

Old schematic for wiring magneto headlamps.

[Erik Johnson]

Instead of purchasing pre-cut wire from Langs, you can purchase the correct cloth covered 14 gauge headlamp and horn wire by the foot from Langs:

https://www.modeltford.com/item/5042W.aspx

In addition to Dan's post above, this old thread, to which I contributed, should be helpful to you.

https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/1 ... 1309378046

It shows the headlamp wiring on my dad's 1917 touring. The lamp wires are the same as the single wire for the magneto horn.

The wires shown are about 25 years old and from Langs. They were originally black but have faded.

Note that my father grounded the wire to the radiator stud. Originally, the wire was soldered to the radiator support.

[Steve Jelf]

You can also buy the correct 16 gauge wire by the foot or in a roll from the Brillman Company. It has modern insulation inside the original style cloth cover.

An eye terminal and a toothed washer from the local farm supply make a good ground.

[IanMacLeod]

Thank you for the solid information. I will get the wire thru Lang's (by the foot) I figure 30' will be double what I need, so I'll go with that qty. Also looks like a single wire carries the load from switch to passenger side front light, then a single wire out from that headlight thru the tube on the radiator going to the drivers side head light & finally out of drivers headlight with a single wire to ground at the radiator? Did I get it correct? Thanks for the guidance, can you tell I'm new to this? Thanks! Chris

[IanMacLeod]

And finally, when I install the radiator, I've purchased a new brass petcock for drainage. Do i have to put some pipe dope on the threads, or just screw it on? What's your best recommendation, please & thank you...Chris

[Steve Jelf]

A little plumber's putty on the threads won't hurt anything.

Did I get it correct?

Yes, you did.

If you're not familiar with magneto headlights, here's a page for you: https://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG117.html.