Mark C Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 Hello, Getting ready to start my '16 Maxwell for the first time in 60 years! Everything is there except for the Ignition/Transformer Coil. Wondering if any of you Maxwell experts out there have any ideas what I can use in its place. Thanks in advance for your help, Mark C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hddennis Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 Mark, the 1917 I'm restoring has an Atwater-Kent distributor and coil and I believe yours has a magneto. Although I've yet to hear mine run yet either I have tried to learn both ignition systems. If I understand it correctly the ignition/transformer coil was used with the dry cells only. I think you can still run your car on the magneto alone.THE AUTOMOBILE Page 688 April 13 1916Ignition on the Maxwell car is furnished by a Simms high tension magneto assisted by dry cells and a transformer coil to facilitate starting. The ignition system is of the dual type, having a small non-vibrating coil which is attached to the frame of the car. This coil is unaffected by either moisture or heat, and being non-vibrating there is nothing to get out of order or require any adjustment. Four dry cells are used in connection with this system, and care must be taken to connect them correctly. This is most important, and the wiring diagram should be consulted before disconnecting or connecting any of the ignition wires.The switch operating the battery circuit is in connection with the starting switch and when the starting pedal is depressed, thereby throwing the starting motor into operation, the current flows through the switch, coil, and magneto. As soon as the engine starts or the starting pedal is released, the circuit is automatically disconnected and the engine runs on the magneto. It is readily apparent that the operation is extremely simple with the additional advantage that it is impossible to unconsciously leave the swtch on and thus run down the batteries.To start, the spark should be fully retarded__not only to eliminate the possibility of back-firing but because the spark is actually hotter when the spark control lever is fully retarded, with the engine running at a very slow speed. At medium or high speed the best results are secured with the ignition partly or fully advanced.Hope this helps, Howard Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hddennis Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 Mark,sorry this reply is so disjointed but I stand corrected on my previous answer, I knew I had another piece to this puzzle but couldn't find it and then I had to figure out how to get it on here!This may explain why I see so many Maxwells with magneto's other than the correct Simms units.Hope it clears up the systems function for you.Howard Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hwellens Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 a wiring diagram Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Duke Wilkinson Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 Mark C. I have a 1916 Maxwell which has been restored ground up. I too have the same problem you seem to have in that I find it difficult to start the engine withe the electric starter as the engine simply does not turn fast enough for the Simms-Huff Magneto to produce a good spark at cranking speeds. Were you ever able to find anything on the "Intensifying Coil" itself? Seems to me that would be the key to solving our problems. I have never been able to find any literature about the coil itself or where I could get my hands on one. Would appreciate information you might have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C Posted July 26, 2012 Author Share Posted July 26, 2012 Hello Duke, I have not found anything on the "non-vibrating coil." I'm not sure if it was made by Simms, Maxwell or a third party. Just the grainy picture in the parts catalog is all I have to identify the piece. A local antique car expert has told me that another coil from the same period would likely do the job. I have collected a few of these devices off eBay, but have yet to test them on the car. Progress has been slow lately, not finding much time to work on the car. If I should have success in the future, I'll let you know what I did to achieve it. Good luck with your Maxwell. . . Mark C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Duke Wilkinson Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Hello Duke, I have not found anything on the "non-vibrating coil." I'm not sure if it was made by Simms, Maxwell or a third party. Just the grainy picture in the parts catalog is all I have to identify the piece. A local antique car expert has told me that another coil from the same period would likely do the job. I have collected a few of these devices off eBay, but have yet to test them on the car. Progress has been slow lately, not finding much time to work on the car. If I should have success in the future, I'll let you know what I did to achieve it. Good luck with your Maxwell. . . Mark CMark, I appreciate the information. Seems like Maxwells are rare enough and or old enough that information like what we are talking about is slow and hard to come by. I will appreciate anything you come across, no matter when. Thanks, Duke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RWitz Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 (edited) If your Maxwell has a distributor you can go to your local auto parts store and purchase a universal coil. If I remember correctly your car should be a 12v system. Get a 12v coil with a internal resistor. The original Atwater Kent distributor runs on 6v so the voltage needs to be reduced. If you can't find a coil with the resistor built in the coil, purchase an ignition voltage reducer. By all my literature magnito ignition was for export cars unless special ordered. You will also need a coil bracket . Also the Atwater Kent distributor housing will mount in place of the mag. Your mag mounts on a bracket bolted to the side of the motor block and the distributor mounting bolts on the same bracket. I know this dist was used until 1920 or 1921. Thanks Randy Edited August 5, 2012 by RWitz (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hddennis Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Simms-Huff magneto ignition was used on all Maxwells until late 1917 when a Simms labor strike caused Maxwell to switch to the new Atwater-Kent Type CC distributor ignition system.Howard Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
talbotracer Posted December 1, 2018 Share Posted December 1, 2018 On 12/5/2009 at 5:54 AM, Mark C said: Hello, Getting ready to start my '16 Maxwell for the first time in 60 years! Everything is there except for the Ignition/Transformer Coil. Wondering if any of you Maxwell experts out there have any ideas what I can use in its place. Thanks in advance for your help, Mark C i have a genuine 1914 car it has the ignition/transformer coil on it , i know this is going back a bit but do you want a decent picture if i can get it off? pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hddennis Posted December 4, 2018 Share Posted December 4, 2018 (edited) Here's pictures of the only one I've ever seen, sent to me by the owner of a 1915 Maxwell: Howard Dennis Edited January 25, 2019 by hddennis (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emile Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 Hi all, I'm contacting you from the UK. I've just seen your posts relating to the Maxwell coil. I am in the process of restoring a 1915 Maxwell 25 and am having trouble starting it using the magnito. I noticed from this Forum that there is some sort of coil in the ignition system. I do not understand what this coil does and what I can replace it with. I have a collection of Veteran cars and have never seen a coil such as this, as the photo doesn't show an HT lead coming from it. Is anyone able to advise please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hddennis Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 Emile, I'll try to see if I can help you with my limited knowledge based on researching ignition systems for my 1917 Maxwell. My first question would be do you have an original Simms-Huff magneto on your car? If not you probably don't need the intensifying coil as Simms-Huff magnetos are the only ones I've ever seen incapable of generating sufficient spark at low rpm's to start the motor. In the 1915 wiring diagrams the coil is there to increase the spark from the dry cell batteries until the engine starts and the magneto reaches sufficient rpm to generate enough spark to run the engine at which point the starter pedal is released and the dry cells are disconnected from the ignition circuit. Electrical systems have always been my weak point so please don't take my statements as being expert advice I'm just trying to pass on what little I've learned. I would think you could use almost any 6 volt coil to intensify the spark from your dry cells or battery you currently have in your Maxwell. Howard Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emile Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 Thanks for replying so quickly, as I want to get this car up and running now. Also I would like to thank you for the wiring diagram and instructions, as it was taking quite awhile to work out how the 6 volt and 12 volt worked together Yes I do have the original Simms-Huff magneto. I understand that you say the coil intensifies the spark, but on your photo there is no connection for a HT lead. I have a 1907 Germain that has a modern coil to help start, but you can run an HT lead to the back of the magneto to help the spark. What sort of coil do I use? is it on found on any other car. Emile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hddennis Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 (edited) Just ran across these diagrams from a 1915 owners manual if they help: Howard Dennis Edited January 25, 2019 by hddennis (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hddennis Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 Emile, while trying to find an answer to your questions I realized my suggestion to use any 6 volt coil was wrong and shows my lack of electrical knowledge. If I understand the problem correctly most 6 volt coils were used with a distributor whose points and condenser helped to control the coil's spark and using the coil by itself wouldn't work in your case. I was wondering if you could use a vibrating or trembler coil instead? that being said I STILL don't understand how your Maxwell's original coil functioned. I'm hoping someone with better knowledge will chime in and educate us both. Howard Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryLime Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/599638/617011.html?1455830339 This link is a discussion about Maxwell Mag and Coil. They state the coil is 1.2 OHMS. I think it is used as an induction coil. The magneto is used as a distributor . Good Luck......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emile Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 Hi All, thanks for the guidence. Do I understand this right: I can put a normal car coil in the system and run an HT lead into the magneto? Or have I misunderstood. Won't this break my magneto having extra power pumped into it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryLime Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 No ! you cannot run HT into the magneto. The "transformer coil" is just a primary of 1.2 ohms in series. The batteries produce an inductive kick when the points open. It won't break the magneto, it will discharge the magnet or ruin the coil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hddennis Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 1 hour ago, 23hack said: No ! you cannot run HT into the magneto. The "transformer coil" is just a primary of 1.2 ohms in series. The batteries produce an inductive kick when the points open. It won't break the magneto, it will discharge the magnet or ruin the coil. 23hack, thanks for posting this and helping us out. Answer this for me. If he wires his car according to the Maxwell diagram isn't he just running HT to the cap on the magneto which the magneto then distributes to the 4 cylinders until engine starts and not actually running HT to the magneto's internals? Howard Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryLime Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Howard, to answer your question I WISH I had the diagram of the magneto internals. Specifically , the connections on the end right over the points. Most magnetos have one connection there, to ground the points and shut off the engine. The magneto pictured has three , two are connected to the ignition start circuit per the diagram. I am GUESSING the right terminal is connected to the points and the left terminal is connected to the distributor center terminal then through the rotor to the plug leads. It isn't HT, it's low tension with the "transformer coil" providing an inductive kick that would fire the plug. The batteries are used only when the start switch is closed. I hope I am providing helpful thought here and not confusing the issue. I love mags and a good electrical problem. I've never seen a start circuit like that one. Good Luck........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hddennis Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 4 hours ago, 23hack said: Howard, to answer your question I WISH I had the diagram of the magneto internals. Specifically , the connections on the end right over the points. Most magnetos have one connection there, to ground the points and shut off the engine. The magneto pictured has three , two are connected to the ignition start circuit per the diagram. I am GUESSING the right terminal is connected to the points and the left terminal is connected to the distributor center terminal then through the rotor to the plug leads. It isn't HT, it's low tension with the "transformer coil" providing an inductive kick that would fire the plug. The batteries are used only when the start switch is closed. I hope I am providing helpful thought here and not confusing the issue. I love mags and a good electrical problem. I've never seen a start circuit like that one. Good Luck........ Found these in my files, hope they add to this? Howard Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emile Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Thanks for putting me right and the photos. I did think it was a bit strange to run HT into a magneto. I now understand how it works. What I don't understand is what can I use as this induction coil. There must be something out there that is easy to get hold of and will work. I suppose the other choice is to replace the magneto, but that would be a great shame as I like to keep things as original as possible. The photos Howard put up are exactly what my magneto looks like. Regards Emile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hddennis Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Emile, I don't know if they can help or not but when I was at the end of my rope on my 1917 Maxwell's dash regulator cutout and coil problem they rebuilt both for me. It would be worth a try to see if they could custom make something for you. http://www.mykmlifestyle.com/Ignition_Coils_Antique_.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emile Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 (edited) Dennis, I have spoken with a number of magneto repairers here and in the UK. Surprisingly only two had heard of an induction coil connected to a magneto. One said his father used to make them some 30 years ago, and if I could supply him with one he could copy it, but he would have to dismantle it first, which would make the original useless. My second to last resort is to try to connect a normal coil and condenser to the points and use the distrbutor of the magneto. I have to ground the magneto. My very last resort is to replace the magneto. Edited January 31, 2019 by Emile (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Goble Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 (edited) I Recently picked up a 1915 Maxwell and are having the same issues with the starting and weak spark Simms magneto I have a coil but it doesn’t look like the one in the pictures and it is not hooked up I was hoping a solution has been found? Edited September 1, 2019 by J Goble (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 (edited) I am trying to figure out how that coil works too. It appears from the illustration in HD Dennis's post, and from the descriptions, that it is a coil of wire with no core and no secondary. The closest ready made thing I can think of, is a speaker coil or air coil from an electronics supply store. They make hundreds of different sizes with different size wire, resistance, etc. If you knew how many turns of what size wire, or the electrical specs you might be able to pick one that was close enough to work. Did someone say it has a resistance of 1 1/2 ohms at 6 volts? Can anyone figure out what it does and what sort of coil is required? If you had some idea I am sure you could find a speaker coil that would work. Worst case you might have to buy a spool of wire and wind your own coil. Edited July 31, 2020 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hddennis Posted February 14, 2022 Share Posted February 14, 2022 While talking to Kevin & Mike at K M Lifestyle Mfg. about rebuilding my Atwater-Kent coil for my Late 1917 Maxwell this subject came up and Mike informed me he had replicated this transformer coil discussed above used on early 1917 and older Maxwells using the Simms magneto. K M Lifestyle Mfg. is located in Auburn, MA and can be reached at: https://mykmlifestyle.com/KM_Lifestyle_Mfg.html Mike has rebuilt many cutouts and regulators for me. Howard Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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