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Looking for Information regarding early 1960's Magic Circle Transistorized Ignition System

Discussion in 'The Antiquated' started by Robert Larson, May 14, 2021.

  1. Robert Larson
    Joined: Apr 21, 2018
    Posts: 41

    Robert Larson

    Looking for Information regarding early 1960's Magic Circle Electronic Control System- I am guessing that it is an early transistorized ignition system. This system was on the left front fender inner splash shield under the hood in the engine compartment. Two small thin wires come out of the lower steel box- do not know where they go. To be CLEAR HERE: I put the "COBRA POWERED: emblem on the lower box- it was NOT on this unit originally. Pictures show two electrical boxes- the lower larger steel sheet metal box houses one 2" glass radio type tube, a 2 1/2" finned aluminum tube, a transformer, and other electrical components. The top aluminum box has a manufacturer plate stating "ARF Magic Circle Electronic Control, A.R.F. Products Inc, River Forest, Illinois and a serial number" with wiring from the lower box connecting to a paper tube with fine wire windings on the outside of the paper tube. What is this entire unit? Does anyone Know anything about the function of it? Any history or information would be helpful. Thank You, Bob RIMG7660.JPG RIMG7660.JPG RIMG7656.JPG
     

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  2. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 58,110

    squirrel
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    no idea. Where do the wires go, can you take a picture of the thingy? What's inside the boxes?

    anyways, without being connected to anything else in the wiring of the car, it's just art...doesn't do a damn thing!
     
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  3. Elcohaulic
    Joined: Dec 27, 2017
    Posts: 2,213

    Elcohaulic

    It was a remote control system..
     
  4. Robert Larson
    Joined: Apr 21, 2018
    Posts: 41

    Robert Larson

    I want to state that I reconditioned the outside of this unit and have installed it on my Day 2 restored 427 R - Code 63 Galaxie as a conversation piece. This unit originally was on a 1964 Galaxie. I have no idea where the wires go because the wires were cut and there was no engine in car. As stated, there are two electrical tubes in the lower box, a small transformer, and other electric parts. Three wires go up to the upper box and connect to a paper tube with fine wire wr
    What is a remote control system? Please explain what you think this system controls. Thank You, Bob
     
  5. greybeard360
    Joined: Feb 28, 2008
    Posts: 2,096

    greybeard360
    Member

    From what I could find.... It is a garage door opener. Magic circle links your transmitter to only your receiver.
     
  6. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 58,110

    squirrel
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    yup, it's art.

    Thanks for the tips, I didn't bother googling this one.
     
  7. Robert Larson
    Joined: Apr 21, 2018
    Posts: 41

    Robert Larson

    If it is a garage door opener, there should be a two wire switch inside the car, close to the driver, to activate the door. Then, there should be a wire to power the unit, for a total of three wires. There are only two wires coming out of this unit. Were there remote Garage Door openers in the early sixties? I think the radio tube in the unit was used as an early transistor- before transistorized electronics came out in the mid-sixties, and miniaturized radios and televisions. Thank You for you input and suggestion. Have a great weekend-Bob
     
  8. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 58,110

    squirrel
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    pictures of the insides can help us figure out the date it might be from. There are date codes on some electronic components, you know.

    btw the trade name registration was applied for in 1950, and granted in 1957, and renewed in 1977.
     
  9. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 58,110

    squirrel
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

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  10. Robert Larson
    Joined: Apr 21, 2018
    Posts: 41

    Robert Larson

    I also saw your pictured unit on eBay. Quite a lot of money for something no one knows what it is. I think ARF Products Inc made several different products during the 50's and 60's and figure those products involved home and auto. I will take some pictures of the inside of the bottom box tomorrow- there are two sides to this unit. One side has electrical components and the other side has the tubes and a transformer looking thing with windings. It is weird that there are only two small wires coming out/in of this unit. Thank You for your input-Bob
     
  11. Elcohaulic
    Joined: Dec 27, 2017
    Posts: 2,213

    Elcohaulic

    It sounds like the bottom unit is the transmitter and the upper unit is the antenna.. But I'm only an electrician and not a electronics engineer.. Maybe this was a test car for Ford that they could change timing and carburetor settings on the fly... This year was right when the change was taking place from tubes to transistors..
    The Cobra symbol could be from the Cobra CB company and not have anything to do with Ford..
     
  12. Robert Larson
    Joined: Apr 21, 2018
    Posts: 41

    Robert Larson

    I put the Cobra Emblem on because I had it mounted on the splash shield and had to put it somewhere in the engine compartment- it fit.
     
  13. Elcohaulic
    Joined: Dec 27, 2017
    Posts: 2,213

    Elcohaulic

    It does look cool...
     
  14. Robert Larson
    Joined: Apr 21, 2018
    Posts: 41

    Robert Larson

    Thank You for your information. I believe it is a 1950's to mid 1960's remote control for opening a grage door with a receiver control in the garage. It appears this unit would be mounted in line to a horn- when the horn was activated it also powered this unit, sending a radio signal to the home garage door receiver. Interesting these ideas were around during this time vintage period. There were a lot of new ideas and electronic products floating around after the war. Thank You to everyone throwing out suggestions. -Bob
     
  15. cscscscscscscs
    Joined: Dec 12, 2022
    Posts: 1

    cscscscscscscs

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