Whats that cylinder on the drivers side running board of 1909-1914 cars?
This is the acetylene or carbide generator. The generator was used1911 Roadster Ford Model T to supply acetylene gas to the cars headlights prior to the introduction of magneto powered electric lighting in 1915. The generator consists of a cannister which contains an upper compartment, filled with water, and a lower wire basket which contained calcium carbide. A valve on the top of the unit (controlled by the driver) released a drip of water from the upper compartment onto the carbide. This created acetylene gas which was then piped to the head lamps.
