| Barney | -- 04-24-2023 @ 4:42 PM |
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Hello electricians, I have a fairly stock 1940 Ford with a flathead V-8. It is still a 6-volt system. I believe it's safe to state that when the low beams are selected, only the low beam elements are energized. Ditto for the high beams. Wondering if anyone care to comment on wiring the lights so both the low and high elements are on when high beams are selected. I'm guessing that too much heat would be generated which would probably drastically shorten bulb life. And / or it would draw too much current such that the generator could not satisfy the demand. BTW, I would probably not use the original headlight switch; probably use two separate switches. There's probably enough light being produced; would like a bit more as my age is close to my car's age. Thank you for any input, Barney
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| carcrazy | -- 04-24-2023 @ 7:54 PM |
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You are probably correct on both counts. What you can do to make the headlights brighter is to use a headlight relay. These are claimed to provide up to 30% brighter headlights while providing up to 50% longer service life for the original headlight switch. One source for these is Fifth Avenue Antique Auto Parts, www.fifthaveinternetgarage.com. Follow the instructions that come with the part to wire it correctly.
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| Barney | -- 04-26-2023 @ 1:24 PM |
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Hello Carcrazy, Thank you very much for your input and link to a seller of a product of a probable remedy of this situation. In appreciation, Barney
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| TomO | -- 04-26-2023 @ 8:00 PM |
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Switching on the Hi beams when the low beams are on is probably not a good idea. The Hi beams are focused to light the road further away and would be directed into oncoming drivers eyes. Before you spend a lot of time rewiring to install headlight relays, check out the voltage at the head light bulb with the engine running at about 20 mph (about 1200rpm). If it above 6 volts the relay won't help you. The bulb is at its brightest. Try new bulbs, incandescent bulbs loose brightness after being used for a long time. If it is below 5.5Volts, Operate your dimmer switch many times and recheck the voltage. If it is higher, your switch is dirty. Sometimes just operating the switch will clean it, other times it is best to disassemble and clean the contacts and coat the contacts with bulb grease. If operating the dimmer switch did not raise the voltage, operate the light switchmany times to see if that will raise the voltage. Tom
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| JayChicago | -- 04-27-2023 @ 8:48 AM |
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Good advice from TomO, as always. If all is well with the electrical system, the 6 volt headlights can be very bright. My headlights are as bright as my daily driver's. IMHO, adding relays is a Rube Goldberg fix to by-pass a problem. And if the source of the problem is at the headlight itself (bad ground there is common), that's downstream of the relay so problem will still exist. Why not find and fix the electrical problem(s)? May require recruiting someone to help you with the electrical troubleshooting. If the headlight switch or the dimmer switch needs replacing, reproductions for the '40 are available from the usual vendors. 6 volt Halogen bulbs are readily available. They give a little brighter and whiter light. But they too, need a good 6 volt feed.
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| Barney | -- 04-29-2023 @ 5:39 AM |
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Hello TomO and Jay, Thanks for the comments. I totally agree about thorough grounding. This issue started after installing a new floor-mounted dimmer switch - probably Chinese. I'm guessing that's where I'll find the problem. I haven't heard Rube mentioned in some time; he's quite the character. The sealed beams are relatively new; only 2 or 3 hours on them. Enjoy your weekend, Barney
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