| faral | -- 11-20-2019 @ 8:25 PM |
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Headlights on 1940 ford pickup look like they project what one expect on a failing battery, but truth is battery is fine. Any insight to fix problem would be much appreciated and if no fix please let me know so I can sleep at night. Also, I ma not changing to and 8 volt from my current 6 v nor am I about to convert to a 12 system. Help, new club member. Joe
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| carcrazy | -- 11-20-2019 @ 8:58 PM |
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There are several options available to you. The first thing to do is to clean up all of the connections in the electrical circuit, including all the ground paths, that power the headlights. Once you have done that, if you are still not satisfied with the brightness of the lights you can install a headlight relay to allow a direct connection between the car battery and the headlights. If you still don't think the headlights are bright enough for night driving and you intend to drive a lot during the hours of darkness, you can convert the car to a 12 Volt system and use an alternator which charges a idle speed.
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| trjford8 | -- 11-21-2019 @ 7:19 AM |
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Joe, grounding is critical on a 6 volt system. As car crazy has advised clean up all the grounds. Make sure all connections are tight and clean(check all the bullet connectors and sleeves). Make sure the battery cables are the correct size(2-0 or bigger). If you have the braided cables on the battery or used on any of the grounds look at them closely for any signs of corrosion. If they don't look good change them. Make sure the headlight buckets are making a good ground to the fenders. Also make sure your charging system is up to par and putting out at least 6.0 volts or more.
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| CharlieStephens | -- 11-21-2019 @ 2:37 PM |
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Run a wire (one person at each end of the wire touching it to the correct point) from the ground on the headlight to the positive post of the battery, if the headlights get bright start looking for a grounding problem (undersize wires, dirty connections). Now do the same thing for the negative side. If the lights get bright then start checking your light switch and all of the connections. That should sort it out pretty quick. This message was edited by CharlieStephens on 11-21-19 @ 7:40 PM
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| TomO | -- 11-23-2019 @ 8:44 PM |
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The most common cause of dim headlights is the dimmer switch. It doesn't get used much and the contacts corrode. Operate the switch many times with the lights on. They should get brighter. You can also do a voltage drop test. Typical drop will be about 0.4 volts. Tom
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| 37RAGTOPMAN | -- 11-25-2019 @ 3:11 PM |
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hi dim headlights after you try cleaning the grounds, and checking all wires, the dimmer switch, and the bolts that mount the fenders to frame, rusty loose ? was wondering how old the headlight bulbs are,? might try a new set of seal beams 6 volt,, might just make a difference, my 2 cents 37 Ragtopman
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| fordv8j | -- 12-08-2019 @ 9:54 AM |
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I installed 6v sealed beems behind the lenses on our 38 coupe, wasn't very bright, so I ran a wire from the starter selanoid, through a fuse to a toggle switch, then direct to the dimmer switch, turn the lights on with the head light switch, the flip the toggle, they get bright, can drive at night
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| CaliforniaBorn36 | -- 12-17-2019 @ 10:50 AM |
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No one mentioned that the generator tends to put out less voltage at idle. I have experienced this with all my vintage cars. The minute I leave the stoplight the lights brighten up. There are lots of work arounds, but you just may be experiencing a normal situation. Another option, which I have not done, but might help, is to have your generator converted to and alternator by Ed Whitney, (He advertises in the V8 Times). This message was edited by CaliforniaBorn36 on 12-17-19 @ 5:36 PM
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