Topic: Dim Headlights


Dream38v8    -- 04-15-2021 @ 2:27 PM
  There are many strings discussing dim headlights on this forum. I am in the process of checking grounds. I was on the Fifth Avenue Internet Garage site and discovered a "Heavy Duty 6V Headlight Relay". The site claims a 30% increase in headlight brightness plus a 50% longer service life for the headlight switch. Has anyone tried this relay? If so, what were your results? Thank heavens I have foglights, but I want to increase my headlight brightness.

Thanks


Ray


carcrazy    -- 04-15-2021 @ 2:59 PM
  I have installed one of these relays on a 1953 Ford and found that the headlights are brighter with it. They may not be as bright as the headlights are in a 12V system but are definitely brighter than 6V headlights with the standard system.

This message was edited by carcrazy on 4-15-21 @ 3:00 PM


TomO    -- 04-16-2021 @ 9:25 AM
  The headlights need at least 6 volts going to them to acheive normal brightness. You can get that by cleaning all of your connections and repairing or replacing switches that have high resistance. I have explained how to find the poor connections and corroded switches many time on this forum using a voltage drop test. The voltage drop test also checks the grounding system, eliminating many hours fixing what is not broken.

The relay will also work, because it delivers 6 volts to the headlights by bypassing all of the connections.

Once you have 6 volts to the bulbs, you will also need to make sure that your lens and reflectors are clean and not scratched

I would not put halogen bulbs in your stock headlight buckets due to the heat that they generate.

Tom


JayChicago    -- 04-16-2021 @ 9:46 AM
  I have no experience with a headlight relay, but here's my thoughts on it for what its worth:
If your problem is with too much resistance thru the switch, circuit breaker, and associated wiring, then a relay may solve the problem.
But if your problem is too much resistance at the headlight wiring and grounds (which is more likely), then a relay will probably not solve anything. After the relay, the current will still need a clean path to ground thru the headlight wiring and grounds.

I think you are on the right track in first checking/cleaning the connections and grounds at the headlights themselves.




supereal    -- 04-16-2021 @ 11:42 AM
  Usually the problem with dim headlights is that most of the power is lost at the dash switch, the dimmer switch, and the numerous "bullet" connectors. I solved the problem in my '47 by operating the lights though a pair of 6v starter solenoids controlled by the stock headlight wiring. Now the headlights are as bright as modern vehicles. If you need instructions, I can post them, or use the personal message to have it mailed.


1931 Flamingo    -- 04-16-2021 @ 12:22 PM
  Try adding a seperate ground wire at the headlights themselves.
Paul in CT


Dream38v8    -- 04-17-2021 @ 4:03 AM
  As soon as my '38 is back from the shop (having Diamondback's installed) I will get to work on cleaning the headlight grounds. Previously I cleaned the lens and reflectors. Also I have no plans to replace the standard bulbs with halogen or LED bulbs. I seldom drive after dark, but I still need to beable to I can navigate the road.

Thank you to everyone that replied to my query. I appreciate the wealth of knowledge on this forum. At this time my '38 has only three modification; 1) electric fuel pump which I seldom use, 2) Fender headers and 3) third brake light. I guess adding radial tires makes four modifications.

Ray


Dream38v8    -- 04-17-2021 @ 4:05 AM
  Supereal, please post your instruction to this forum. Others on this site may find your information useful.

Thank you,

Ray


Grant    -- 04-17-2021 @ 6:12 AM
  I second that motion, Supereal. If you could post those instructions, that would be a big help.

Where did you install the extra solenoids on your '47? On one of the inner fenders?

Are you using a normal six volt headlamp bulb like a Wagner 6006?

Thanks very much for participating on this thread.












.

This message was edited by Grant on 4-17-21 @ 6:14 AM


TomO    -- 04-17-2021 @ 8:14 AM
  Ray, Your grounding connections should be checked using the voltage drop method. It will probably save you many hours of checking and cleaning ground connections that were doing their job.

Connect your voltmeter red lead to the POS battery post and the black lead to the headlight bucket. Turn on you headlights to the high beam. The meter should read 0.1Volt or less. If the reading is higher, you have a grounding problem.

If you have a grounding problem, the most likely failing component is the grounding cable from the battery to the body or from the body to the engine.

Check for 6 volts at the head light wiring, by using a paper clip to probe that bullet connection for the high beams and turn on the hi beams. If you have less than 6 volts, you can try operating the dimmer switch or do a voltage drop test.

https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=14&Topic=14063&keywords=voltage%20drop

Tom


supereal    -- 04-17-2021 @ 10:12 AM
  My info is two pages and doesn't scan well. If you want them, send me your address (snail mail) and I will get them to you.
Bob Sh*llady, 2978 North liberty Rd NE, Iowa City IA. We have operated a large machine shop for many years. The headlight relay does not require alteration of the stock wiring. I installed it in my '47 convertible years ago when all other options did not produce safe lighting.


Grant    -- 04-17-2021 @ 4:09 PM
  Thanks again, Bob. My name and address are:

Grant Fleming
Rural Route 1
13255 Ten Mile Road
Ilderton Ontario N0M2A0
Canada

I do appreciate your assistance.

Do you have a recommendation with respect to which six volt headlamp would be the best brand to use in our 1951 convertible?



.


supereal    -- 04-18-2021 @ 11:52 AM
  My headlight material is 4 pages, some in color. There are some details included. I am happy to invest the time and stamp
to mail out the package. Easy contact request here on the Forum, or you can phone at 319/351-1376. I sent out a bunch of them today (Sunday). The unit can be installed anywhere, but we place them near the headlight wire junction at the left front corner under the hood on the engine side on the inner fender.

This message was edited by supereal on 4-18-21 @ 1:02 PM


Grant    -- 04-19-2021 @ 5:40 AM
  That's great, Bob. Thank you.

The postage cost to us in Canada will be reimbursed.

Am I reading the Echlin part number correctly as ST541 in your diagram?

Does that version of NAPA solenoid have a push button on the bottom?

What we're trying to do here is get the brightest headlights possible on a 1951 convertible which is undergoing a body-off restoration, using an NOS stock wiring harness and a six volt Optima battery.




.


1931 Flamingo    -- 04-19-2021 @ 7:11 AM
  You can never have too many grounds. JMO
Paul in CT


supereal    -- 04-19-2021 @ 1:42 PM
  The number ST541 is the Echlin number. No button on it. When we had trouble finding six volt solenoids, we told the supplier (NAPA) to check the parts for Ford tractors, and that did the trick. We use a lot of these for various old vehicle modifications. We used four of them to construct a control for the top of my '47 Ford convertible. No need to worry about postage. I am happy to share information.

Good luck with your convertible project. I found my '47 ragtop in an insurance company claim. It was a sorry sight, but now it has been awarded a shelf full of trophies for first place at shows. I enclosed a flyer with details that will advertise the sale of that car. I love it, and had many happy miles with it, but now that I am 86, it is time to share it. Open cars are always fun, particularly when summer comes.

This message was edited by supereal on 4-19-21 @ 1:43 PM


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