Thread: Headlights ?

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Recently there has been a couple of threads dealing with some Headlight related questions. In at least one of these the subject of a headlight Relay was mentioned. I didn't know anything about this subject and sat back and hoped that someone would breach this subject in a little more detail.

Tonight here in Alabama its a great night to go for a little drive. I have been under the weather for about 10 days and havn't even been out of the house very much. Went out to the shop to get the 46 Ford ready and remebered just how "BAD" my headlights are on that car. After getting it out of the shop and taking a better look, I decided that they are just too dim to be safe and didn't go for that drive.

Thats a bad thing, so I'm going to fix it. But dont really know where to begin. it is a 1946 Ford Tudor Sedan and has a good Rebel Wire harness in good shape I think. But the headlights are just to dim to be safe on these country roads at night. It is using the standered 12 volt 6012 headlight sealed beam's. Is there something in that Headlight Relay thing that might cure this problem? If so can someone steer me in the right direction.....

Roland

Not really sure where to begin with your question.

If you have a modern converted 12V system it should not be as bad as you stated even with the old style sealbeam bulbs. Before you start ungrading the parts I would suggest that you diagnose the problems first. The most common reason for dim lights is one (or more) poor grounds. Take a 12 gauge jumper wire and run it directly from the negative (ground) battery post to the grounded terminal of the headlight bulb. If the bulb then burns brighter, you have identified your first problem. The headlight relay you speak about is located "inside" most modern headlight switches. Relays are used when you have a heavy draw accessory and need to turn it on-off with a light duty switch. The modern headlights with the "twist-in" bulbs are much better than even the halogen sealed beams. They are not hard to update and are available from many vintage sources.

The headlight bulbs get dim because the electricity is trying to find the path of least resistance and that is usually through some other accessory, like a tailight bulb for example.

Good luck, LET THERE BE LIGHT! LOL

I think I would look at the headlight alignment again, I wish I had more to offer , but JP said what is usually the case.. poor ground., I would also look at the voltage supplied to the hot side of the bulb with a volt meter.I hope that helps. no way an electrician here.

Try using relays to your headlights. I have heard that by installing relays, your headlights become a lot brighter.

Check this out: www.watsons-streetworks.com/current_topic.html You should find this very helpful for an EZ to understand explanation of relays,I used it and it made a BIG difference,I also added the H.D.relay they offer to the ignition switch.