Conversion to 6 volt, positive ground, LED headlights

[Merc Cruzer]

My 53' Mercury is still the 6 volt positive ground electrical system, running off the original 35 amp generator. I have included a video showing: daylight, sealed beam and LED headlights, on the same road. The new LED bulbs are mounted in a 7" Hella headlight housing, are a direct plug and play conversion.

The cost:
Hella lights: $71.16
LED bulbs: $32.89
Total cost: $104.05

The Hella lights came from:

https://www.quadratec.com/products/...campaign=remarketing&utm_content=lower-funnel

The bulbs came from LEDLight.com:

https://www.ledlight.com/led-headlamp-5-to-30-volt-p43t-h4-dual-filament-non-polarity.aspx

LED headlamp works either positive ground or negative ground. Wide voltage from 5 to 30 Volts AC or DC. No polarity, Bi polarity, non polarized. Made with 16 CREE 2525 smd for super bright. The headlamp lights on both sides. Dual filament both a low and high beam. The low beam Lumen output is up to 1200 Lumens. The high beam is up to 1800 Lumens. Great for vintage and classic cars. Long life up to 30,000 hours. CE and Rohs certified. Made with aluminum to keep the CREE lamps cool so they can operate for a long life. The circuit board is constant current so the leds should not flicker. Available in White 6500k. Perfectly works with product 69854 is a 7" round semi-sealed housing and 68721 is a 5"x7" rectangle housing. Both these semi-sealed housings use the P43T bulb. This allows both the housing and the bulb to be upgraded for the older vehicles that are 6 volt positive ground or 12 volt positive ground. Uses only 800mA for low beam and 1.4A for high beam. CE Rohs. Compatible with: 1949 Plymouth convertible

utube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0WPn8gKSpI&t=17s

Pictures:
Going from top left, then right to end then back and down to next row, etc:

1. Hella bulb in place
2. original bulb in place
3. original bulb plugged in w/original plug
4. Hella bulb plugged in w/original plug (no modifications)
5. Lights side by side
6. Back side of lights
7. LED bulb
8. Original bulb light pattern
9. LED bulb light pattern
10. Original bulb on left, LED bulb on right , light pattern
11. Hella box

 

[51 MERC-CT]

Looks like an excellent way to go for those with 6 volt systems.
Did my 12 conversion about a month ago with the only issue being that the lens/reflectors were loose after assy. (a few dabs of strategically placed RTV cured the problem.)

 

[Mr. Will]

Was thinking about this for my 36. Would they have the reflectors and bulbs for that conversion?

 

[51 MERC-CT]

Was thinking about this for my 36. Would they have the reflectors and bulbs for that conversion?

They are out there but pricey.
They are 12 volt but the 6 volt bulbs that are available should work.



https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-1935-1936-Car-1935-1939-Truck-LED-Headlight-Reflectors-LED-Light/292248144337?fits=Year%3A1936%7CMake%3AFord&hash=item440b58c9d1:g:-vUAAOSwzhVWq33C:sc:FedExHomeDelivery!06108!US!-1



.

 

[Pat/Ohio]

Thanks for this info! The video was amazing! I just ordered mine for my '50 Ford.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

Looks like an excellent way to go for those with 6 volt systems.
Did my 12 conversion about a month ago with the only issue being that the lens/reflectors were loose after assy. (a few dabs of strategically placed RTV cured the problem.)

Since I have power windows (4 motors), power top, and 4 way power seats (two motors), it was going to be too much of a project to convert all of them over to 12 volt, even with voltage reducers. So this turned out the to be the easiest way to go.

I am also doing a LED conversion on my tail lights, so stay tuned, that is much more dramatic. All I need to do is get the pictures taken and the video completed and I will post it.

 

[51 MERC-CT]

Since I have power windows (4 motors), power top, and 4 way power seats (two motors), it was going to be too much of a project to convert all of them over to 12 volt, even with voltage reducers. So this turned out the to be the easiest way to go.

I am also doing a LED conversion on my tail lights, so stay tuned, that is much more dramatic. All I need to do is get the pictures take and the video completed and I will post it.

Running the windows and top etc. on 12 volts would be interesting though.
Probably operate at super fast speed.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

Running the windows and top etc. on 12 volts would be interesting though.
Probably operate at super fast speed.

When I watch The Long Long Trailer, while they are in the Mercury dealer show room, and Lucy is playing with top, that top is twice as fast as mine. Mine are the screw jacks not hydraulic, like the earlier and later tops.

 

[fortyonerag]

^^^^I have screw jack top mechanism on my 41. Its a very slow operation.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

When I watch The Long Long Trailer, while they are in the Mercury dealer show room, and Lucy is playing with top, that top is twice as fast as mine. Mine are the screw jacks not hydraulic, like the earlier and later tops.

The tail light posting is at:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1798056#post1798056

 

[Pat/Ohio]

Merc Cruzer....Let me ask you....Is there a particular reason for purchasing the Hella head light housing opposed to the housings recommended (DOT compliant) by LEDlight.com? Just curious as I ordered the lamp housings recommended on the LEDlight.com website by mistake. They should arrive tomorrow (Friday).

Thanks,
Pat

 

[meric42]

In the last two days I tried twice to order LED bulbs from them and both times they have refunded my PayPal payment without telling me why??? I have emailed them to ask why but no reply as yet

 

[Merc Cruzer]

Merc Cruzer....Let me ask you....Is there a particular reason for purchasing the Hella head light housing opposed to the housings recommended (DOT compliant) by LEDlight.com? Just curious as I ordered the lamp housings recommended on the LEDlight.com website by mistake. They should arrive tomorrow (Friday).

Thanks,
Pat

When they arrive, give them a try and see how they work. I would be very interested to hear what you think of the lights. It would be great to see pictures of the lights.

My research into the DOT compliant lights, was that they are required to project 15% of the light upward for overhead signs.

The description of the LEDlight's recommend headlight housing:

Headlight housing 7" round DOT complaint with T10 5 Watt parking bulb. This assembly allows you to install your own led, hid, xenon or halogen bulb. The assembly accepts P43T H4 headlight bulb. These DOT headlamp assemblies are designed for USA right hand traffic LHD. The headlight housing is made of plastic. The assembly is CE and Rohs listed. The headlight semi sealed housing assembly has a clear lens. This assembly works great for vintage and classic vehicles with older faded glass or plastic headlights. For 6 volt positive ground and 6 volt negative ground vehicles you can use our 6 volt led bulbs and upgrade you old vehicle to led lighting. Easy DIY just remove existing headlight assembly and install this semi sealed headlight assembly usually by 3 screws. This headlight works good for motorcycles, scooters and tractors that are old and either 6 or 12 positive and negative ground systems. Comes a pair of 2 headlight assemblies. A rubber boot covers your bulb to keep out the environment as much as possible. Compatible with: H6024 size 52 Mercedes 220 w1872d1 1949 Plymouth convertible

The Hella Housing:

The Hella's are a metal housing with a glass lens.

The low beam will yield about four times as much light down trail as a standard sealed beam and twice as much on high beam. A wedge of light on the right side lights up trailside features. These offer tight beam control and don’t spread light overhead like DOT conversions. That facilitates the use of upgraded bulbs without offending oncoming traffic. Hella E-code headlights conform to European Standards. Not DOT approved.

Hella's engineering of headlights. Hella's lights are a better product with a long running history and reputation. I also felt the lens patter on the Hella's was better than the recommended ones. (see attached pictures). I am sure that LEDlight's recommendations are made to comply with current DOT standards, state laws and insurance recommendations for products sold to be used in cars on the public highways and roads.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

In the last two days I tried twice to order LED bulbs from them and both times they have refunded my PayPal payment without telling me why??? I have emailed them to ask why but no reply as yet

I emailed Zack at LEDbulbs about the issue. Let me know when he responds.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

In the last two days I tried twice to order LED bulbs from them and both times they have refunded my PayPal payment without telling me why??? I have emailed them to ask why but no reply as yet

The explanation is:

In a message dated 9/14/2019 10:58:43 AM Mountain Standard Time,

sales@ledlight.com writes:

Dear Roy,

Due to credit card guidelines LEDLight.com does not ship to a 3rd party address "Freight forwarder" or a international address. A Canadian customer can place a order using UPS Standard to Canada as the shipping option. A international customer can place a order by 250.00 USD miniumum payment by wire transfer.

Sincerely,Zack
Sales Department
LEDLight.com

Do you know someone in the states that could buy them and then send them to you?

 

[Merc Cruzer]

I know this is a big ask, but is anyone traveling to New Zealand in the next few months?

Sample the beloved vintages of the Marlborough Wine Region in Blenheim, an agricultural town in the heart of New Zealand’s renowned wine hub. More than 20 wineries are just a hop, skip and a corkscrew away from Blenheim, where a stream of cafes and restaurants serve up tasty, artisan fare. One of the sunniest towns in New Zealand, Blenheim is the perfect destination for foodies and wine lovers who love to soak up the sun while sipping the fruits of a vineyard’s labor.

 

[meric42]

I know this is a big ask, but is anyone traveling to New Zealand in the next few months?

Sample the beloved vintages of the Marlborough Wine Region in Blenheim, an agricultural town in the heart of New Zealand’s renowned wine hub. More than 20 wineries are just a hop, skip and a corkscrew away from Blenheim, where a stream of cafes and restaurants serve up tasty, artisan fare. One of the sunniest towns in New Zealand, Blenheim is the perfect destination for foodies and wine lovers who love to soak up the sun while sipping the fruits of a vineyard’s labor.

You should be working for the NZ Tourism Board

 

[meric42]

I know this is a big ask, but is anyone traveling to New Zealand in the next few months?

Sample the beloved vintages of the Marlborough Wine Region in Blenheim, an agricultural town in the heart of New Zealand’s renowned wine hub. More than 20 wineries are just a hop, skip and a corkscrew away from Blenheim, where a stream of cafes and restaurants serve up tasty, artisan fare. One of the sunniest towns in New Zealand, Blenheim is the perfect destination for foodies and wine lovers who love to soak up the sun while sipping the fruits of a vineyard’s labor.

We'll be in the USA (Las Vegas & Tulsa at least) next April for Viva Las Vegas and a friends daughters wedding but still cant buy from these guys and get them delivered in the US from here in NZ.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

We'll be in the USA (Las Vegas & Tulsa at least) next April for Viva Las Vegas and a friends daughters wedding but still cant buy from these guys and get them delivered in the US from here in NZ.

I just send you a PM, I think we can find a way to get the bulbs to you.

 

[Stephan]

i tried this with high quality 6V LED and they flicker at idle speed. I was told by Octane Lighting that it is normal and goes away at driving speeds. That is true; however, i went to Halogen and they work fine although not as bright as the LED.

Has anyone else had this issue? At first i thought about going to a 50 amp generator, but, prefer not to.