dim halogen conversion.

D

drchip

Member
Anyone got any good answers for dim halogen headlight conversion in my 35 ford tudor? I have new reflectors and new lenses and cant see 20 ft at night. There isnt really a line of light to try to aim - it just seems like the lens diffuses the light in all directions. The amber turn signals in them show great but I was stunned how bad this conversion is to illuminate the road.
 
I'm not sure about a '35, but I can see pretty well with them in my '38.

Are your ground connectins good?
 
I have all new wiring, new switch, and a relay next to the radiator for high beam and another for low beam. I tried to be very careful in providing good grounds. All connections crimped, soldered, and shrink tubed.
 
If the bulb filaments aren't located in the proper place tghere will be "light" but it won't project a beam, the bulb needs to be moved ---or a properly formed reflector is needed.
It could also be that the bulb is assembled wrong.

I have the direct fit bulbs in original reflectors, the bulb made by classicandvintagebulbs is good, some of the India, China bulbs have bad filament location, will not focus properly

Some of the plastic reflectors that have H4 bulbs are not shaped correct, can't be focused, they make a bright light that goes nowhere.

The original bulbs are "prefocused" and are lined up with the 3 pins

With my "A" I can see signs and poles for more than 1/3 mile with 35 watt direct fit in original reflectors
 
Just retrofitted a 36 woody that had halogen in it for 15 years, and he always complained about not being able to see properly at night. Used Bob Drakes "NEW" reflectorand bulb assembly kit in it, and the customer is extremely happy now that he can see at night. Drakes reflectors are formed to move the bulb forward and away from the reflector which changes the performance of illumination.
 
What bulbs did you use? The bulbs and reflectors have to match. I have reproduction reflectors and correct (expensive) halogens in my 37 and they are an improvement over the incandescents I took out. The focal length of the halogens I have match the original bulb. I had to be very careful as my halogens did not like to rotate all the way to install. When I first put a bulb in I had a very dim bulb until the bulb rotated a little bit more.
 
I dont know the manufacturer but I purchased these from Midwest Early Ford. It is a quartzhalogen reflector kit with sockets installed #48-13027-qkts. I dont know what the bulb # was. The lens is 48-13060. Dont know if this helps. I do know it was a real pita to get everything assembled.
 
I rewired my head lights and I wire it wrong.If you look at back of blub the middle top one is Low Red wire,Left Black or Grd,Right green red. This could be your problem
 
Double check that your ground is good.I always run a separate ground from light socket or reflector (if its metal) to the frame .Soldering terminals is always better than crimping.
 
I have DRAKES reflectors.No comparison to regular reflector.I have used h4 bulbs for about 20 years with conversion bulb and reflector kit.I purchased Drakes reflector and only changed reflector (used old bulbs h4).Huge difference.Very pleased
Only trouble was explaining to better half why my reflectors were worn out lee34
 
Yes its 12 volt. I have read mixed reviews on Drakes reflectors - some say work great but others say they are very poor quality??? Sounds like my only option is to try them. It isnt just the expense that annoys me but I hate the thought of reassembling them again. But they are no good the way they are so I guess I gotta bite the bullet. Thanks for the imput.
 
Hard to get these to show much -

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drchip said:
Hard to get these to show much -

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From the color of the lights I would say you are not getting enough voltage across the lights. Probably a bad ground somewhere. How much voltage is your battery putting out, that could be a problem but I am betting on the grounds? Are your wires to the lights big enough (do they get hot)?

Charlie Stephens
 
I to think your not going full power.Some new wires are very small and should be larger wire.If you take a wire from battery and remove the blub and go direct and see if it gets brighter. Grd left side black wire.
 
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