Halogen conversion kit experience

rbassemir

rbassemir

Member
I see Mac's has a halogen conversion kit for my 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan with a stock 6 volt setup. I am wondering if anyone has any experience with this kit.

Searching the forum I see comments like the halogenbulbs draw more current than the generator can supply.

It also looks like if I use that kit, I loose my current parking lights. I also can't tell if the kit includes a high beam.

Another forum comment I read was the halogen beam is not focused well.

Maybe I just need new reflectors, but I thought I would ask if any of you have used this kit and if you were pleased with the results.
 
Been there done that! Several years ago when I was rebuilding my '39 Plym conv cpe I was faced with the problem of how to replace the sealed beam headlight conversion on the '39, with correct reflector lights. After reading several articles about halogen conversions for the stock set of headlights I had acquired, I bought a halogen conversion kit for my stock reflectors.
I had already converted the electrical system to 12v and installed a PLAINLESS wiring system in the car. I had to modify the stock reflectors to accommodated the halogen receptacles, which ruined the reflectors for a stock application in the future.
The halogen lights put out a lot of light, however, the halogen bulbs don't match the prism's of the stock lens so the light is not correctly directed to the road. The stock '36-39 bulbs are "pre-focused" to match the prisms in the lens.
No body told me that the halogen lights draw more current/amps, which cooks the average headlight switch. When I would loose a headlight switch about once a year I attributed the failure to inferior China parts... Wrong.
To solve the headlight problem I purchased 36-39 12v Bright Bulbs from Ron Francis. I also purchased a HD switch from Ron Francis.
I had a set of 39 reflectors nickle plated and then had them coated with glass by UVIRA Corp in Grants Pass Or.
My suggestion to you would be to use Ron Franicis 6v Bright Bulbs and his replacement sockets... If your reflectors are dull have them nickle plated then send them off to UVIRA...
 
Adding relays for the headlights is another way to go. Removes the current load from the headlight switch.
 
You don't need as high a wattage bulb if the focus is good
i have been running 35 watt halogens in my A for over 20 years, no problems with generator, sockets, wiring, switch ---I drive a lot at night, confidant driving over 50mph at night
 
I put a drake kit on my 37 pickup as I wanted indicators in the headlight. That works ok but the headlights are useless as as others have said they are not focus right.I haven't worried about it as I rarely drive at night.ý
 
JSeery said:
Adding relays for the headlights is another way to go. Removes the current load from the headlight switch.
Click to expand...

I second this, I have done this on my '41 Coupe with 6 Volt Halogen bulbs (from Amazon) and the result is fantastic i.e. Headlights like a modern car. I have tried LED bulbs but they are not as good as the Halogen... so far that is.
 
I have a sealed beam kit I took out of a ‘35 Ford Convertible Sedan.
It worked just fine but the car owner wanted everything stock.
I would first try a relay down by the left front motor mount with the power going to it from a number 8 wire off the starter switch coming off the battery.
You can test the system by turning the lights on, watching there brightness and having a helper flash a #8 wire from the battery cable to the power wire on the dimmer switch.
 
Wait for the LED headlamps. There coming for 6 volt. I already put them on my two T Birds. They are great and use very little power.
 
I checked the listing, and it says nothing about polarity. As far as I know, LED's are polarity-sensitive. Are these for positive or negative ground (or maybe work on either)? The only vehicles they list these are for are Volkswagens. Unfortunately, I no nothing about bugs, so that doesn't help.

Have you tried them yet?
 
meric42 said:
I second this, I have done this on my '41 Coupe with 6 Volt Halogen bulbs (from Amazon) and the result is fantastic i.e. Headlights like a modern car. I have tried LED bulbs but they are not as good as the Halogen... so far that is.
Click to expand...


I believe the original question pertained to upgrading a '35 Ford


Vehicles that came with sealed beams, '40 and later are a completely different game than the '39 and earlier reflector type headlights.


I converted the headlights on my '36 Ford coupe to sealed beams in 1952, very simple, just switched to a two brush '39 gen, the '39 gen had a fan mount on the front of the gen and had a HD ball bearing in the front in lieu of a bushing, and utilized a regulator. Wired in a relay in the headlight circuit and had excellent lights with just a standard 6v sealed beam.
In '54 I discarded the stock switch on the column, added a dimmer switch on the floor and a pull switch on the dash. The system has not been touched since. I have driven my '36 during all kinds of weather, spent many an hour driving in the dark during the course of driving the '36 for over 94k.
 
As I recall, the ‘39 Standard used a generator with cut-out on top with bulb head lights same as ‘38 but the ‘39 DeLuxe used a generator with a voltage regulator because the Deluxe had sealed beam headlights.
 
A tip for halogen, in my experience, is that they belong in the tip. The rubbish tip.

Stock with good reflectors, or LED if you can focus them (they're cheap enough i used to take them apart & make them work for my reflectors & lense)
 
Aarongriffey said:
As I recall, the ‘39 Standard used a generator with cut-out on top with bulb head lights same as ‘38 but the ‘39 DeLuxe used a generator with a voltage regulator because the Deluxe had sealed beam headlights.
Click to expand...
With respect, the '39 Deluxe didn't have sealed beam headlights. They came out for the first time in 1940. The '39 deluxe had a two brush generator with a voltage regulator. This I'm told it was to accommodate a radio. Others will probably know.
Ken
 
tubman said:
I checked the listing, and it says nothing about polarity. As far as I know, LED's are polarity-sensitive. Are these for positive or negative ground (or maybe work on either)? The only vehicles they list these are for are Volkswagens. Unfortunately, I no nothing about bugs, so that doesn't help.

Have you tried them yet?
Click to expand...



My prior post: Conversion to 6 volt, positive ground, LED headlights

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1796222#post1796222

I am currently converting my fog lights to 6 volt LED's

As for the 35' check here for a LED bulb: sales@ledlight.com

https://www.ledlight.com/h1-h3-h7-led-bulb-6-volt-positive-or-negative-ground.aspx
 
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tubman said:
I checked the listing, and it says nothing about polarity. As far as I know, LED's are polarity-sensitive.

Have you tried them yet?
Click to expand...

Not all LEDs are polarity sensitive. About half of them made today are not. I have those on my 40 wagon for parking lights, taillights, brake lights. They work great and are running on 6v positive ground. Its something that needs to be checked out though before purchasing.
 
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meric42 said:
I second this, I have done this on my '41 Coupe with 6 Volt Halogen bulbs (from Amazon) and the result is fantastic i.e. Headlights like a modern car. I have tried LED bulbs but they are not as good as the Halogen... so far that is.
Click to expand...

I agree -LEDs aren't as good as they don't focus properly. When I tried them in my 34 i couldn't pass the WOF (mandatory safety inspection in our country)
due to them being unfocussed . Never any problems with Halogens which I now have in both the Model A and the 34 -Karl
 
Thanks for all for sharing your experiences. I have not yet driven my Convertible Sedan at night yet with the stock setup, but anticipate I will want to upgrade. I appreciate you taking the time out to share advice.
 
Halogens draw to many amps for a stock six volt system. In addition as stated the reflectors are not correct for the bulb. Had the kit, installed it, uninstalled it, threw it away. Bought brand new originals reflectors and bulbs.
 
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