Head lights bulbs.

Ron Barber

Ron Barber

Member
This may sound as a stupid question, but here it goes. Is there a difference between head light 6 volt bulbs or do they go dim over time? I have a pair of bulbs that are dim I believe the number is 6006 and I think they came from NAPA. The wiring is fairy new and ground is good. This is on my 47 truck I don't know way the photo shows my 31 Model A.
 
As far as I know, No, The bulbs will put out the same light until they burn out. I would check connections behind the bulb, battery voltage, generator charge etc. If you find the problem maybe even add a little dielectic grease to the contacts that have crrosion. 6volt systems can be fussy about continuity.
 
Could it be possible that NAPA gave you 8V or 12V bulbs instead of 6V bulbs? 8/12V bulbs would be dim on 6V. If bulbs are the correct voltage then I would guess that you may have a high resistance connection either in the main circuit or in the ground connection. Do you have a way to check voltage potential and current flow to the bulbs? JM
 
i think the headlight bulbs get dimmer with age, the reflector inside get darker and age, i would check to see if the gen and regulator are charging properly should be putting out 7.2 volts..JMO
 
JM 35 Sedan said:
Could it be possible that NAPA gave you 8V or 12V bulbs instead of 6V bulbs? 8/12V bulbs would be dim on 6V. If bulbs are the correct voltage then I would guess that you may have a high resistance connection either in the main circuit or in the ground connection. Do you have a way to check voltage potential and current flow to the bulbs? JM
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Hi John,when are you leaving for England??? ken ct.:)
 
Model A parts stores offer two different bulbs for headlights. The candle power is the difference. I think 55 candle power is the brightest.
 
I assume you are talking sealed beams. If so the reflectors should not change. The simplest/surest way is to remove the headlight rim and remove the bulb. Then connect 2 jumper wires, one to the ground prong and one to the other. If it appears brighter then when in the car, then you have a wiring problem. Now that you have the bulb out you can check the voltage at the socket. If it is not 6 volts then it must be a poor ground or poor wiring. Get a jumper to a good ground and insert one probe of you volt meter in the socket and touch one probe to the jumper. Step by step problem solving
 
ken ct said:
Hi John,when are you leaving for England??? ken ct.:)
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Will be leaving on Sept. 8th. I'm still planning to pick up our Pilot parts and bring them back with me. God willing, I will deliver to Hershey. Still hoping to find a space in Green or Choc. fields. John
 
If you got out of a newer automobile with halogen lights, and got in the old Ford, you would think those 6 volt bulbs were getting dimmer. Is this a possibility? marv
 
oldskool said:
i think the headlight bulbs get dimmer with age, the reflector inside get darker and age, .JMO
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The bulbs themselves will not dim noticeably with age. They put out almost the same light continuously until they burn out. The reflectors certainly will dim over time.
 
oldford2 said:
I assume you are talking sealed beams. If so the reflectors should not change. The simplest/surest way is to remove the headlight rim and remove the bulb. Then connect 2 jumper wires, one to the ground prong and one to the other. If it appears brighter then when in the car, then you have a wiring problem. Now that you have the bulb out you can check the voltage at the socket. If it is not 6 volts then it must be a poor ground or poor wiring. Get a jumper to a good ground and insert one probe of you volt meter in the socket and touch one probe to the jumper. Step by step problem solving
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I just check the voltage and found that I am only getting 5.34 volts between the socket and ground. (I get that also if I go between the socket grd and lamp prong too). So I am going to look at the switch and wire next.

Thanks all.
 
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