Headlight Bulbs

[Cape Codder]

Having read and not wanting to jump into the thread "Hydro dipping headlight reflectors?" I have a question about the bulbs of the head lights.

I presently have the reflectors sold by Brattons that a lot of people have raved about. QUESTION? When installing the bulbs does the bigger/longer filament go to the top or bottom?

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

The upper is the dim, as it directs the light more downward. Dim should be a finer filament and a bit longer.

 

[Cape Codder]

Strangely enough I would have thought just the opposite.
The LARGE filament on the top and being the HIGH beam.

Thanks for the info Tom and I will change my tomorrow.

 

[C26Pinelake]

can we have another opinion? It has previously been stated different. Wayne

 

[SeaSlugs]

Yup Tom is right, think of the filament on one end of a teeter totter and the lens on the other with an invisible pivot point in between - filament moves down light goes up, filament goes up light goes down.

 

[KGBnut]

It can be a pain to remember. I have gotten in the habit of labeling my bulbs (and all my many spares) with TOP written in Sharpie on the base. Otherwise, whenever I take them apart I end up spending time trying to remember which way they go back in.

Ken

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

It can be a pain to remember. I have gotten in the habit of labeling my bulbs (and all my many spares) with TOP written in Sharpie on the base. Otherwise, whenever I take them apart I end up spending time trying to remember which way they go back in.

Ken

I have at least a couple old bulbs that have the TOP marked base from the factory.

 

[Special Coupe Frank]

The original 1110 bulbs 32-32 CP bulbs have two identical filaments (both are pointed), one is mounted slightly off-center (Low Beam). The off-center filament should be towards the top of the reflector when locked in place. As mentioned, these bulbs have the word "TOP" rubber-stamped on the lamp shell.

If you're using the modern 50-32 CP bulb, the thin flat filament goes on top, and heavier, pointed filament should be on bottom, at center of reflector.

I went back to using the 1110 32-32 CP bulbs, as they seem to last longer.

 

[Mike V. Florida]

...

 

[Motorhead327]

I have avoided the bulb filament question by replacing my headlamps with acetylene headlights from a 1909 Brush.