Headlight Reflectors

Cape Codder

Cape Codder

Well-known member
I'm considering changing the light reflectors and installing Halogen Headlight Bulbs. My questions are is the aluminum plated reflectors worth the added cost? Also will the Halogen Headlight Bulbs work well with a generator?
Thanks for your time.
Joe Grobleski
Cape Cod
 
Those new reflectors have better reflective power than silvered reflectors; they also don't tarnish like silver; as long as you are not going to show your car I believe the added cost is worth it.

Ron
 
I f I remember correctly it's been posted here that repros do not have the correct curvature, hence focusing problems.
Paul in CT
 
if you are going with the aluminum, have some original reflectors plated. The repops have an incorrect parabolic curve and will not focus properly. Focus is just as important as reflectivity. I have heard there are halogens available now that will operate on a generator, but I do not see them in any catalogs I have. Most catalogs recommend an alternator with quartz bulbs.

You might be pleasantly surprised how bright a 32cp filament bulb is with a good, ground, good reflector and properly focused. I have silver reflectors, 6 volts and 32/32 bulbs and they are plenty bright for my aged eyes. I have found the 50/32 bulbs burn out too quickly. Why not get some good reflectors, and (most importantly) insure you have good ground contact from the bulb at every point along the way to the ground terminal on the battery, then try a filament and see how you like it. With 6 volt systems, every contact point must be clean and tight to get good light. That means cleaning the headlight, socket, the adjusting screw and its seat in the bucket, the bucket base and the socket it fits on the light bar, the bolt and nut contacts on the fender brace at the bar and frame, and a clean contact from the frame to the battery terminal.
 
I am one that bought the kit from either Bratton's or Snyder's, that came with everything...new reflectors, bulbs, etc. I have had them for about 4 years now and wouldn't go back for anything......they really light up the road. You absolutely will need an alternator (60 amp), which I also installed...I stayed with 6 v.
I believe that these use the quartz halogen bulbs instead of just halogen, which is what the lower powered ones use that will work with a generator, but from what I have heard they are not the same output.
I have read also about the curvature not being right, but can only say that mine work great and lay down a very impressive beam of light.
 
You can also have your reflectors replated and will be the correct curvature, but it is rather expensive compared to newer ones in catlalgues that are not quite correct. The good connections and grounds are a must. You can also purchase Bulb #170-755H which is a 35/35Wt 6V bulb that requires no modification to the reflector from Little British Car Co.
 
Let's say you did want to have the originals resilvered, who does that? I have heard that there is someone in Oregon?
 
31Tudor said:
Let's say you did want to have the originals resilvered, who does that? I have heard that there is someone in Oregon?
Click to expand...

The place in Oregon is probably UVIRA, (541) 474-5050. They do aluminum coating (which is what I am going to use on original reflectors, check them out in the archives). Try a local plater for silver, if they don't do it they can send you to someone that can. A lot of people in the antique business resilver mirrors so you might get a recommendation from someone that refurbishes antiques.

Charlie Stephens
 
Ron in Quincy said:
Those new reflectors have better reflective power than silvered reflectors; they also don't tarnish like silver; as long as you are not going to show your car I believe the added cost is worth it.

Ron
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It is my understanding that the reflecting power of aluminum is slightly less than silver but as you say they don't tarnish.

Charlie Stephens
 
31Tudor said:
Let's say you did want to have the originals resilvered, who does that? I have heard that there is someone in Oregon?
Click to expand...

Brinkman's in St Paul resilvers them for $55 each the last I heard.

Brinkman Service Company
286 Snelling Ave. S.
St. Paul, MN 55105

651-695-2307
 
Cape Codder said:
I'm considering changing the light reflectors and installing Halogen Headlight Bulbs. My questions are is the aluminum plated reflectors worth the added cost? Also will the Halogen Headlight Bulbs work well with a generator?
Thanks for your time.
Joe Grobleski
Cape Cod
Click to expand...

My questions are is the aluminum plated reflectors worth the added cost?

Yes, if you use original reflectors.

Also will the Halogen Headlight Bulbs work well with a generator?

These will;

http://www.classicandvintagebulbs.com/page2.html

Barry B. /Ma posted this about his experences with the new halogen and reflectors sold by the vendors.

http://fordbarn.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5527&postcount=3
 
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I think the plating in sealed beam, and non-sealed modern headlight bulbs is aluminum. Stay away from chrome which if I remember correctly, only has about 65% of the reflective power of silver, plus is illegal (chrome) I believe in most states, to be used as plating in head light used for illumination at night.
 
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I have new aluminized reflectors that I bought from Brattons with std. bulbs on my 29 and I find they are pretty good at night using a stock generator. I had new reflectors with built in halogen bubs on my sedan and they were extremly bright but had to use an alternator.
 
In volume 4 issue 4 of the Model A Times we covered installing the halogen bulbs that will use the original sockets. The advantage to these you retain the ability to focus the bulb to the lens. In the article we utilized the test equipment that checks the beam spread and out put of the headlight that is required by the state of California. Our reflectors were silvered originals.
 
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