LED head lights

L

lorenallen

Junior Member
I just installed a new wiring hardness in my 31 Cabriolet and at the same time I installed LED head lights. Last night I drove the car for about 40 miles in the dark and the LED lights performed very well. The high beams seem to work very well and light up the road better directly in front of the car. These install directly into the original sockets and this makes it very easy. My car is 12 volt negative ground if this makes any difference, so I order the 12 volt LEDs. I just thought I would pass on this information.
 
30 Closed Cab PU said:
This is what I found at Brattons online.


https://www.brattons.com/led-headlight-bulb.html


If you buy/try them, please post a review. I have the logolites, but am on lookout for something that focuses better.
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I allready have led parking lites -- just ordered the head lamps. PM your email and I'll send pictures of what the parking lites look like. I've never figured out how to post pictures. The parking lites are really bright, I run them more to mark my presentsThans
 
the LED head light bulbs are part #17994 and they cost $29.95 each. I replaced the reflectors, sockets, connectors, gaskets, focus spring and screw - everything for the head lights and it gets a little expensive but I am glad to have everything installed as it should be for the first time since I have owned the model A. The headlight terminal ends ( 3 on each side) are a challenge to solder in and keep all wires exactly the same length.
 
rfitzpatrick said:
I allready have led parking lites -- just ordered the head lamps. PM your email and I'll send pictures of what the parking lites look like. I've never figured out how to post pictures. The parking lites are really bright, I run them more to mark my presentsThans
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Am only interested in the headlights, have converted to all LED. But like I said, keeping my eyes open for reports of focusable headlights, the logos do not focus well.
 
Has anyone found a LED parking bulb that works with 2 bumps on the bulb?

All the leds I tried are too long and hit the glass. I use the lamps for both parking and directionals.
 
There is no question that these are NOT ready for model a's at all, They are NOT focusable and cannot be aimed correctly, There is no high beam it is only a bright beam with more filaments, there have been extensive reviews on these and you can see them on the vintage ford forum. They only spread the light same as an LED in your backyard...it only lightens the area and not the direction you drive....I have done an extensive experiment on these IMHO..
 
It can be made to work, I have idea, but not much incentive, it will be more $$ than most will be willing to spend, but my now headlight project is playing with HID bulbs, they will focus with original reflector
 
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Just purchased a set of LED's headlights and new harness set from Snyder's.
Just purchased a set of new reflectors from Bratton's.

The 6 volt Halogen set I have been using for the last 15 years has melted the bulb plug resulting in arcing of the contacts about 4 times over this period. This spring, both left and right are in need of replacement again on my Phaeton. I thought I would try the LED's...If they don't work, Ill buy another set of plugs for the Halogen bulbs.
The only plugs available now are made from a "plastic" and do not handle the heat produced from the 6 volt Halogen bulbs. I used to purchase the "Bakelite" like plugs and they would last twice as long. Cannot find them anymore at NAPA.


Good Day!
 
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I use the direct fit halogens with original sockets---- I did rewire with heavier gauge aircraft wire, 45 years ago, no socket melting in 15 years of halogen use

I suspect you have H4 bulbs , they can be higher amperage, ---- I will look in some benz headlights to see what they used for sockets with h4 bulbs
 
Kurt in NJ said:
I use the direct fit halogens with original sockets---- I did rewire with heavier gauge aircraft wire, 45 years ago, no socket melting in 15 years of halogen use

I suspect you have H4 bulbs , they can be higher amperage, ---- I will look in some benz headlights to see what they used for sockets with h4 bulbs
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Are you using 6 volt or 12 volt. The amp draw is about double on the 6 volt...causing the melting. (I purchase the 6 volt Halogen bulbs from Snyder's...I have not looked at the manufacturer.) I have a set of 12 volt Halogen on my other car and have had no trouble with them.

Thanks for commenting!
Good Day!
 
old31 said:
Has anyone found a LED parking bulb that works with 2 bumps on the bulb? All the leds I tried are too long and hit the glass. I use the lamps for both parking and directionals.
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Look for 8- or 12-segment (SMD) bulbs. The 8 is about the size of a G6
incandescent (2-6 CP) The 12 is a bit of a squeeze, but will fit the cowl lamp.

scokeing said:
I order these to try, can’t vouch for their fit yet however the dimensions show they should

https://www.ledlight.com/g18-s25-6-24v-non-polarity.aspx
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Those bulbs fit, but that's all. No focus, no low beam. Just bright and brighter.

The ones from dynamo old31 mentions seem to be the best, but in another thread Karl said they wouldn't pass local inspection in NZ.
 
I have 6 volt system, perhaps the oversized wire is protective of the sockets, I think it is 12 gauge, I don't think high wattages are needed if the bulb/ reflector/lens match, I have been studying different headlights, and will try some HID bulbs, the Mercedes headlight without lens is H4, it has a plastic connecter, and it has not been a problem, looking at the reflector for the H4 it has 2 different curves. The center1/2 is for the high beam, the outer area for low beam, the shield on the bulb only allowing light to go to the upper part ---- I have concluded that the H4 bulb is not suitable to original reflector

I have a "order" in with some local body shops to get some factory led headlights to study
 

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