Park light question
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Jim/GA
Well-known member
Yes, they had Park, built into the single headlight bulb. It was a 21/3 cp bulb. And they used the "fluted lenses" (vertical lines on the lens).
They basically had High beam headlights, 21 candlepower, when you move the headlight switch one click to the right, and 3 cp Parking lights in the same bulb when you move the headlight switch one click to the left.
The horn rod switch lever up at the steering wheel was labeled ON - OFF - DIM. See page 8-6 of the Restoration Guidelines for a picture of the top of the horn rod.
They basically had High beam headlights, 21 candlepower, when you move the headlight switch one click to the right, and 3 cp Parking lights in the same bulb when you move the headlight switch one click to the left.
The horn rod switch lever up at the steering wheel was labeled ON - OFF - DIM. See page 8-6 of the Restoration Guidelines for a picture of the top of the horn rod.
Joe K
Well-known member
Two wires to the bulb, two filaments in the bulb, two contacts on the bulb base.
IIRC The "plug-in" style switch was obsoleted in March 1928. May '28 would have had a "bulb" shaped switch but only left/center/right position. The switches can be identified as they have two small "dimples" one on each side (not the dimple/groove that holds the switch cover together.) And they have four contact brushes.
The problem for accurate restorers is the wire harness is specific for this Model A. One has to take the later "Twolight" harness/round plate and do a bit of resoldering - and fully understand how the four contacts of the rotating switch contact the round end of the harness.
You can use the later three contact switch/"twolight" wire harness/plate - you'll just have an "extra" switch position - not used.
Joe K
IIRC The "plug-in" style switch was obsoleted in March 1928. May '28 would have had a "bulb" shaped switch but only left/center/right position. The switches can be identified as they have two small "dimples" one on each side (not the dimple/groove that holds the switch cover together.) And they have four contact brushes.
The problem for accurate restorers is the wire harness is specific for this Model A. One has to take the later "Twolight" harness/round plate and do a bit of resoldering - and fully understand how the four contacts of the rotating switch contact the round end of the harness.
You can use the later three contact switch/"twolight" wire harness/plate - you'll just have an "extra" switch position - not used.
Joe K
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nkaminar
Well-known member
Here is some interesting useless information.
Very early cars, including Model T's, had a dim position on the light switch where the current was run through a resistor to lower the bulb output. That is where the "dim" nomenclature came from. Early RR had headlights that tilted down mechanically for low beam.
Very early cars, including Model T's, had a dim position on the light switch where the current was run through a resistor to lower the bulb output. That is where the "dim" nomenclature came from. Early RR had headlights that tilted down mechanically for low beam.
Jim/GA
Well-known member
No Low Beam. Just High Beam and Parking Light. A single bulb with 2 filaments, one filament for each intensity (3 cp and 21 cp). Both essentially in the focal point of the parabolic reflector of each headlight.
That's why Ford had to go to the later "TWOLITE" style headlight, where there are two 21 cp filaments in the bulb, one in the focal point for High Beam and one slightly off-center to give you a Low Beam that is aimed slightly down. So they added another bulb socket in the top of the reflector for the Parking Light.
Many states passed laws requiring new cars sold to have a dipped light for driving that did not dazzle the oncoming drivers.
There was no Federal rule making for automobiles. Every state regulated it themselves. Some states were more aggressive regarding cars sold in their state than others.