Post to the EFV-8 Forum
Post Classified Ads
Shop the Online Store

User Login

Not Registered Yet? Click Here to Sign Up!

Early Ford V-8 Club Forum

FORUM RULES: Users agree to these Rules when using Forum.

The site administrator reserves the right to change the terms and conditions of the user agreement without prior notice to the user. It is the responsibility of the user to regularly review the terms of this agreement.

The user agrees to the following terms:

All information that you provide to us for your membership is correct.
You will not use your membership to spam, harrass, or exploit other members in any way.
Vulgar, Abusive, Racist and Sexist Language will not be tolerated.
Commercial-type sales postings will not be allowed.
No mass posting or flooding of the boards is allowed.
No Advertising of parts or cars; no Ebay or business/commercial ads (please use the "Classified" for ads Wanted or For Sale).
VIEWING MULTIPLE TOPICS ON SCREEN: You can choose to see more than 10 Topics at a time ... Log In and choose "Preferences" from the top bar on the Forum page. Scroll down and Change the "Default Topics Returned" parameter to 25 or 50, and save the changes. Since this setting is stored in your browser 'cookies' (if enabled), it seems to use that stored value even if you are not logged in. So, if you use a PC that you haven't logged into the forum from, the setting still seem to remain at the default.
EXTERNAL PHOTO LINKS ON FORUM: You can still use external photo links in your posts on the new forum. They follow the rules of any link in that they have to have the URL link qualified down to the full image file name (example: .jpg). The links will open in a new browser window, the same as an uploaded image attached to a post. Since an image attachment to any post does not display inline with the post, the results are the same. You can use multiple external links within a post. This link is from photos on a site from Don Clink's 'Deuce@75' albums:

http://donclink.com/deuce_75_1/images/dscn2950.jpg

Using links from photo sites such as Photobucket can help in "size" issue with uploaded attachment files. For best viewing in web browsers, photos should be around the 800x600 pixel range, and probably not more than 1024x768. Most cameras today store HUGE jpg image files, as the default settings are in the 7, 8, 10, and 12Mb image sizes. The image files that are then attached are very large, and the browser can't display the full image size without using the scroll bars. Use the re-sizing functions of your photo editing software to reduce the image to 800x600, which reduces the file sixe and the image load time in the browser. Don uses Google's free Picassa3 software, which is an excellent photo management product. All of the photo albums of the Deuce, Grand National, and Auburn that are links on the NORG site were built using Picassa's web creation functions. And it's free? (THANKS to Don Clink for the info!)
HOW DO I SHOW MY EMAIL ADDRESS ALONG WITH MY USERNAME? You can LogIn on the Forum, and select PREFERENCES. On this page Members can add optional information such as their City,State, Country; Occupation; Hobbies: list a Homepage; list AOL Instant Messanger Handle; Signature; "Make Email Address viewable to others;" and even change the number of Default Topics shown on a page. WHEN others click on your profile, they will see this information.

EFV-8 Club Forum / General Mercury Discussion / 1946 Mercury

Reply to Discussion | New Discussion

<< previous || next >>

Posted By

Discussion Topic: 1946 Mercury -- page: 1 2

Peder D

08-20-2015 @ 5:10 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Oct 2009

Hey all! I'm having problems with my lighting. Weak headlights, taillights and worst of all weak brake lights. Requires stepping on pedal really hard for them to light up. I use the original 6-volt, all the wiring was replaced in 2005, and grounded well to the best of my knowledge. Possible "overlook"? I use the old style sealed beams. Brake switch replaced in 2005. Also installed after market turn signals incorporated in the original park and rear lights. They work well. Battery new in 2007. Charges and starts well. Any suggestions on an upgrade? Does anyone supply LED headlights and an extra stop light lamp for the 6-volt? Thinking of installing fog or driving lights, as lights must be lit up daytime as well in this country. Thanks, Peder

TomO

08-20-2015 @ 7:36 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 7250
Joined: Oct 2009

Hello Peder,

The most important part of getting brighter lights is getting the correct voltage to the bulbs. You need a minimum of 5.5 volts to get the correct brightness from the bulbs. Make sure that your battery is in good condition and that you have 6 Volt cables that are making good connections.

To test the battery, connect a good voltmeter across the battery posts (don't use the cable connections) and have someone push the starter button with the ignition switch off. Your meter should read 5.5 volts or more.

To test the cables and the connections, connect the POS or red lead of the meter to the battery connection at the starter solenoid and hold the COM or NEG meter lead on the NEG battery post. Press the starter button with the ignition off and read the meter. Your reading should be 0.1 V or less. If it is more, you have the wrong cables or poor connection.

Now that you know that the battery and cables are good, test the headlights.

To test the headlights for proper voltage, connect a good voltmeter COM lead to the NEG battery terminal and the POS lead to a headlight bulb wire. (A convenient place is the bullet connector where the headlight wiring goes through the fender. Straighten a paper clip and insert it in the rubber until it makes contact.) Turn on the headlights and read the meter, ir should be 0.5 or less. If it is more, press the foot dimmer switch several times and repeat the test. If it is not within specs now, you will have to move the POS lead back one connection at a time. each connection should lower the reading at least 0.05.

This outfit has a good 3rd brake light for your Mercury. LED tail light bulbs are also available.

http://www.watsons-streetworks.com/6-volt-led-3rd-brake-light

I think that your brake light switch is bad. I have had good luck with the NAPA switch P/N SL134. I believe that the European Ford vehicles used the same switch.

Tom

shogun1940

08-22-2015 @ 6:56 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 464
Joined: Feb 2010

i painted the whole insideof my housing white,,al paint dulls,also if can find old flashlgts and take out the reflector part and widen the hole to go around the base it helps. Check all the voltages but if all the lights are dim i would check the body to frame grounds

Peder D

08-23-2015 @ 12:02 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Oct 2009

Ok, thanks for your help...will look into all this...Peder

Peder D

08-23-2015 @ 8:10 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Oct 2009

What about using an 8 volt battery? LED headlights?

len47merc

08-23-2015 @ 1:38 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 1165
Joined: Oct 2013

Hello Peder - suggest you do a search on this forum for the last 365 days for '36 Ford Alternator & Halogen Bulbs', as well as other search words like 'dim lights', 'dim headlights', etc.. You will find extensive responses to your 8V, fog light, halogen (& possibly LED) questions.

IMHO, and repeating from other responses made on this forum, a properly grounded, charging and operating 6V system will produce more than adequate headlight & all other light brightness with standard, original incandescent bulbs. As you may see in your search, I have an original very early '47 Merc (most date codes from Dec '46) with lights brighter than a neighbor's converted-to-12 volt '54. If you can be patient and go through your system completely and resolve any and all grounding and/or charging issues you likely will not find the need to convert. Additionally, converting without finding the root cause of your current dim lights may likely leave you trouble-shooting your new lights down the line.

Steve

Peder D

08-24-2015 @ 1:00 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Oct 2009

Makes good sense, will be getting help to check out the whole system this week. Thanks.

ken ct.

08-24-2015 @ 3:10 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 1513
Joined: Jan 2010

Forget the 8V battery , you will have more problems than you have now. ken ct.

woodiewagon46

08-24-2015 @ 10:12 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 698
Joined: Nov 2012

Ron Francis, www.ronfrancis.com has 6 volt L.E.D. replacements. I think a clue to your taillight issue is where you state "requires stepping on pedal really hard". Your taillights should be bright no matter how hard you push down on the brake pedal. Also you state that your battery was replaced in 2007, it's 8 years old,I know it starts fine but it's time for a new one. I would do all of the above suggestions (except the 8V, the 6 volt system should be fine). I would check all the grounds first and wire brush or sand the connections.

Peder D

09-10-2015 @ 1:14 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Oct 2009

Hi again! Had an "electrician" check the battery voltage. All is well, and the battery is strong despite its age. His suggestion for better and brighter lights was to use a higher gauge wire. So we connected a 6mm gauge wire and the brake/turn signals became much brighter!!! Also suggested was to look into a 6 volt alternator. Any comments on replacing the generator with an alternator? I see Mac's has this alternator, but only up to 1939. Thanks, Peder

<< previous || next >>

PAGE: 1 2

NOTE: YOU MUST BE A REGISTERED USER AND BE LOGGED IN TO POST (and reply to) messages in this forum. If you are a first time user, please click the CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT in the masthead above to register and Log In. After that, all you do is LOG IN to enjoy using this site.

DISCLAIMER: The V-8 Club does no independent testing of any of the opinions, thoughts or suggestions presented in the website on the Forum, in the Tech Tips section, or any section. A reader should consider the website to be a forum wherein differing solutions to a particular set of circumstances may be discussed. Ultimately, the selection of an item for an individual's vehicle must be based upon the independent study of the vehicle owner in consultation with people in the hobby and restoration experts.

Early Ford V-8 Club Forum

Merchandise Questions

Membership Questions