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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Dim Headlamps

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Discussion Topic: Dim Headlamps

supereal

03-22-2022 @ 12:14 PM

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Posts: 6819
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We use two starter solenoids as relays, one for high beam, the other for low beams. They are powered directly from the battery and inserted into the headlight circuits at the left front under the hood. I think I posted this a while back. It restores headlamps to like new brightness, a "must" if you are driving at night.

carcrazy

03-21-2022 @ 3:19 PM

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Once you have verified that you have your 6V electrical system operating as efficiently as possible, another thing you can do to maximize the brightness of your 6V headlights is to install a Headlight Relay.

Relays and information on installing them are available from:

https://www.fifthaveinternetgarage.com/

TomO

03-21-2022 @ 7:59 AM

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You can easily determine if you have a grounding problem by connecting the + lead of your meter to the grounded terminal of the batter and the COM lead of your meter to the ground terminal of the headlight bulb. Turn on the lights and read you meter. The reading should be 0.1V or less.

The most common source of dim headlights is low voltage or old headlight bulbs. Low voltage is usually caused by a corroded dimmer switch or loose bullet connectors. You need at least 5.8V at the bulb to get maximum brightness with the engine not running. That will give you more than 6.5V when driving.

Loos bullet connectors can be found by turning on the headlights and feeling each connector for the headlights. A corroded or loose connector will be hot. Operate you dimmer switch many times to see if that improves your lights. If it does, replace your dimmer switch.

Tom

37RAGTOPMAN

03-21-2022 @ 7:42 AM

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hi AL
how long have you owned the 41 ? just bought it ?
Pop out the headlights, and run a seperate ground wire directly to the battery, to see if the lights get brighter
and make sure you have 6 VOLT SEAL BEAM bulbs,
if the light get brighter by using jumper wires,
make up new ground wire, directly to the back of the SEAL BEAMS
run them to the chassis directly, and make sure the
GROUND CABLE is from the body to chassis, in clean anb good condition,
it is most likely loose or corroded ground wiring,
also how old is the wiring ?
hope this helps 37Ragtopman

This message was edited by 37RAGTOPMAN on 3-24-22 @ 5:54 AM

dwfcherry@yahoo.com

03-20-2022 @ 12:53 PM

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Good to know this is not normal. I will start hunting. Thanks

Al Cherry

Carcheologist

03-20-2022 @ 12:46 PM

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First place to start troubleshooting is check ALL of your ground connections from the battery to the body/frame as well as the battery terminals themselves. Make sure they are clean, shiny metal with no paint or rust present. Confirm they are tight with no looseness. Also check all the wiring going to all the lights to make sure they are in good condition with solid connections. Poor ground connections will cause you lights to burn dimly. A worn out headlight switch can also create high resistance and cause the lights to be dim...check your headlight switch and dimmer switch on the floor.

dwfcherry@yahoo.com

03-20-2022 @ 12:29 PM

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I have a 41 pickup with 6 volt positive ground system. My headlamps are dim (orange color). Headlamps are sealed Wagner 40/50W. Is this normal or should I be looking for the cause? The OHMS meter reads 10 off the battery and 5 at the lamp when on. Any help will be appreciated.

Al Cherry

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