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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Dim tail lights

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Discussion Topic: Dim tail lights -- page: 1 2

daoust

11-18-2011 @ 3:19 PM

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I have a 1947 Ford convertible. Still on 6 volt. The problem is my tailights seem very dim. This is (as you mighht expect) much more of a problem during daylight hours. One person suggested converting to LED lights. Another suggested using reflective paint inside the taillight housing to throw more lioght through them lens.

Any suggestions from an EFV8 veteran? Thanks.

David Daoust

alanwoodieman

11-18-2011 @ 4:07 PM

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first make sure you have a good ground, even run a ground wire from the housing back to the frame, clean off all paint. next paint the inside with white or silver paint, I like the white porcelon refrigerator paint and check to see what candle power bulbs you. I did this on my 40 and sure made a difference

shogun1940

11-18-2011 @ 4:09 PM

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check the voltage at the base, if that is 6v then check the ground side, run a jumper wire for a ground right to the bat. see if they brighten up. I paint the iside of the receptical with gloss white paint, al paint fade after awhile hope this gives you a place to start

51f1

11-19-2011 @ 5:20 AM

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If your electrical system is up to snuff, you shouldn't have a problem with tail light brightness. Do what alanwoodieman suggests with the ground wire. Check grounds and clean the wiring connections. What about your light switch? If you are talking about stop lights, check the stop light switch. If both stop and tail lights are dim, I'd bet it's poor grounding.

Richard

supereal

11-19-2011 @ 11:34 AM

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I own a '47 convertible, too. The tail lights were always a problem, as they are very small, and the glass lenses are thick, restricting the amount of light. I've tried the foil and white paint in the housings, and the "bright" bulbs with little improvement. Even at night, they are dim, and impossible to see in the daylight. Halogen bulbs draw more current than the light guage wire can supply. The answer appears to be LED bulbs, now becoming available, although fairly expensive. I mounted an LED light bar on the top of my license place that really solves the problem.

40cpe

11-19-2011 @ 1:21 PM

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Super, I've been looking for a third brake light that is known to be bright/effective AND could be adapted to the tag top. Do you have the source for that light?
Thanks, Gene

Old Henry

11-19-2011 @ 3:45 PM

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I don't know of any 6 volt LED tail lights. I put in the halogen bulbs and they work great, even shine bright through my blue dots. Looks cool. (I did run 9 gauge wire from the battery, through the brake light switch, to the brake lights to light those bright things up.) Get the halogen bulbs here: http://macsautoparts.com/early-v8-tail-light-bulb-offset-double-contact-50-20-candlepower-6-volt-halogen-ford-v13465fh6/camid/F30/cp/JS0R3CHL1113361/

Old Henry
(The older I get, the better old looks.)

Old Henry

11-19-2011 @ 9:53 PM

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You can get a third brake light that's LED here http://macsautoparts.com/early-v8-third-brake-light-assembly-brushed-billet-aluminum-with-high-intensity-led-12-volt-systems-only-ford-sr13405z/camid/F30/cp/JS0R3CHL1105282/ but, it requires 12 volts.

Here's one for 6 volt: http://macsautoparts.com/early-v8-led-back-window-light-6-volt-positive-red-led-light-for-flat-back-window-only-ford-sr13401led6/camid/F30/cp/JS0R3CHL1129508/

And the braket that mounts it to the rear slanted window: http://macsautoparts.com/early-v8-third-brake-light-bracket-sr13401bkt/camid/F30/cp/JS0R3CHL1140587/

Or, if you really want to be sneaky and have a 47-48, you can get this trunk ornament that lights up the "Ford" on it with LEDs for a third brake light. Cool. (for 12 volt only) http://macsautoparts.com/early-v8-trunk-lid-led-emblem-stainless-steel-lighted-ford-script-12-volt-ford-6a-7042514-led/camid/F30/cp/JS0R3CHL1140618/

Old Henry
(The older I get, the better old looks.)

This message was edited by Old Henry on 11-19-11 @ 10:05 PM

daoust

11-20-2011 @ 3:30 AM

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Old Henry, I found this for 6 volt LEDs. Any opinions?

http://www.highspeedmotors.com/Webled.html

David Daoust

daoust

11-20-2011 @ 3:34 AM

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Thank you Supereal. I like that idea. Any idea where I can get one? Also, I'd love to see more picurtes of your 47.

Thanks again.

David Daoust

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