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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Dim 6V headlights

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Posted By Discussion Topic: Dim 6V headlights     Dream38v8 07-25-2016 @ 5:35 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 177 Joined: May 2016 Great response. My wife mentions the same thing to me often. Read the instructions / book. I've skimmed through the manual, but not with anything in mind. Adjustments are listed under "Lights" and not "Headlights". Anyway I found the page. Seems very easy. One problem is the passenger side screw holding the rim seems to be stripped. Minor issue, but on path to align headlights. Thanks MG Ray MG 07-24-2016 @ 9:12 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1254 Joined: Nov 2009 Do you have a Owners Manual/Reference Book? The owners manual I have for my '37 shows/tells how to adjust the headlamps.... Dream38v8 07-24-2016 @ 7:03 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 177 Joined: May 2016 I believe I am a novice and not a new owner. I was reading through a basic book on the '38. I discover I had the parking lights on and not the headlights. The dims are dim and the brights are good. The problem is the brights are aiming high and not on the road. My new question now is how do I adjust the lights to hit the road? Ray TomO 07-22-2016 @ 6:47 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7250 Joined: Oct 2009 The most common reason for dim lights is low voltage to the bulbs. The most common source of resistance that drops the voltage in the headlight circuit is the dimmer switch. I have seen dimmer switches drop as much as 1.5 volts when the headlights are on. The best way to isolate the problem is to do a voltage drop test, with the headlights on. Connect the COM lead of a reliable volt meter to the NEG battery post and use a thin paper clip to probe inside the connector to the right headlight. You should read less than 0.5 volts on the meter. If you read more than that, operate the dimmer switch many times and re-check. The voltage that you read should decrease in value. If it is still above 0.5 volts, move the probe back one connection at a time. If you see a reading change of more than 0.1 volt, the previous connection is bad, clean and repair and repeat the tests. If the dimmer switch is still the culprit, remove it, disassemble it and clean the contacts with an electronic cleaner. I like Radio Shacks Tuner Cleaner and Lubricant. It works great for the bulb contacts also. You can use bulb grease to lube the switch. If you have less than 0.5 volts and your lights are still dim, you can check the ground connection by connecting the + or POS lead of your meter to the POS terminal of the battery and probe the light bulb base. You should read less than 0.1 volts. A higher reading means a poor grounding connection. This method gives accurate results, even with a low battery. If you have good voltage to the wires going to the head light and a good ground, but still have dim lights, try changing the bulb and cleaning the bulb and socket contacts. Tom This message was edited by TomO on 7-22-16 @ 6:51 AM fordv8j 07-21-2016 @ 12:02 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 176 Joined: Jan 2015 Like mentioned you may have a ground problem,this would take some work,this is what I did,while restoring our 38conv.I welded a small bolt inside the headlight bucket,then soldered a ground wire to the edge of reflector,soldered an end on the wire put on bolt added lock washer and nut, tightened,,,,lights are pretty good len47merc 07-21-2016 @ 10:36 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1165 Joined: Oct 2013 There is a vast amount of information on this Forum on this subject. I did a search for the keywords 'dim headlights' for the period in the past 'ALL' and several discussion threads immediately come up. Below is just one of several: http://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=16&Topic=8888&keywords=dim%20headlights I'd recommend you read through all the threads but to summarize it all up in a nutsh*ll - a PROPERLY and EFFECTIVELY grounded and functioning 6V pos ground electrical SYSTEM will generate more than adequate headlight brightness with stock bulbs. Changing over to 12V or halogen before addressing the issue head on and achieving maximum brightness with your stock 6V system and headlights will only mask the problem and you'll end up chasing it down the road, and as pauls39coupe says opens a whole new can of worms in addition to the problems you already have. Focus on grounds, grounds and more grounds, then follow TomO's advice on troubleshooting electrical systems and connections. You'll be amazed how bright 6V lights can be. Having previously been where you are I can affirm this to be the case. Steve This message was edited by len47merc on 7-21-16 @ 10:42 AM Dream38v8 07-21-2016 @ 10:30 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 177 Joined: May 2016 Thanks. My expectations are low as I also have a '63 F100 (no power brakes, steering plus 3 speed on tree). I will check on ground plus clean the reflective back. Additionally I've ordered new bulbs. Ray pauls39coupe 07-21-2016 @ 10:18 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 205 Joined: Jul 2014 Welcome to the fun World of Ford V-8's. Be prepared to adjust your expectations concerning lights, brakes, horsepower and ride comfort. These cars are approaching 80 years old and the technology does not come anywhere near your modern car. The lights will appear a bit dim and the brakes won't stop like power discs. That said you should check the reflectors in your head lights. They were originally silver plated which is probably tarnished and in need of polishing. Change the bulbs, as they are likely nearing the end of their useful life. Most important clean all the grounding surfaces around the headlight and tail light rims. You may need to run an additional ground wire from the light fixtures to the frame if rust or excess paint is present. Personally I would not use Halogen bulbs, as the wattage draw is too high for the early Ford generators, and some do not have the correct focal length to work with your 1938 head light reflectors. Changing to a 12v system just opens a whole new can of worms if not done correctly. Properly setup your original lights should give you plenty of light for driving a reasonable speed. CharlieStephens 07-21-2016 @ 10:07 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 888 Joined: Oct 2009 First, how do they compare with other 6 volt headlights you have seen? If they are not as bright or have a soft glow to them you probably have a ground problem. Run a temporary jumper wire between the headlight reflector and the ground and the battery and see if they get brighter. Is is correct to assume you are talking about your '38 Ford and that it has stock bulbs? Charlie Stephens This message was edited by CharlieStephens on 7-21-16 @ 10:09 AM Dream38v8 07-21-2016 @ 9:49 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 177 Joined: May 2016 Without converting to 12V what can I do increase the power of 6V headlights? Saturday was the first time I had the car out at dark. If it wasn't for street lights it would have been pitch black. Ray

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