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Discussion Topic:
12V taillight in 6V car
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w1spurgeon |
01-05-2010 @ 3:23 PM
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New Member
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I ordered a new left taillight for my '36 Sedan and when it came ir was labeled "12V". Can I use this if I change the bulb to a 6V?
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1934 Ford |
01-05-2010 @ 6:57 PM
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Good question, some of the really sharp electrical guys can answer for sure, but I see two problems. #1 Will the 6 Volt bulb have the same pin configuration as the 12V and if so will that pin alignment have maximum 6Vcandel power? #2. I would think the pig tail wires would 18g and be to small as to work the tail light properly. At least I make a new heavier wire pig tail with 14g wire. OK, Guru's what's the verdict?
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trjford8 |
01-05-2010 @ 7:41 PM
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You should be able to just change the bulb.The pig tail wires may or may not be the correct gauge wire.It depends on who made the repo light. As long as the wires going to the light are the correct 14 ga. you will be fine. If the light appears dim after you make the connections check to make sure you have a good ground.
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TomO |
01-07-2010 @ 9:01 AM
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Y n Z sells a socket repair kit with the correct gauge wire for 6 volts. Call them and see if they will provide the kit with the correct bullet connectors and length of wire for your car. Here is a link to their site. http://www.ynzyesterdaysparts.com/catalog/
Tom
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supereal |
01-07-2010 @ 9:28 AM
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A better idea is to replace the bulb with an LED type. They draw little current, so the wire size isn't an issue, and they produce more light than halogens, which draw lots of amps. See them on page 173 of the C&G catalog. Stock tail and stop lights are dangerous today, as they become virtually invisible in daylight.
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flatheadfan |
01-07-2010 @ 1:25 PM
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Personally, I am not sold on LED bulbs especially in an old car that often have their tail light placements rather low on the vehicle. I have used them and in my opinion they are a waste of money. The disadvantages are many. First they are very directional. Meaning , unless you are looking directly at them you don't get the affect. It is like a rifle shooting a bullet. Unless, you are directly in line with the barrel there is no physical affect. Whereas, an incandescent bulb behaves as a shotgun. It gives a wide spray of light which is visible from several angles. Second, the LED for stop lights require a super-sensitive brake light switch to activate. I (and others) have found the "normal" hydraulic brake switch doesn't work reliably with a replacement LED bulb on early Ford applications. Third, the bulb color is critical. If the light is going to go through a red lens (such as a stop light) the bulb color must harmonize with the lens meaning red lens require red LED. This is not a problem with the right tail light but doesn't work well on your left light which (on many models) must also serve as a tail light and a license plate illuminator. which requires a white light. Finally, as tail lights, I didn't find the LED lights any brighter than my regular bulbs. However, as pointed out, the one good thing about LED bulbs is the power draw is virtually nil. This is the LED bulb source I used: http://www.superbrightleds.com/other_bulbs.htm As a "third light" this is a source I used on my Model A and my '50 pickup: http://www.jandlenterprise.com/products/products.htm Hope this helps. Tom
This message was edited by flatheadfan on 1-7-10 @ 1:26 PM
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supereal |
01-07-2010 @ 3:22 PM
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Tom: I've had better luck than that with LED's. A couple of years ago I installed a "third" stoplight atop my rear license plate that is very bright, even in full sun. There is a big difference in LED lights, as we have found in our shop. If they are slow to come on, it is usually due to a mismatch between the operating voltage of the vehicle and the resistor bank in series with the LED, or switch contacts that have been immersed in brake fluid. I tried halogen lights all around in my '47, and found them to be little, if any, brighter, but they did draw lots of current. We now have 12 volt LED headlights showing up in trucks, and when the 6 volt variety becomes available, I'll be at the head of the line. Half or more of the newer cars now feature LED tail and stop lights, and when prices come down on LED incandescent replacement, I suspect we will be seeing the end of common bulbs in all applications.
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JIMMY46COUPE |
01-07-2010 @ 5:32 PM
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Supereal I did the same third brake light on my licease plate (homemade) I have a 6 volt system but I added a 12 volt battery in the trunk for all my 12volt accesories.I'm running a pair of very thin LED fog lamps hidden deep in my grill and I turn those on at night when driving for extra safety.Also I have a 12 outlet under the rear seat for anything I need 12 volt. The third brake light is just a manual homemade job with a pushbutton switch that I press when I know traffic is behind. It works great in day and night(bright) Sometimes I real presses to make sure people know I'm breaking( The battery is hidden in a battery case that's in a old box that looks like travel luggage. I get alot of compliments on that luggage display... I tought these things would take away the look but you know safety is more important and if I ever sell the car it all can come off with no problem. Here are some pics....Happy New Year....JIMMY46COUPE JIMMY46COUPE
This message was edited by JIMMY46COUPE on 1-7-10 @ 5:50 PM
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JIMMY46COUPE |
01-07-2010 @ 5:39 PM
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How do ya post more than one photo
This message was edited by JIMMY46COUPE on 1-7-10 @ 5:43 PM
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JIMMY46COUPE |
01-07-2010 @ 5:52 PM
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Pic 2
JIMMY46COUPE
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