Have any of you tried the halogen 6 volt headlights? Or halogen 12 volt headlights?

There is a pair of 7" halogen 6 volt headlights on eBay for 23.95 plus $21 shipping. They say these headlights work with the stock 6 volt generator without any issues.

Recommendations?

 

Abe,
I am running the 12v Halogens with a relay. I bought both from LMC (the only things that I ever bought from them). In a word, they are fantastic.
Being that I have a modern alternator I don't have load/voltage issues.

 

I bought that set from Ebay- from "Octane Lighting"- 6 Volt halogen sealed beam.
They are a noticeable improvement over the Wagner sealed beams and work just fine with the stock 35 watt generator. Still a bit dim at idle -500 rpm- with the heater on though.

 

I have also been considering the 6-volt halogen headlights. My electrical system is stock. It's been a while since I have driven my truck with the headlights lights on. Do the standard sealed-beam filament lights also dim at low rpm with other electrical components running (wipers, heater fan,etc.) or is this dimming particular to the halogen?

 

Yes. All lights dim.
The generator can't keep up with demand at idle.
It's fine once your moving again and the engine rpm is up a bit...

 

The voltage regulator cutout completely removes the generator from the circuit (to prevent battery backfeed); just so there's no confusion, that's how they work. That's why the lights dim.

The ignition, lights and accessories, (close to 30 amps) everything - are running completely on the battery at this point, the cutout relay trips around 1300 (generator) RPM. This is why a battery of sufficient Ah capacity (not just CCA) is essential. A defective battery, or one not sized correctly will get smoked quick. This is a major difference between alternators and generators and one reason they were superseded. Short trips and stop and go must have been rough "back in the day". Generators do not lend themselves to much above 5000 RPM either, hot rodders were among the earliest adopters of alternator technology.

You can use Halogen lamps trouble-free with a generator (At least I have done so with a 12 volt system for many years) but all the wiring and ground connections better be good or the switches and things will roast and start flickering. In fact that will probably happen anyway whether halogens are used or not, the corrosion (or paint) causes high resistance.

 

I love learning new things, and the voltage regulator has always been a little confusing to me. Thank you Ted.

 

I put 6V halogen bulbs in all the drivable 6V Fords in the family. For a while the 6V halogen sealed beams were available from NAPA, part number H6006.

 

Abe,
As a follow up to my previous post I looked up the LMC lights that I think are fantastic. They are advertised as 50 state legal, are only available in 12v and the price is $34.95 each. With the relays/harness it is a $100 upgrade and in my experience, well worth it.

 

Thanks for all the advice guys. I think I will call NAPA first and see if they have them and see their price. Then buy them from NAPA or the ebay guy.

 

I called NAPA today. The guy on the phone said he could get that part number but he wasn't sure that it was 6 volt. He read me all the info with that part number and no where did it say 6 volt. So before I order them i want to be sure. I have to pay for them before they get them in from another warehouse in Ohio. The good thing is that they are only 12.99 each which the ones on ebay are $23.95 and 21.20 shipping. http://www.ebay.com/itm/370542819946?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

Your NAPA guy should look at his own website: NAPA AUTO PARTS

Under "Important Information:" it states "w/ 6 Volt System"

 

What Fred said:




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Package





Part Number: LMP H6006
Product Line: NAPA Lamps



Attributes:Bulb Lumens Rating : Approx. Max Candle Power Primary
Bulb Type : PAR 56 Bulb 7" (178 mm) Dia
Lamp Candle Power : Approx. Max Candle Power Primary
Overall Diameter : 178 mm
Headlamp Bulb Candle Power Rating : Approx. Max Candle Power Primary
Headlamp Bulb Type : PAR 56 Bulb 7" (178 mm) Dia

Warranty:
Warranty PDF

Important Information:w/ 6 Volt System
Have questions about this item?

 

Thanks guys. I will order a pair on Monday!

 

Glad this thread popped up. I'm fairly certain someone put 12v halogens in my truck before I got it. Even at speed, and the generator charging like it should, I have very dim output.

If you want to save even a couple more dollars, check amazon:
11.23 w/free shipping

Question though. These should fit my 55 right? Amazon says it won't but I've found that to be inconsistent with this old truck.