LED headlights installed
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 763
From: Hillsborough NJ
I contacted customer service, yes I should be using a voltage stabilizer. It’s a whopping $2.44 each.
FYI, these bulbs will function at 5v to 30v, positive or negative ground. The brightness doesn’t change with voltage.
FYI, these bulbs will function at 5v to 30v, positive or negative ground. The brightness doesn’t change with voltage.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 763
From: Hillsborough NJ
It’s not a consistent flicker, it’s like a loose connection flickering from time to time. All connections tested. A it frustrating.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 467
From: Mason City, Iowa
I am thinking your voltage regulator might be causing this even though it IS working properly.
As it is controlling the charging current of the battery there are times the voltage regulator contacts are vibrating by opening and shuting 50+ times per second. There is almost a constant see-saw battle that is going on, between the full charged battery voltage and the charging current of the battery causing the contacts to slightly spark and buzz. The more load on the ignition voltage, the more this could happen. I could be wrong but I am thinking this will put noise on your 6 volt power supply. Some of it the battery filters out but some is still there. The LEDs are fast enough to detect it thus the flashing. How to get rid of it? I would try to find some condensors/capacitors to put across the headlight circuit. Even those radio supression style ones across your voltage regulator could help if you don't have those already. Back in the day they used them across anything that could create noise in a radio such as your voltage regulator, fuel level, oil pressue sender, etc. Just some thoughts anyway.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 763
From: Hillsborough NJ
Hi Bob!
I am thinking your voltage regulator might be causing this even though it IS working properly.
As it is controlling the charging current of the battery there are times the voltage regulator contacts are vibrating by opening and shuting 50+ times per second. There is almost a constant see-saw battle that is going on, between the full charged battery voltage and the charging current of the battery causing the contacts to slightly spark and buzz. The more load on the ignition voltage, the more this could happen. I could be wrong but I am thinking this will put noise on your 6 volt power supply. Some of it the battery filters out but some is still there. The LEDs are fast enough to detect it thus the flashing. How to get rid of it? I would try to find some condensors/capacitors to put across the headlight circuit. Even those radio supression style ones across your voltage regulator could help if you don't have those already. Back in the day they used them across anything that could create noise in a radio such as your voltage regulator, fuel level, oil pressue sender, etc. Just some thoughts anyway.
I am thinking your voltage regulator might be causing this even though it IS working properly.
As it is controlling the charging current of the battery there are times the voltage regulator contacts are vibrating by opening and shuting 50+ times per second. There is almost a constant see-saw battle that is going on, between the full charged battery voltage and the charging current of the battery causing the contacts to slightly spark and buzz. The more load on the ignition voltage, the more this could happen. I could be wrong but I am thinking this will put noise on your 6 volt power supply. Some of it the battery filters out but some is still there. The LEDs are fast enough to detect it thus the flashing. How to get rid of it? I would try to find some condensors/capacitors to put across the headlight circuit. Even those radio supression style ones across your voltage regulator could help if you don't have those already. Back in the day they used them across anything that could create noise in a radio such as your voltage regulator, fuel level, oil pressue sender, etc. Just some thoughts anyway.
In fact, I believe what’s happening is the bulb is switching between low and high beams, possibly through an issue in the bulb’s circuit itself. These bulbs will actually run on AC or DC of either polarity, which tells me they’re are internally rectified. My suspicion is that there is an intermittent short on the regulator board.
Last night my wife and I went out to a friend’s house. As we got ready to leave I switched in the lights without starting the the engine, the driver’s side headlight started flashing low to high. The passenger side was solid. On high beam it doesn’t flash. If it was a problem in the truck’s regulator, it would only happen if the truck was running and generator sending power to the regulator.
Since customer service hasn’t responded, I decided to buy another bulb. Unfortunately I can’t locate another vendor to buy a 6v led headlight from, so I guess I’ll just live with it, there’s nothing like good customer service, and this company is nothing like good customer service.
I’ll report back when I get the new bulb.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 615
Likes: 6
From: Tucson, AZ
I recently saw a Stacey David video on the new Holley RetroBright classic LED headlights. They replace the standard 7 inch sealed beam bulb, and look like the classic sealed beam bulb. They come in two colors of white light.
Link at Holley here: https://www.holley.com/products/elec.../parts/LFRB135
Nice looking, DOT approved but expensive at $199.99 each, so $400 for two.
Link at Holley here: https://www.holley.com/products/elec.../parts/LFRB135
Nice looking, DOT approved but expensive at $199.99 each, so $400 for two.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 467
From: Mason City, Iowa
Thx, but I don’t think that’s it. I understand the electrical noise issue you’re describing, I am in fact, an electrical engineer although my degree is yellow and faded, just like my memory of those classes. I put a load resistor across the low beam, and tried a capacitor across it as well, no change.
In fact, I believe what’s happening is the bulb is switching between low and high beams, possibly through an issue in the bulb’s circuit itself. These bulbs will actually run on AC or DC of either polarity, which tells me they’re are internally rectified. My suspicion is that there is an intermittent short on the regulator board.
Last night my wife and I went out to a friend’s house. As we got ready to leave I switched in the lights without starting the the engine, the driver’s side headlight started flashing low to high. The passenger side was solid. On high beam it doesn’t flash. If it was a problem in the truck’s regulator, it would only happen if the truck was running and generator sending power to the regulator.
Since customer service hasn’t responded, I decided to buy another bulb. Unfortunately I can’t locate another vendor to buy a 6v led headlight from, so I guess I’ll just live with it, there’s nothing like good customer service, and this company is nothing like good customer service.
I’ll report back when I get the new bulb.
In fact, I believe what’s happening is the bulb is switching between low and high beams, possibly through an issue in the bulb’s circuit itself. These bulbs will actually run on AC or DC of either polarity, which tells me they’re are internally rectified. My suspicion is that there is an intermittent short on the regulator board.
Last night my wife and I went out to a friend’s house. As we got ready to leave I switched in the lights without starting the the engine, the driver’s side headlight started flashing low to high. The passenger side was solid. On high beam it doesn’t flash. If it was a problem in the truck’s regulator, it would only happen if the truck was running and generator sending power to the regulator.
Since customer service hasn’t responded, I decided to buy another bulb. Unfortunately I can’t locate another vendor to buy a 6v led headlight from, so I guess I’ll just live with it, there’s nothing like good customer service, and this company is nothing like good customer service.
I’ll report back when I get the new bulb.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,408
Likes: 5,419
From: Central PA
I recently saw a Stacey David video on the new Holley RetroBright classic LED headlights. They replace the standard 7 inch sealed beam bulb, and look like the classic sealed beam bulb. They come in two colors of white light.
Link at Holley here: https://www.holley.com/products/elec.../parts/LFRB135
Nice looking, DOT approved but expensive at $199.99 each, so $400 for two.
Link at Holley here: https://www.holley.com/products/elec.../parts/LFRB135
Nice looking, DOT approved but expensive at $199.99 each, so $400 for two.
And what's with the 3 prong house cord for?
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 763
From: Hillsborough NJ
Lets not get overconfident now, I’m theorizing just like you are. We could both be wrong.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 763
From: Hillsborough NJ
Plus…no way I’m paying $400 for headlights. Those LEDs cost pennies to manufacture. That’s price gouging at its worst.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 615
Likes: 6
From: Tucson, AZ
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,408
Likes: 5,419
From: Central PA
I see that now! On my phone I saw a 2 blade plug with a ground prong. So that is the same 3 plugs we see on the back of a stock headlight?
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 763
From: Hillsborough NJ
Well...
I got the new bulbs, put one in the drivers side because that was the one flashing, the new bulb does the same thing. After driving around for awhile I noticed that what's happening is when I switch from high to low, it flickers between high and low for a few seconds, then settles and flickers less. One day soon I'm going to spend some quality time with the wiring, perhaps I have a bad connection, ground, relay, or something. More fun with my truck. But at least I can drive at night without killing my battery.
I got the new bulbs, put one in the drivers side because that was the one flashing, the new bulb does the same thing. After driving around for awhile I noticed that what's happening is when I switch from high to low, it flickers between high and low for a few seconds, then settles and flickers less. One day soon I'm going to spend some quality time with the wiring, perhaps I have a bad connection, ground, relay, or something. More fun with my truck. But at least I can drive at night without killing my battery.