LED headlights installed
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 151
Likes: 44
From: El Reno Oklahoma
Bob, I've been following your progress on this, as I've been thinking along the same thing for my '52. Mine is still 6v also. Just a thought, but I looked for a -6v- h4 halogen bulb that might help to diagnose whats going wrong. h4 bulbs are usually cheap and easy to find, but in 6v ? Evidently not something every chain parts store sells. Only in European motorcycles and some Porsche and VW from the '60's.. Did find some online tho. Maybe try a 12v off the shelf bulb to see if its a wiring or bulb or charging system problem? Good luck I hope you figure it out, I'll be watching !
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 763
From: Hillsborough NJ
Bob, I've been following your progress on this, as I've been thinking along the same thing for my '52. Mine is still 6v also. Just a thought, but I looked for a -6v- h4 halogen bulb that might help to diagnose whats going wrong. h4 bulbs are usually cheap and easy to find, but in 6v ? Evidently not something every chain parts store sells. Only in European motorcycles and some Porsche and VW from the '60's.. Did find some online tho. Maybe try a 12v off the shelf bulb to see if its a wiring or bulb or charging system problem? Good luck I hope you figure it out, I'll be watching !
We’re having a heat wave here in NJ right now. It’s already almost 100 and the sun is bearing down, even shade trees don’t help. I’ll attack this after this wave passes.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 763
From: Hillsborough NJ
Yep, that’s part of the plan.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 763
From: Hillsborough NJ
Curiouser and curiouser…
I swapped the headlights side to side. Now what I’m seeing is that they’re both stuck on bright. Occasionally one of them will switch to low.
My understanding is that on low, 1/2 of the LEDs are lit, high lights the rest. My theory is the the poor quality PCB is shorting so that all LEDs are in the circuit most of the time, and where they’re not, they’re intermittently making the connection.
Now if I could find an LED bulb for 6v + ground anywhere else, I’d buy them, but I’m unable to locate another vendor. I might just need to go back to halogen.
I swapped the headlights side to side. Now what I’m seeing is that they’re both stuck on bright. Occasionally one of them will switch to low.
My understanding is that on low, 1/2 of the LEDs are lit, high lights the rest. My theory is the the poor quality PCB is shorting so that all LEDs are in the circuit most of the time, and where they’re not, they’re intermittently making the connection.
Now if I could find an LED bulb for 6v + ground anywhere else, I’d buy them, but I’m unable to locate another vendor. I might just need to go back to halogen.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 763
From: Hillsborough NJ
The problem is most are negative ground only.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 3,653
Likes: 818
From: Swan River Valley M.B Can
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 763
From: Hillsborough NJ
I verified the part number. According to the vendor these are good for anywhere from 5 to 30V positive or negative ground.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 805
I would just make yourselves have an easier time with the concept and either wire in soemthign that can allow it to be negative ground,, not sure how.. Or convert your vehicle to 12 volt anyway. Otherwise the LED thing is gonna be taunting you
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 467
From: Mason City, Iowa
You could go that route though. It would involve a little rewiring of your headights circuit. Basically you would swap the polarties of the headlight system. You would end up feeding the headlights common terminal negative battery power from the headlight switch and the positive (or in your case ) ground side would be fed from your dimmer switch which common has now been connected to ground. In this case when the headlights are on you are switching between grounds for your high or low beams.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 763
From: Hillsborough NJ
Headlight housings are typically $30-50.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 763
From: Hillsborough NJ
You could go that route though. It would involve a little rewiring of your headights circuit. Basically you would swap the polarties of the headlight system. You would end up feeding the headlights common terminal negative battery power from the headlight switch and the positive (or in your case ) ground side would be fed from your dimmer switch which common has now been connected to ground. In this case when the headlights are on you are switching between grounds for your high or low beams.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 763
From: Hillsborough NJ
I edited the first post and title, but it doesn’t show the change in title.
The LEDs are out, halogen back in. My charging system is now able to handle the current and I just don’t want to waste more time on this.
I’m driving my truck almost everyday and enjoying every minute of it. I drove about 50 miles round trip to a cars and coffee this morning. The event was ok, some cool vehicles, but the drive through NJ woodlands and farms was beautiful.
The LEDs are out, halogen back in. My charging system is now able to handle the current and I just don’t want to waste more time on this.
I’m driving my truck almost everyday and enjoying every minute of it. I drove about 50 miles round trip to a cars and coffee this morning. The event was ok, some cool vehicles, but the drive through NJ woodlands and farms was beautiful.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,912
Likes: 1,196
From: Deerbrook, WI
If our trucks had to be perfect and every system optimal, we wouldn't be driving them. My lights are weak, so I avoid driving at night. My suspension, brakes, and steering are stock, so I drive slower. My paint and body work aren't perfect, but people still appreciate seeing it.
Jim
Jim
