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My 1952 F-1 is stock with 6 volt system.My headlights seem dim to me.I have 6.70 volts at high beam wire coming to the connector at radiator.Once I plug the wires for each headlight into this connector I only have like 5.40 volts going to each headlight?Is this normal?I thought I should have well over 6 volts going to each headlight?This is with truck running at a high idle.I have extra ground wire at each headlight but they only go to a bolt that holds one of the grill teeth on each side?Maybe this is the problem not sure?
The voltage drop is due to degraded wiring/connections. While not under load, the degraded wiring can keep up, but unable to cope with the high current demands. The fix to address any degraded wiring and connections.
Additionally, when rewiring, it may be worthwhile to add relays for the lights. This kit can be called in and special ordered and related threads may be of interest to you: Zim's 6V Bright Light Headlight Relay Kit](The 356 uses the same headlight as your Ford Truck so it should be relatively plug and play)
The voltage drop is due to degraded wiring/connections. While not under load, the degraded wiring can keep up, but unable to cope with the high current demands. The fix to address any degraded wiring and connections.
Additionally, when rewiring, it may be worthwhile to add relays for the lights. This kit can be called in and special ordered and related threads may be of interest to you: Zim's 6V Bright Light Headlight Relay Kit](The 356 uses the same headlight as your Ford Truck so it should be relatively plug and play)
Looks like they don't make that Zim's kit anymore.With stock wiring should I not have over 6 volt to each headlight pig tail?
Theoretically, yes. As with any electrical, there will be some loss through the length of the wiring, and the more switches and connectors you put in the path, that will add to that parasitic loss. Add in the fact, unless you have a new wiring harness, you probably have 75 year old wiring and connectors, corrosion, degradation, etc., all of these things add up to voltage loss. In a 6 volt system, even a half of a volt loss is about 10% of your power.
Theoretically, yes. As with any electrical, there will be some loss through the length of the wiring, and the more switches and connectors you put in the path, that will add to that parasitic loss. Add in the fact, unless you have a new wiring harness, you probably have 75 year old wiring and connectors, corrosion, degradation, etc., all of these things add up to voltage loss. In a 6 volt system, even a half of a volt loss is about 10% of your power.
All of the wiring is fairly new and light switch and dimmer also.
I find many to most LED offerings are not honestly DOT certified and thus not street legal. (For those upset by this, it is your bone to pick with the vendors, manufacturers, and regulators - not the messenger).
Originally Posted by leonharu
Looks like they don't make that Zim's kit anymore.
If you follow the threads on it, it seems Zims will make one up for you - they just don't list it as a regular product currently.
Originally Posted by leonharu
With stock wiring should I not have over 6 volt to each headlight pig tail?
I find many to most LED offerings are not honestly DOT certified and thus not street legal. (For those upset by this, it is your bone to pick with the vendors, manufacturers, and regulators - not the messenger).
Abe, that looks decent, but I think it is a 12V kit, not 6V.
I will double check. I had been searching for 6 volt LED Headlights. Found some but we're not DOT approved. Then I found this one. I punched in year and model of truck and they said it fits..... but do they know Ford trucks were 6 volt up to 1955?
They might physically fit but do they make them 6 volt.
I checked out the link and videos from Holley on those lights. They appeared to be high quality and a great upgrade, but know that price is not for a kit, but per bulb. It's over $500 to have those, plus whatever is necessary to install them. At that money, one would really need to ask themselves how much night driving they'll be doing, and where. If it's just around town on the occasional cruise night under plenty of street lights, that might not be worth the buy in vs. the $25 Toyota kit. If you plan to spend hours behind the wheel on dark, lonely country roads, well, maybe. But they are really cool.
I will double check. I had been searching for 6 volt LED Headlights. Found some but we're not DOT approved. Then I found this one. I punched in year and model of truck and they said it fits..... but do they know Ford trucks were 6 volt up to 1955?
They might physically fit but do they make them 6 volt.
Hey Abe, if we simply adjust your headlights so they point forward and not at the tree tops, you may find you don't need LED's.
Hey Abe, if we simply adjust your headlights so they point forward and not at the tree tops, you may find you don't need LED's.
LOL! That may be true but they are dim.
I am planning on adjusting them. My house is like 25 feet from the opening of my garage. But my garage floor is 8" higher than the driveway . So I'll take that into consideration when I measure and put tape on the wall.
But on the other hand I don't drive it at night much.
All of the wiring is fairly new and light switch and dimmer also.
Russ, I know you said the wiring is fairly new and all....but what gauge is it ?? If your wiring is 16 gauge or so you aren't getting the current you need for the lighjts
I'd run no less than 12 gauge and add the relays. With a six volt system it WILL make a difference
Looks like they don't make that Zim's kit anymore.With stock wiring should I not have over 6 volt to each headlight pig tail?
They still make it. I recently bought and installed it the installation instructions are a bit confusing and actually WRONG but it is super simple to install and makes a world of difference. The instructions are for a 12V positive ground installation but it says 6v as well which is incorrect. Contact me and I can tell you exactly how to hook up the wires. I let them know their instructions were wrong but I have no idea if they corrected them.
Call them directly. I think the person who made mine is Nate but I could have his name wrong. Either way when you call tell them you need a custom headlight relay harness made.
Last I spoke to him he was making up additional ones to sell to truck guys. But you have to call, they are not putting them up on their site. It was $80 I think n
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