LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

Here's my question-If I install LED headlights in my A, will I see a reduction of amp use? Just looking to lessen the load on the generator while driving at night. Worth it or not?

Thanks in advance-
Dino Falabrino

Re: LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

You will see a reduction in use-able road beam pattern! Bright appearing, but in the wrong directions. You will also have headlamps that put out almost no photons in the orange and red wavelengths vs. incandescent that put out a lot in those bands. So who sees red and orange signs and road cones/ construction stuff better??? If you like brightly lit trees, underpasses, and plenty of dangerous off-axis glare in the face of oncoming traffic go for it!

Also be prepared to lose the higher (above horizon 'bright' position) / lower (below horizon traffic driving) beam pattern shift. None of the available LED headlights correctly form or shift beam patterns.

Amperage load? Yep, those A's with generators that ran all over the place day and night for many many years are suddenly all in peril now that alternators and LED's are available.

Re: LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

Haha... Tell us what you really think about LED headlights Mike!!

But I agree on every point. Not to mention their brightness just don't look right on an old car.

Re: LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

X2.

I have them, but rarely drive at night, they work great as daytime driving lights. Day time, the ones I have people notice/see you due to increased brightness and whiter color.



Nighttime as MikeK posts, they do not focus into correct pattern and light up everything a ton brighter than the standard incandescent bulbs.


If you do a search on LED bulbs/headlighrs there has been a lot of dicssion on this subject.



Current draw is greatly reduced to about 2 amps for both headlights

Re: LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

Forgot to mention - Warning, never look at them without the lens attached. The LED's are so intense you will damage your eyes. Even with the lens on I still would not stand close at eye level and look at them.

Re: LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

Here is a test done by a member of the Memphis Model A Club.
"I set up a testing area as described in the book—25 feet from the headlights, horizontal line 37 inches from the floor and headlight centering marks 15 inches from the center."
Its obvious which light is the original incandescent and LogoLight.


The original light is on high beam in picture 1
Picture 2 is the LogoLight. He says the headlight needs to be adjusted down slightly.
Picture 3 is obvious.
I never wanted to or felt safe driving my A at night until I installed the LED lights. I recently made a 100 mile trip at night from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to Kanab, UT with no concerns. It was mostly black black night and a few small towns. I had no problem with yellow or orange cones or road signs.

Re: LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

If cars today come with LED head lights, how do they overcome the orange red thing? When it comes to road signs, it's not just the fact they are X color and shape, most all have a paint that is reflective so color spread of light from bulb should not matter. You don't need to see the color of the cone to know it is a cone. For a number of us, we rarely get out of low beam anyway and I for one want to see that pedestrian/bike rider in the shadows or along side of road as well as I can.

Re: LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

I've have aimed mine down, and aimed the driver side to the right to reduce blinding of oncoming drivers. But still at night if I pull into a rural driveway so am about 30 yards away from a barn, I can see illumination on the roof of the barn.


Am using the logo lights.


My experience so far

Re: LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

I had my reflectors re silvered and yet to install and have similar questions to what has been brought up in this post.
For those who have unfavorable comments regarding LEDs did you evaluate the bulbs from the UK? These are supposto be made to distribute the light properly?

IMO I would give up a little to be more visible to other drivers............

Re: LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

I ordered mine from one of the A vendors, Logo-lights. Have not tried others due to the cost.


Have LED Stop and Tail lamps, purchased forom here http://www.dynamoregulatorconversions.com/

Re: LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

I don't care much to see what is in a tree top 25 feet away, but I do want to see that curve coming 2000 feet away, I have 35 watt halogen bulbs, don't worry about over working the generator ---- it been ok with running halogen bulbs for over 20 years at 14 amps

With proper focus there's there's a defined beam that is projected further down the road

Re: LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

I installed LED headlights from LogoLites last year and have been very happy with them. They put out a lot of light and it’s much easier to see while driving at night. My car has the stock 6 volt positive electrical system. Current load dropped from 12 amps with the incandescent bulbs to 2 amps the LED headlights.

Re: LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

I went LED before LogoLites came out with theirs. Mine are from JD AMstar. I already had Halogens, but like the LEDs much better. More light, less heat & current draw. Mine are used primarily for daytime running lights anyway.

Re: LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

I like mine

Re: LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

I like my LEDs. Can actually drive for more than half an hour before the battery runs flat.
'Warm white' looks more 'normal' colour.
Of course i may have tinkered with mine for better focus. Not perfect, but better.

Never tried those ones from LogoLites but i hear they're ok?

Re: LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

Thanks everyone for helping me decide on what to do. My goal is to reduce amp draw when driving at night. So, is Logo lights to brand to use? Does anyone know how the LED's are from Snyder's ?

I appreciate the help.
Dino

Re: LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

They are LogoLites

Re: LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

I have been using the logolites for quite a while and love them. Yes, they dont have the same beam pattern as Mike mentioned but that is ok.

They make a great daytime driving light, a very good night time light, and you do not have to mess with the gen 3rd arm to adjust for the ammeter. When turned on you will not see a drop in the ammeter.

Re: LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

I'm using these, from LED lights, half the cost, work great!



https://www.ledlight.com/led-headlig...polarized.aspx

Re: LED headlights in a 6 volt car anyone?
 

I have to say I agree with MikeK. I have the LogoLites, I have the 25W halogens and I still went back to the old cheap 32/50cp bulbs. They might not be as bright as the LEDs but the focus correctly and put the light where the driver needs it and where oncoming drivers need it.


Another observation about the LEDs. You need to make sure you have perfect wiring connections to use them. With the stock setup my lights would flicker and would occasionally go out if I hit a bump in the road. This doesn't happen with the halogens or incandescents.


I took a bunch of pictures comparing the focus of the different bulbs. I'll have to find and post them here.