The Ford Barn

Jimemitchellsr · 08-10-2011, 07:37 AM

31 model rewired for 12 volt. Has 12 volt double pole bulbs for bright and single pole for dims plus single pole bulb in back-up/tag light. That give a total of 5 wires (about 100-125 amps coming thru the switch)
Question is...Do I need to add a relay between switch and lights?

Also, has anyone else gotten an after market tail light where the red (brake) light is on the bottem with the tag light window and the back up (white/yellow) light is on the top? I had to make a bracket to put inside the light so I could reverse the lens because the screws are not on center.
Jim (Alabama)

Kurt in NJ · 08-10-2011, 08:29 AM

The red part is the tail light, the yellow part is the stop light.

125 amps??? --there must be a lot of smoke waiting to get out of those wires ---on 6V my halogen lights only take 14 A for all the lights, on 12 V it should be 1/2 that ---the 6V wires are larger than 12V wires, the stock wiring and switch works fine on 12V ---but to use it for 100-125 amps you will need some very good sized releys.

In NJ motor vehicle law it states---tail lights --RED, stop lights --Yellow, or Red

Keith True · 08-10-2011, 08:42 AM

You have me confused.125 amps?? Double pole for the brights and single pole for the dim?The headlight bulbs are one bulb,with one pole for the bright and the other for the dim.Not a separate bulb for the dim.Separate bulb is for the parking light.Backup light?? There is no backup light,the top light is the brake light and the bottom is tail and tag.The old repro yellow brake lense will turn white after the yellow magic marker color flakes off.

Benson · 08-10-2011, 09:13 AM

Jim,

Are you using Halogen H4 bulbs? Some are rated (50 watts low beam /60 watts high) ... times two that is 100 to 120 watts or about 20 amps a pair at 12 volts.

I have been using sealed beams since the early 60's with stock wiring and 6 volts ... no problems. No relay used.

Two SB and tail, dash light is about 18 -20 amps on high beams.

Charlie Stephens · 08-10-2011, 10:36 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Jim,

There is a chance that your tail light is from a '32 (maybe with a Model A Trim ring). The '32 had the license plate mounted above the light. Is "Duolamp" lettered next to the license plate window or on the other side? How about a picture?

Charlie Stephens

08-10-2011, 07:37 AM	#1
Jimemitchellsr Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 3	12 volt rewire 31 model rewired for 12 volt. Has 12 volt double pole bulbs for bright and single pole for dims plus single pole bulb in back-up/tag light. That give a total of 5 wires (about 100-125 amps coming thru the switch) Question is...Do I need to add a relay between switch and lights? Also, has anyone else gotten an after market tail light where the red (brake) light is on the bottem with the tag light window and the back up (white/yellow) light is on the top? I had to make a bracket to put inside the light so I could reverse the lens because the screws are not on center. Jim (Alabama)

08-10-2011, 08:29 AM	#2
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: 12 volt rewire The red part is the tail light, the yellow part is the stop light. 125 amps??? --there must be a lot of smoke waiting to get out of those wires ---on 6V my halogen lights only take 14 A for all the lights, on 12 V it should be 1/2 that ---the 6V wires are larger than 12V wires, the stock wiring and switch works fine on 12V ---but to use it for 100-125 amps you will need some very good sized releys. In NJ motor vehicle law it states---tail lights --RED, stop lights --Yellow, or Red Last edited by Kurt in NJ; 08-10-2011 at 08:31 AM. Reason: more

08-10-2011, 08:42 AM	#3
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 2,990	Re: 12 volt rewire You have me confused.125 amps?? Double pole for the brights and single pole for the dim?The headlight bulbs are one bulb,with one pole for the bright and the other for the dim.Not a separate bulb for the dim.Separate bulb is for the parking light.Backup light?? There is no backup light,the top light is the brake light and the bottom is tail and tag.The old repro yellow brake lense will turn white after the yellow magic marker color flakes off.

08-10-2011, 09:13 AM	#4
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,599	Re: 12 volt rewire Jim, Are you using Halogen H4 bulbs? Some are rated (50 watts low beam /60 watts high) ... times two that is 100 to 120 watts or about 20 amps a pair at 12 volts. I have been using sealed beams since the early 60's with stock wiring and 6 volts ... no problems. No relay used. Two SB and tail, dash light is about 18 -20 amps on high beams. Last edited by Benson; 08-10-2011 at 09:33 AM.

08-10-2011, 10:36 AM	#5
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,033	Re: 12 volt rewire Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Jim, There is a chance that your tail light is from a '32 (maybe with a Model A Trim ring). The '32 had the license plate mounted above the light. Is "Duolamp" lettered next to the license plate window or on the other side? How about a picture? Charlie Stephens