Headlight Question

[Lefthander1930]

I'm upgrading to 12 Volts I have a 30-31 Coupe. Did 30-31 come with cowl lights.
While changing the headlights bulbs I found a small bulb above. What is it for ?
Can it be turned into a turn signal with the proper wiring ?

[J Franklin]

It was the parking light. You can use it for anything you wish.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Lefthander1930

I'm upgrading to 12 Volts I have a 30-31 Coupe. Did 30-31 come with cowl lights.
While changing the headlights bulbs I found a small bulb above. What is it for ?
Can it be turned into a turn signal with the proper wiring ?

As mentioned, the small bulbs in the reflectors are parking lights on cars that don't have cowl lights. I use them for my front turn signals by adding an amber bulb, 1156A. I don't like the looks of "modern" marker lights bolted to the bumper for turn signal lights.

[Patrick L.]

Like Y-Blockhead has done. I use both the cowls and parks as turn lites.

If you want to use your parks as parks too then you could just change to a double socket and 1157 bulb and get double duty from them.

If switching the rears to LEDs then the incandescent fronts will allow a thermal flasher to work.

[CHuDWah]

Originally Posted by Lefthander1930

I'm upgrading to 12 Volts I have a 30-31 Coupe. Did 30-31 come with cowl lights.
While changing the headlights bulbs I found a small bulb above. What is it for ?
Can it be turned into a turn signal with the proper wiring ?

In answer to the bolded, a few models came with standard cowl lights but most didn't. They could be dealer-installed (and I think factory-installed on special order) as an extra-cost option.

[Badpuppy]

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1928-E29 H-type headlights were single bulb. Cowl lights were an option.
After that TwoLite headlights had two bulbs on standard models and only a single bulb on deluxe models, which were fitted with cowl lamps. The extra bulb was a parking lamp.

[stevemclark]

They came on the Deluxe Coupe like mine, here is a kit if interested from one supplier I like.Good safety add on that looks original.https://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A13303TSB.html. .Mikes has right side tail light brackets and a turn signal switch but in 6 volt ,a 12 volt flasher can be had to change it.Mine work great.

[katy]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

If you want to use your parks as parks too then you could just change to a double socket and 1157 bulb and get double duty from them.

Who uses park lights these days?

I've been driving for umpteen years and don't think that I've ever used park lights.

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by katy

Who uses park lights these days?

I've been driving for umpteen years and don't think that I've ever used park lights.

I don't use them either, but, someone might.

I just like doing that stuff, so when I decided to add turn signals I turned the parks and cowls [ car had both when I got it] into turns as well. So, in the end, I have more lites than I'll ever need or use.

[jrelliott]

I use the parking lights when driving as a way to keep battery charge rate to about 2 Amps instead of about 6 to 8 Amps. May be able to be seen by other drivers as safety factor. Cannot get the charge rate any lower with 3rd brush in the lowest position on Power House generator. Want to design a voltage regulator for changing the field strength to get the generator charge rate correct without adjusting the third brush and do not like the ones that has the generator set to 8 Amps and controlling after the fact.

[stevemclark]

Originally Posted by katy

Who uses park lights these days?

I've been driving for umpteen years and don't think that I've ever used park lights.

I think it's illegal to drive in Virginia with just parking lights