1929 TwoLite headlamps w/ LED turn signals

[Canton_Model_A's]

Guys/Gals:
I have recently put the TwoLite buckets onto 'Darla' and I also have LED turn signals. My plan is to use the 2nd light in the headlamp as the 'marker' light/turn signal.

She has been converted to 12v by a previous owner. (Yes, I have thought about de-converting to 6v but my Spartan horn now is 12v)

Will I have the 'hyperflash' issue w/o any sort of resistor or should I be ok?

Just throwing it out there for discussion.

Dave

[Badpuppy]

The original use of the second bulb was as a parking lamp, with the absence of cowl lamps. If you have cowl lamps it's ok to use the second bulb for turn signals, although it makes more sense to use the cowls for turn signals as they are more visible.

An electronic flasher needs no resistor, but many have reported erratic operation with the engine running. The most reliable is to use a thermal flasher (of the correct voltage and polarity) in combination with the added load resistors.

[Canton_Model_A's]

Darla doesn't have the Cowl lights as she is a 1929. Just trying to make things look 'normal'

[rotorwrench]

The little park lamp inside the headlight shell may be difficult to see if the headlights are on. Even in daytime operation, the light is not very multi-directional but can be seen by direct oncoming traffic. The folks at right angles in intersections or driveways may not see it as well depending on the direction or turn selected. Cowl lamps have the same problem since they are farther aft and are somewhat shielded by the engine cowling.

I would suggest a bullet type signal mounted to the bumper. These are still commonly available for the motorcycle enthusiast that wants period type pieces for older machines that didn't have turn signals. There are lots of different styles available. This link is for one style that is similar to marker lamps used on trucks back in the day.
https://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/produ...nal-amber-lens

[Joe K]

You don't say if the Parking light bulb in the headlight is LED or the original 3cp filament.

I could see an LED in COLOR in that location/application. Strobe red possibly. Or if you want to fit in with the "rodders" use electric arc blue.

Something about LED illumination. Its a lot more "single frequency" and much easier for the eye to pick it up or differentiate from natural light.

I'm told that one of the advantages of LED illumination over even "natural illumination" is that the light wavelengths can be "tuned" to the task. I've noticed that my shop LED fluorescent type bulbs allow a greater degree of visual acuity than the old mercury fluorescent bulbs used to offer.

Joe K

[Canton_Model_A's]

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I have the incandescent bulb in when I purchased the items to restore the headlight bucket. I also currently have amber LED lamps in the bumper for turn-signals

[Synchro909]

I use this style of light. (The ones on the left.)
https://www.google.com/search?q=japa...p8Hl0eFix-5lnM

[Badpuppy]

Since you have turn signal lamps in the bumper you should leave the bucket lamp as designed, for parking lamp. I don't understand your intention in post #1.

[Canton_Model_A's]

@Badpuppy:
It was just to give a cleaner look on the front of the car. if the recommendation is to leave the LED signals in the bumper that is completely doable. They are non-obtrusive.

[ModelA29]

I've heard that turn signals in the headlights confuse drivers coming at you. They wonder why your car is winking at them.
Also the second bulb socket is a single contact. Park/turn bulbs are 2 contact.

[Jim/GA]

Originally Posted by Canton_Model_A's

@Badpuppy:
It was just to give a cleaner look on the front of the car. if the recommendation is to leave the LED signals in the bumper that is completely doable. They are non-obtrusive.

Here's a video of what the LED amber turn signal bulbs look like in the spot you ask about. They also serve as a 3 cp amber parking light bulb there. This is a 12 volt neg. grd. car.

https://youtu.be/Ie4McOqyOk0

[Canton_Model_A's]

is that one Your Ride?

[katy]

If I saw that blinking headlight I would wonder what was going on, not realizing that it's supposed to be a turn signal.

[Jim/GA]

Originally Posted by Canton_Model_A's

is that one Your Ride?

Yes.

.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Canton_Model_A's

Guys/Gals:
I have recently put the TwoLite buckets onto 'Darla' and I also have LED turn signals. My plan is to use the 2nd light in the headlamp as the 'marker' light/turn signal.

She has been converted to 12v by a previous owner. (Yes, I have thought about de-converting to 6v but my Spartan horn now is 12v)

Will I have the 'hyperflash' issue w/o any sort of resistor or should I be ok?

Just throwing it out there for discussion.

Dave

I am running the new Logolite LED headlights with amber incandescent turn sighnal bulbs. As the LEDheadlights don't use the reflector, the turn signals show up even with the headlights on.

Originally Posted by katy

If I saw that blinking headlight I would wonder what was going on, not realizing that it's supposed to be a turn signal.

I have not seen too many amber headlights, blinking or not.

[Joe K]

Originally Posted by ModelA29

Also the second bulb socket is a single contact. Park/turn bulbs are 2 contact.

The parking lights in the Twolite system are two wires to the main driving lights (high beam/low beam) and a single wire to the parking light. (ref: https://sacramentocapitolas.org/2017...iring-diagram/)

In all three applications the socket shell/headlamp reflector/headlamp body is the "ground." (I usually run a separate ground wire from each socket back through the conduit to frame ground - Ford's concept of ground being maintained through all the junctures of the headlights was "optimistic.")

You certainly would need the proper LED bulb bayonet to fit.

Not to mention a turn-signal switch in parallel to everything else on the steering column.

Have they ever made an "add-on" turn-signal switch that "resets" when you return the steering column to neutral position?

Joe K

[David in San Antonio]

Have they ever made an "add-on" turn-signal switch that "resets" when you return the steering column to neutral position?

Joe K - When I notice that I’ve left the turn signal blinking long after I turned, I tell myself the turn signals are self-cancelling, because I have to cancel them myself.

[Ray in La Mesa]

I think back in the late 50's early 60's there was an aftermarket turn signal switch that mounted on the steering column just under the steering wheel that had a rubber wheel that rolled against the back side of the steering wheel that was a self canceling switch. I've got one but don't know if it will work on a Model A with the spark & throttle levers.

[Jim/GA]

Originally Posted by Joe K

The parking lights in the Twolite system are two wires to the main driving lights (high beam/low beam) and a single wire to the parking light. (ref: https://sacramentocapitolas.org/2017...iring-diagram/)

In all three applications the socket shell/headlamp reflector/headlamp body is the "ground." (I usually run a separate ground wire from each socket back through the conduit to frame ground - Ford's concept of ground being maintained through all the junctures of the headlights was "optimistic.")

You certainly would need the proper LED bulb bayonet to fit.

Not to mention a turn-signal switch in parallel to everything else on the steering column.

Have they ever made an "add-on" turn-signal switch that "resets" when you return the steering column to neutral position?

Joe K

Joe, you raise some good points!

1. If you want the second socket inside the headlight reflector to serve as both Parking Light and Turn Signal bulb, you need to rewire it with a 2-filament bulb socket, like for an 1157 bulb; pretty easy to do. Now you have 4 wires going into the headlight, not 3, and you can't use Ford's original connector at the bottom of the headlight bucket; some people will say that is a good thing (they don't like Ford's connector). You will have 5 wires going through the conduit if you add a ground; good luck with that!

2. There are some really nice turn signal systems out there now that use a very small switch, mounted under the edge of the dash in the car, that are not as big and ugly a the silver turn signal lever we have all gotten used to seeing when turn signals are added. The new switches look much nicer and are almost invisible. A momentary press to the left for a left turn signal, or a momentary press to the right for a right turn. The switch is spring load to be a momentary contact switch.

3. There are some really smart turn signal control boxes out now that self cancel the turn signal for you after a certain time. As long as you hold your foot on the brake pedal, the signal keeps going. But then a few seconds after you take your foot off the brake, they cancel. You can also manually cancel at any time by tapping the turn signal switch a second time. It is the perfect solution. I have installed a few.

[ModelA29]

Originally Posted by Jim/GA

1. If you want the second socket inside the headlight reflector to serve as both Parking Light and Turn Signal bulb, you need to rewire it with a 2-filament bulb socket,

Since you don't need park and turn at the same time you could get creative with a relay. When you turn the parking light on it activates the relay and sends power to the light. When the relay is not energized the contact sends pulses of power to the light from the flasher.


I'll sketch up a schematic. You could make it with a relay, toggle switch and flasher.