Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-13-2020, 05:03 PM   #1
Chuck Dempsey
Senior Member
 
Chuck Dempsey's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Waynesville, NC
Posts: 778
Default headlight current tied to ignition switch?

Is there any SIMPLE way to run the headlights ONLY when the ignition switch is ON? I say SIMPLE because my electrical skills suck.

Thanks
Chuck Dempsey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2020, 05:10 PM   #2
Bill G
Senior Member
 
Bill G's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Walla Walla, WA
Posts: 1,044
Default Re: headlight current tied to ignition switch?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck Dempsey View Post
Is there any SIMPLE way to run the headlights ONLY when the ignition switch is ON? I say SIMPLE because my electrical skills suck.

Thanks
No, no simple way, especially if your electrical skills suck.

Can it be done? yes.
Bill G is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 12-13-2020, 05:15 PM   #3
Kurt in NJ
Senior Member
 
Kurt in NJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: on the Littlefield
Posts: 6,140
Default Re: headlight current tied to ignition switch?

Hook the ignition to the headlights
Kurt in NJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2020, 05:26 PM   #4
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
Default Re: headlight current tied to ignition switch?

Sure it can be done, but, not too easily. Its much easier to make sure the light switch is at 6:00 and look at the ammeter.

Part of my post-flight mental checklist is to lastly glance at the ammeter.
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2020, 07:14 PM   #5
Ranchero50
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Hagerstown MD
Posts: 224
Default Re: headlight current tied to ignition switch?

If your electrical skills suck, probably no...

That Henry chose to put the ignition switch on the wrong side of the coil (points versus source) it's even more of a pain.
__________________
Building a '29 Speedster, the hard way...
Ranchero50 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2020, 07:16 PM   #6
Bob C
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: So Cal
Posts: 8,712
Default Re: headlight current tied to ignition switch?

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Not sure what you are trying to do since the ignition switch has nothing to do with the head lights. Are you wanting the headlights only, not tail lights, to turn on when you turn the key on?
Bob C is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2020, 07:57 PM   #7
Chuck Dempsey
Senior Member
 
Chuck Dempsey's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Waynesville, NC
Posts: 778
Default Re: headlight current tied to ignition switch?

Bob, I just want to stop leaving the headlights on when I shut off the engine after a drive. I'm getting better at checking the headlight switch, but if I could easily arrange a cutoff of the headlight via the ignition, I'd set it up.....

Thanks all for the input!
Chuck Dempsey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2020, 08:20 PM   #8
Mister Moose
Senior Member
 
Mister Moose's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Hartford area, CT
Posts: 374
Default Re: headlight current tied to ignition switch?

Sounds like a job for a 20A rated relay that would close with 6V. If that sentence scares you then it's not easy enough. Or find a friend.
Mister Moose is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2020, 08:25 PM   #9
GRutter
Senior Member
 
GRutter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Mint Hill, North Carolina
Posts: 386
Default Re: headlight current tied to ignition switch?

If using an original pop-out ignition switch, then NO.
If using a simple off-on ignition switch, it "could" be done, but would require re-wiring the ignition circuit.
A concern that I would have is the wire gauge and current you would be running through the ignition switch.
With original wiring, the ignition switch only sees about 4 amps. Re-wired to support running lights plus ignition, it could see 15+ amps.
GRutter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2020, 08:28 PM   #10
J Franklin
Senior Member
 
J Franklin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 5,947
Default Re: headlight current tied to ignition switch?

Your best bet is to just look at the switch when turning the car off. Post a note on the dash till you get into the habit.
J Franklin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2020, 08:55 PM   #11
shew01
Senior Member
 
shew01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Roanoke, VA USA
Posts: 1,905
Default headlight current tied to ignition switch?

Would something like this help?

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/GRO8...SABEgJPU_D_BwE

It’s not a bad idea to shut off all the current on 90 year old wiring when you aren’t using the car anyway.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
shew01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2020, 09:19 PM   #12
Jacksonlll
Senior Member
 
Jacksonlll's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC
Posts: 1,686
Send a message via ICQ to Jacksonlll
Default Re: headlight current tied to ignition switch?

I had this problem and I put in a buzzer that will let me know when the lights are on and my door is open. Been workin good for a long time.
Here is the video.
https://youtu.be/it7C06vanBs
Jacksonlll is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2020, 09:35 PM   #13
Ian in Mississauga
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 136
Default Re: headlight current tied to ignition switch?

I hooked up my dash light to the wire going to the tail light. Now if the parking lights or headlights are still on when I turn the key off I got a visual reminder. No goofs since I did this.
Ian in Mississauga is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2020, 05:41 AM   #14
Bruce of MN
Senior Member
 
Bruce of MN's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: VA
Posts: 1,394
Default Re: headlight current tied to ignition switch?

Did you put a diode in the line? Otherwise, that might light your tail lights any time the dash light is on.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian in Mississauga View Post
I hooked up my dash light to the wire going to the tail light. Now if the parking lights or headlights are still on when I turn the key off I got a visual reminder. No goofs since I did this.
Bruce of MN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2020, 06:49 AM   #15
Chuck Dempsey
Senior Member
 
Chuck Dempsey's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Waynesville, NC
Posts: 778
Default Re: headlight current tied to ignition switch?

Lots of good ideas. The tail light-dash light idea sounds about my level...

Thanks all.
Chuck Dempsey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2020, 07:41 AM   #16
bbrocksr
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Yakima Washington
Posts: 913
Default Re: headlight current tied to ignition switch?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck Dempsey View Post
Lots of good ideas. The tail light-dash light idea sounds about my level...

Thanks all.
Use a battery cut off switch like post 11 says, shuts off all the power when turned off.

Bill
bbrocksr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2020, 08:56 AM   #17
TJMack
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Venice, Fl and Marcy, NY
Posts: 93
Talking Re: headlight current tied to ignition switch?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mister Moose View Post
Sounds like a job for a 20A rated relay that would close with 6V. If that sentence scares you then it's not easy enough. Or find a friend.


I love your sense of humor. :-)
TJMack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2020, 09:19 AM   #18
MickeyT
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Texas
Posts: 195
Send a message via MSN to MickeyT Send a message via Yahoo to MickeyT
Default Re: headlight current tied to ignition switch?

I use the electrical cut-out mentioned above. Then in case I forget that I've got in the habit of tapping the horn button when I get out of the vehicle.
MickeyT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2020, 09:30 AM   #19
Curtis in MA
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Leicester, MA
Posts: 296
Default Re: headlight current tied to ignition switch?

Where did you put the battery cut-out switch?
I don't like drilling metal and on the wood floor I'd kick it.
Curtis in MA is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2020, 10:59 AM   #20
Chuck Dempsey
Senior Member
 
Chuck Dempsey's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Waynesville, NC
Posts: 778
Default Re: headlight current tied to ignition switch?

Ditto on Curtis' question. Where? I've got a Tudor, so under the driver seat floorboard might make sense.....
Chuck Dempsey is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:36 PM.