headlights

[coolcoupe]

Could someone tell me what I need to have led headlights in a 47 car with 6 volt- positive ground ? Can it be done.

[coolcoupe]

Someone must have done this

[Mike in Mass]

try over at the Hamb

[blucar]

To my knowledge there is no such thing as LED 6v positive ground headlights.
LED's and or Halogen lights would require a conversion to 12v, which would be and expense that would accomplish nothing.
Rather than doing a conversion I would suggest that you install a headlight repay into the stock 6v system, thereby insuring full voltage to the headlights and minimizing the voltage draw from the wiring and switch.
I have a relay in the headlight system in my '36 Ford, my 6v lights are as bright as any 12 v system..

[Drbrown]

The "brick wall" is that your operating with 6 volts.

My knowledge is limited but in order to adapt a 12 volt LED headlight bulb (doubt they make 6 volt) into a '47 that uses a 6 volt sealed beam lamp and related housing, seems you'd have to resolve the electrical issue and the issue of finding and adapting a reflector housing to suit. As said, check the HAMB forum and do an internet search for possible kits.

I'm with blucar (above) .... relays are a benefit. I use them for my headlights (one each - high and low), fog lights and even my ignition switch system because of the need to control add-on's (heater, radio, flashers, tach, elec wipers, etc). Check-out the MAD ENTERPRISES web site for info about this technology and electrical system components in general.

[51 MERC-CT]

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Contrary to previous post " LED's and or Halogen lights would require a conversion to 12v" , there are 6 volt 7 inch dia. Halogen sealed beams available.
There are also headlight conversions that convert from sealed beams to plug in bulbs.
There are six volt led high/low beam headlamp bulbs available.
It's just a matter of matching the correct bulb configuration (HB2, H4 etc.) to what ever type bulb the conversion assy. requires.

[coolcoupe]

would a 6-12v converter work if it was added to lighting system ?

[JSeery]

An LED is a diode, so it is going to be directional. That means you are going to have to connect the polarity correctly. Next issue is the voltage. Yes you can convert 6v to 12v, but you loose half the current in the process. Depending on the generator output (not that much) it is going to require sizable part of that output to run the converter. If the LEDs require enough less current than the original lights that might be a wash. Now the question is why not just convert the car to 12v neg ground if you are wanting to convert to LED lighting?

[coolcoupe]

Thank you all for your inputs !! Sounds like it wouldn't be a good idea.

[supereal]

I put halogen headlights in my '47, and were less bright than the sealed beams they replaced. We used a 6v alternator with no improvement. Checking the headlight circuit piece by piece, I found the amount actually getting to the bulbs was about half the necessary wattage. I constructed a relay panel used two starter solenoids which are operated by the stock wiring to feed direct battery power to the headlights, leaving the stock wiring intact. The headlights are now as bright as newer cars.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

Contrary to previous post " LED's and or Halogen lights would require a conversion to 12v" , there are 6 volt 7 inch dia. Halogen sealed beams available.

That's what I use and they work fine. You can buy them off the shelf at NAPA. PART #
LMP H6006: https://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p...006_0237340970

[42guy]

I use the 6 volt lamps Old Henry mentions and are controlled by a relay. They are as bright as you need.