The Ford Barn

lorenallen · 06-06-2019, 07:04 PM

I recently installed a new wiring hardness in my 68B Cabriolet and at the same time upgraded the head lights to LED and installed new headlight reflectors. The new reflectors are from Brattons and the reflector has a black finish on the back which is not conductive like the old reflectors were so I lost the ground to the Parking Light socket. I ran a new ground wire and flattened the wire to pinch it between the socket and reflector in order to ground the socket. Does anyone have a better way to ground the socket? My car is 12 volt, negative ground.

J Franklin · 06-06-2019, 10:46 PM

How about a dab of solder bond? Are the reflectors metal?

Badpuppy · 06-07-2019, 10:24 AM

I'm really surprised (and disappointed) Bratton's reflectors are nonconductive. The grounding path relies on the connection between the reflector and the steel mounting ring in the bucket.

This might be more reliable - attach a wire between the socket sleeve(s) and the conduit socket holder with small hose clamps. Tin the wire ends with solder so the connections don't corrode.

Ruth · 06-07-2019, 10:59 AM

Bratton's reflector should conduct electricity. It is made of aluminum.

Badpuppy · 06-08-2019, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruth

Bratton's reflector should conduct electricity. It is made of aluminum.

I should hope so. Check cleanliness of the headlight ring where it contacts the back of the reflector rim. Also remember body bolts make lousy conductors.

Bob C · 06-08-2019, 10:28 AM

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Bratton's catalog doesn't say what the reflector is made of just says it is aluminum plated, polished and sealed from air.

Bob

1931 flamingo · 06-08-2019, 03:01 PM

You're 12V and LED's, so not original, run a separate ground wire back thru the conduit and ground it to frame near front fender. FWIW
Paul in CT

Ruth · 06-08-2019, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

Bratton's catalog doesn't say what the reflector is made of just says it is aluminum plated, polished and sealed from air.

Bob

I stand corrected.

dumb person · 06-08-2019, 05:47 PM

Unfortunately what you have done is the simplest way to effect a ground. I do it myself and i hate it.

lorenallen · 06-10-2019, 06:57 PM

I ended up crimping an eye lug on the wire and then inserting the wire terminal between the reflector and the socket then I put a small hoes clamp around the socket and tightened the clamp so I can not pull it out - this worked very well - thanks for the idea.

J Franklin · 06-10-2019, 09:35 PM

Would that not have been easier just soldering it?

lorenallen · 06-12-2019, 07:00 PM

I tried to solder to the socket and it would not stick to it - possibly my soldering iron is not hot enough. I even tried using soldering paste but it did work. The hose clamp works very well.

06-06-2019, 07:04 PM	#1
lorenallen Junior Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 20	Parking light ground wire I recently installed a new wiring hardness in my 68B Cabriolet and at the same time upgraded the head lights to LED and installed new headlight reflectors. The new reflectors are from Brattons and the reflector has a black finish on the back which is not conductive like the old reflectors were so I lost the ground to the Parking Light socket. I ran a new ground wire and flattened the wire to pinch it between the socket and reflector in order to ground the socket. Does anyone have a better way to ground the socket? My car is 12 volt, negative ground.

06-06-2019, 10:46 PM	#2
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,959	Re: Parking light ground wire How about a dab of solder bond? Are the reflectors metal? Last edited by J Franklin; 06-06-2019 at 10:59 PM.

06-07-2019, 10:24 AM	#3
Badpuppy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Guthrie, OK Posts: 1,144	Re: Parking light ground wire I'm really surprised (and disappointed) Bratton's reflectors are nonconductive. The grounding path relies on the connection between the reflector and the steel mounting ring in the bucket. This might be more reliable - attach a wire between the socket sleeve(s) and the conduit socket holder with small hose clamps. Tin the wire ends with solder so the connections don't corrode.

06-07-2019, 10:59 AM	#4
Ruth Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Glide, Oregon Posts: 1,336	Re: Parking light ground wire Bratton's reflector should conduct electricity. It is made of aluminum.

06-08-2019, 10:28 AM	#6
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,741	Re: Parking light ground wire Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Bratton's catalog doesn't say what the reflector is made of just says it is aluminum plated, polished and sealed from air. Bob

06-08-2019, 03:01 PM	#7
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,389	Re: Parking light ground wire You're 12V and LED's, so not original, run a separate ground wire back thru the conduit and ground it to frame near front fender. FWIW Paul in CT

06-08-2019, 05:47 PM	#9
dumb person Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South pacific island Posts: 1,724	Re: Parking light ground wire Unfortunately what you have done is the simplest way to effect a ground. I do it myself and i hate it. __________________ <Link> This is how we roll<Link> "I'm Convinced that no one really reads posts anymore; they just fabricate what they think the post says then ramble on about red herrings."--Bob Outcasts rules of old cars #1 Fun is imperative, mainstream is overrated #2 If they think it is impossible, prove them wrong #3 If the science says it impossible you are not being creative enough. #4 No shame in recreating something you never had #5 If it were not for the law & physics you would be unstoppable

06-10-2019, 06:57 PM	#10
lorenallen Junior Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 20	Re: Parking light ground wire I ended up crimping an eye lug on the wire and then inserting the wire terminal between the reflector and the socket then I put a small hoes clamp around the socket and tightened the clamp so I can not pull it out - this worked very well - thanks for the idea.

06-10-2019, 09:35 PM	#11
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,959	Re: Parking light ground wire Would that not have been easier just soldering it?

06-12-2019, 07:00 PM	#12
lorenallen Junior Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 20	Re: Parking light ground wire I tried to solder to the socket and it would not stick to it - possibly my soldering iron is not hot enough. I even tried using soldering paste but it did work. The hose clamp works very well.