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08-08-2020, 09:18 AM | #21 |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
doesn’t matter if it’s cable or braided strap but get it big enough mine goes from the bell housing to the body not the frame body is mounted on rubber mounts
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08-08-2020, 09:52 AM | #22 |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
You would first have to determine if it is the Generator/Regulator output or the gauge that is the issue. Sounds like you have checked the Gen/Reg, so most likely it is the gauge. Is the wiring to the gauge and the gauge ground in good shape? I would take a voltage reading at the gauge and see what you get, should be somewhere a little above 7 voltage with the engine rpms up. (this all assumes were are talking a voltage meter and not an ampmeter here)
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08-08-2020, 10:05 AM | #23 | |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
Quote:
Get a fairly heavy gauge, long wire and connect it to the ground on the battery. Now recheck your voltage reading into and out of the light control switch (and other devices, such as the dimmer switch, input to headlights, etc). The voltage at any of your check points should be very close to battery voltage, in other words, there should not be much voltage drop in the wiring or any devices such as the light switch. The voltage from the battery should be >6 volts not running and >7 volts running (above idle). Between using a dedicated ground directly to the battery for voltage checks and jumper wires to bypass suspect areas you should be able the isolate issues in short order. Additional grounds are always a good thing, but you still need to isolate any issues and resolve them. |
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08-08-2020, 01:08 PM | #24 |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
The ground cables can be a woven ground strap. Or a regular insulated cable. Doesn’t matter.
Six volt systems need at least a size 1 for both battery cables. I like to use larger. Put a ground strap or cable from the frame to the engine or transmission might give the starter some extra pep. Sure wouldn’t hurt but I doubt that is the dim light proble. |
08-08-2020, 08:56 PM | #25 |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
I was real curious and checked the charging voltage on my truck today.It is a stock 1952 F-1 with everything pretty much new including the wiring harness.With the truck at high rpm I am getting 7.50 at the battery.Should a 40 do the same thing.The lights on my truck are just about as good as if they were 12 volt!
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08-08-2020, 09:23 PM | #26 |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
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08-08-2020, 09:46 PM | #27 |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
A voltage drop test measures the resistance in a circuit and is more accurate way than using an ohm meter or measuring the voltage at the end point of the circuit. An ohm meter is hard to read when the circuit resistance is less than .05 ohms, but a voltage drop test will show how much voltage drop wcan occur with .005 ohms.
A voltage drop test is done by connecting a volt meter between the source of the voltage (battery) and the end point of a circuit while the circuit is in use (lights on or starter engaged). To test the headlight circuit on an 6 volt pos ground car, you would connect the COM lead of the volt meter to the NEG battery post and the + lead to the connector closest to the last point in the circuit. On a Ford, it would be the bullet connector by the right headlight, using a paper clip or other thin wire to probe inside the bullet connector. The total loss should be less than 0.5 volts . To isolate the source of n\the excess resistance, you would move the red probe back one connection at a time. Each bullet connector should not drop more than 0.05V. The circuit breaker, dimmer switch and the headlight switch should not drop more than 0.1V each. To test the grounding circuit for the headlights, connect the COM lead of the voltmeter to the grounding pigtail in the light bucket and the POS lead of the meter to the POS battery post. With the lights on, the reading should be less than 0.1V. If you need more help, I check the Early Ford V-8 Club Forum regularly.
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08-09-2020, 10:39 AM | #28 |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
Tom,I just don't understand what is going on.I checked my voltage on the hot wire going into headlight switch this morning with car not running and sat all night and I get 6.28 volts and I check the voltage going out to headights and I get 5.51 volt?I jumped over the switch and the jumper wire clips got real hot fast sending out 6 volts to headlights?Like I said before this is a new switch.
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08-09-2020, 11:07 AM | #29 |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
There is a large wiring connector located close to the headlight switch. I found that connector getting hot and was the cause of my poor lightning issues. Finally removed the connector and crimped and soldered the wires together. No more getting hot and good lights.
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08-09-2020, 11:26 AM | #30 |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
Ken,I don't exactly know what wire you are talking about.Is it close to the instrument panel or part of the wiring harness?
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08-09-2020, 12:32 PM | #31 |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
Your post says that you have approximately 0.8V drop in voltage across your light switch. If you did the measurements correctly, your light switch is bad. The max drop across the light switch is 0.1V.
If it is a new switch, send it back to the vendor and request a replacement. If it is an original switch, you can try operating it many times and then recheck it. This operation will clean the contacts if they are the cause of the problem. The original switches can be disassembled and repaired. I suggest that you do a voltage drop test as I described in my previous post. It is a much more accurate test than trying to read the voltage like you are doing. It will also help isolate the problem to the connection or component that is making your lights dim. I have no idea why your jumper wire clips got hot, unless you were using 18ga jumper wire. You need a 12ga jumper wire to test the headlight circuit.
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08-09-2020, 03:06 PM | #32 |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
If you aren't familiar with doing a voltage drop test there are several videos on Youtube. Like Tom says that is probably the quickest/easiest way to narrow it down if you can't get results with using a set of jumper cables to give temporary connections. I've often had luck with just giving a new temporary ground to body or chassis with a full size set of jumper cables.
That kind of weird that it shows this as my first post but still has my private messages and join date. I haven't logged in in quite a while. |
08-09-2020, 03:10 PM | #33 |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
Tom this is what I am using.I still have the old I think original switch.To me it looks like it has to be the switch because I am not getting 6 volt to dimmer switch?
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08-09-2020, 03:44 PM | #34 |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
Your jumps look like they are too light a gauge size for headlights. But that may be irrelevant at this point as it appears your switch is bad. If you want to bypass the switch while you are waiting on a new one, fabricate a short jumper of heavier gauge wire.
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08-09-2020, 07:22 PM | #35 | |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
Quote:
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08-09-2020, 07:23 PM | #36 |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
new or otherwise that switch is no good and has bad contacts and at best should only be used to run a relay otherwise needs to be replaced Bad contacts cause heat too much heat dosent end well
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08-10-2020, 08:32 AM | #37 |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
I called Carpenters this morning and told them the switch I had was defective.They are sending me another one no questions asked!Great service there!
Last edited by 40ford; 08-10-2020 at 03:56 PM. |
08-12-2020, 09:03 AM | #38 |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
I changed all my battery cables to size 00.Ran extra grounds from motor to frame and body.Car certainly cranks much faster.I hope this new switch cures my problem.I also ran extra ground wires at headlight buckets.I used this ground strap that Advance Auto sells which works real good for this.
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08-12-2020, 09:54 AM | #39 |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
I had some ground problems on my 40 also. Too much paint under the ground strap was keeping it from making good contact. Those universal ones make good supplemental grounds and don't look out of place.
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08-12-2020, 10:30 AM | #40 | |
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Re: Dim Headlights on 40:
Quote:
Last edited by JSeery; 08-12-2020 at 10:37 AM. |
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