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-   -   Which filament is low beam? (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=245925)

burner31 06-11-2018 10:17 AM

Which filament is low beam?
 

1 Attachment(s)
Which filament is which on a 6V bulb?

Tom Wesenberg 06-11-2018 10:33 AM

Re: Which filament is low beam?
 

I've never seen filaments like that before. I'd guess the straight one is parking, as it looks thinner.


Actually that looks like an early parking/driving bulb. Since both filaments are in the center it won't have high/low beam aim.

Bob C 06-11-2018 10:48 AM

Re: Which filament is low beam?
 

1 Attachment(s)
I think that bulb is the new replacement 50/32 cp bulb with the wrong
shape filament. The picture shows what they should look like.


Bob

Merc Cruzer 06-11-2018 10:55 AM

Re: Which filament is low beam?
 

I would turn on the lights and see what filament light up then push on the high beam switch and see if the other filament light up. Wiring diagrams are great but many times observation is more accurate.

Badpuppy 06-11-2018 12:54 PM

Re: Which filament is low beam?
 

From what I gather, the shorter stems hold the brighter filament, which should be placed lower than the other. Frankly, I can't tell any difference in brightness.

Your #1188 is a 50/32 bulb, I dunno what Bob C has.

A problem I found in my car was one of the bulbs' filaments weren't aligned with the contacts and had a 'dip to the left' when dimmed. The other bulb was an original Gross branded 21/21 cp, with ridged edge around the front of the glass. Still works.

Tom Wesenberg 06-11-2018 08:12 PM

Re: Which filament is low beam?
 

It was an optical illusion, and now I see one filament is below the other. The filament on center should be HI beam and the filament placed above center should be LOW beam.

redmodelt 06-11-2018 09:13 PM

Re: Which filament is low beam?
 

It is not how bright the lights are but how the beam is aimed, the shape of the reflectors and lens.

Mike V. Florida 06-11-2018 11:52 PM

Re: Which filament is low beam?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg (Post 1639112)
It was an optical illusion, and now I see one filament is below the other. The filament on center should be HI beam and the filament placed above center should be LOW beam.


As Tom said, "The filament on center should be HI beam and the filament placed above center should be LOW beam."

Quote:

Originally Posted by redmodelt (Post 1639133)
It is not how bright the lights are but how the beam is aimed, the shape of the reflectors and lens.


redmodelt has an often overlooked and before now new impossible to get right comment.


Ever have one of those focusable flashlights? The bulb output is the same but the light is more useful when focused even seems brighter. The correctly shaped reflectors are available that are also aluminum coated so as to be as close to polished silver without worry about tarnish.

burner31 06-12-2018 01:35 AM

Re: Which filament is low beam?
 

Thank you Tom, thank you Mike...and thank you all

BILL WILLIAMSON 06-12-2018 08:31 AM

Re: Which filament is low beam?
 

I remember Tom saying, "Look at them with a welding helmet, when studying the filaments, when they're TURNED ON"!
Bill W.

Badpuppy 06-12-2018 10:03 AM

Re: Which filament is low beam?
 

Here's the reflectors Mike V mentioned -

https://www.brattons.com/newly-re-to...eflectors.html

The instructions tell how to install the bulbs...(Could I have been wrong????) :eek:

quickchange 06-12-2018 06:05 PM

Re: Which filament is low beam?
 

Down under we have too put them up the other way?

Badpuppy 06-13-2018 09:56 AM

Re: Which filament is low beam?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by quickchange (Post 1639430)
Down under we have too put them up the other way?

Might as well. Everything there swirls the wrong way anyhow.

updraught 06-13-2018 09:22 PM

Re: Which filament is low beam?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badpuppy (Post 1639636)
Might as well. Everything there swirls the wrong way anyhow.

https://www.nytimes.com/1975/01/25/a...de-of-the.html

If you changed to RHD your world would be a lot calmer.

burner31 06-14-2018 01:51 AM

Re: Which filament is low beam?
 

1 Attachment(s)
I was thinking of going to Australia once...until I seen what panda's REALLY look like

Badpuppy 06-14-2018 08:55 AM

Re: Which filament is low beam?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by updraught (Post 1639882)
https://www.nytimes.com/1975/01/25/a...de-of-the.html

If you changed to RHD your world would be a lot calmer.

I remember that article. Claimed by a bunch of California chuckleheads.

Keith: updraught's avatar is what an Australian panda REALLY looks like.

And boy, are we off-topic. Have you figured out yet which filament is low beam? (I haven't.)

burner31 06-14-2018 09:29 AM

Re: Which filament is low beam?
 

Yes, the small filament is low beam
Now to get them focused

Badpuppy 06-14-2018 11:42 AM

Re: Which filament is low beam?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by burner31 (Post 1640010)
Yes, the small filament is low beam

Thanks. I'll go swap mine now. :o

updraught 06-14-2018 11:28 PM

Re: Which filament is low beam?
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhjopjpqxAc

Beats milking cows

Badpuppy 07-14-2018 09:28 AM

Re: Which filament is low beam?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by burner31 (Post 1640010)
Yes, the small filament is low beam

Well, Bratton's instructions are wrong. Here's how filaments work:

Longer filament = higher resistance = lower current = less light (dim)
Shorter filament = lower resistance = higher current = more light (bright)

The filaments are equidistant (1/16") from the center plane that intersects the base contacts, so the original headlight reflector opening is elevated to compensate for this, causing the brighter filament to be adjusted along the parabolic axis.

http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/Aheadlampreflectors.htm

So install the bulbs with the longer filament on top and make sure it's the one that illuminates with the light switch in dim position. If not, either spin your (repro) reflector 180 degrees or swap wires at the conduit socket.

Back to bulb spinning.:mad:


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