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.

Re: Parking light ground wire
 

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

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.

Re: Parking light ground wire
 

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

Re: Parking light ground wire
 

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.

Re: Parking light ground wire
 

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


Bob

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

Re: Parking light ground wire
 

I stand corrected.

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.

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.

Re: Parking light ground wire
 

Would that not have been easier just soldering it?

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.