Model A headlights converted to halogen bulbs with 12 volt plus LED tail lights

[bartmcneill]

I like to see at night so here is what a halogen bulb conversion to your original reflectors and lenses look like. Also LED tail lights...really bright. Not really adjusted yet but I wanted them aimed a little low so not to blind anyone.

[TerryH]

I've had the 6v quartz halogen headlights for almost 10 years, and the LED tail lights for about 5 years, and would never be without both (plus turn signals).
They really light up the road and reach out quite far; driving at night, even on our freeways, not a problem at all.

[Y-Blockhead]

Since the stock headlights are rated in cp (candle power) I wonder what 35w halogen bulbs are rated.

I would like to compare them to Ron Francis' 'Super Bright' bulbs, which are rated at 75/125 cp, compared to stock 32/50 cp.

[updraught]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Since the stock headlights are rated in cp (candle power) I wonder what 35w halogen bulbs are rated.

I would like to compare them to Ron Francis' 'Super Bright' bulbs, which are rated at 75/125 cp, compared to stock 32/50 cp.

+1

One is a measure of light and one of power so it's a bit hard to compare.

If someone could take photos at night of the lights shining onto a wall from say about 20 feet in both high and low (to see the cut off), that would be great Oh yeah, halogens as well

[JohnLaVoy]

We did an article on this several years ago. One of the most important things is the focus of the beam. You need to bring the halogen bulb into the focal point to get the light on the street. They will look bright on the lens but won't be doing their job.

[MikeK]

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[3.6rs]

Originally Posted by bartmcneill

I like to see at night so here is what a halogen bulb conversion to your original reflectors and lenses look like. Also LED tail lights...really bright. Not really adjusted yet but I wanted them aimed a little low so not to blind anyone.

Nice.
But don't leave you car on your driveway with the lights on ! Plains will land in your garden

[2manycars]

I had a coupe with halogen lights and they lit up the whole area, and blinded oncoming traffic, but did not illuminate the road. I got rid of them and installed resilvered original reflectors with 50/50 bulbs focused properly, and the result was a huge improvement over the halogen, as I could actually see the road.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by JohnLaVoy

You need to bring the halogen bulb into the focal point to get the light on the street. They will look bright on the lens but won't be doing their job.

John, That is one of the reasons I asked. The Super Brites are supposed to be easier to focus that halogens.

Good info MikeK.

[updraught]

Thanks MikeK.

From a previous thread I gather a bunch of your states have a maximum of 32cp.
Fortunately for us, our govt. about 100 years ago or something, had no idea what they were doing and set the lighting laws in watts. I think it is 35 watts max. 35 watts of LED's is a fair bit.

Ron Francis bulbs are about US$16, which with postage to here with a spare bulb runs at about A$144 I think.
Are there other 55/75 12 volt bulbs with the correct filament "humps"?

Purdy Swoft posted this a few years ago about the bulb base halogens.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showp...28&postcount=6
Do these focus as well as the Ron Francis bulbs?

Photos of different beams would be nice ...

[MikeK]

updraught, The focal point of an 'A' reflector is 1.25" from the base or end point where the socket enters. Original lamps have an LCL (lamp centerline length) of 1.25", measured from the center of the filament to the top of the bayonet pins. That means when an original lamp is focused the bayonet pins are just visible and nearly flush with the socket opening in the reflector.

You have about + or - 1/8" usable focus with the socket and screw in stock form. A lamp would need to have the filament at least 1.125" and not more than 1.375" above the pins to be focusable. Deviating 1/8" from the focal point will about cut the driving beam in half and quadruple the glare to oncoming traffic.

Original filaments were V shaped to keep most of the filament as close to the exact focus point as possible. In actuality, NONE of a V filament touches the exact focal point, as it would be in the center of the open V. Linear filaments also work well in the A reflector IF they are at a 90 degree orientation to reflector axis and horizontal. Vertical filaments result in more glare light and a left-right beam shift when switching from Hi to Lo. Axial linear filaments perform poorly in an A reflector, producing less beam pattern and no 'dipping' when switching from Hi to Lo.

Quite some time ago I posted this bulb comparison. Things change, the cobbled together halogen lamps in bi-pin bases shown may not have the same LCL or filament orientation if you buy them again from the same sources.

[2manycars]

Mike, that is good information, and may explain why the halogen lights in my coupe were terrible. I still prefer original lights.

[updraught]

MikeK, thanks for the explanation.

I wondered about that focal point and the V.