The Ford Barn

Seth Swoboda · 02-16-2025, 07:58 PM

I converted my 1937 to 6-volt halogen lights. What kind of generator are you guys using with a fan on the generator? Something that will handle the additional load of the halogen headlights. The car is otherwise completely stock.

paul2748 · 02-16-2025, 08:38 PM

I know it is a little late, but going with LED's seem to be the way to go. Less draw than regular lights.

38 coupe · 02-16-2025, 08:44 PM

I swapped halogen headlight bulbs into a 37 sedan years ago. I adjusted the generator to just keep up with the headlights when they were on, then added a Fun Projects regulator. The Fun Projects regulator didn't like the output of the V8 generator and died in a couple years. I swapped to a regular cut-out and replaced the third brush with a regulator built by a man who has since ceased production. The generator itself never had a problem with any of the above. I since sold the car to a friend of mine who has made no changes to the generator or lights, and he is having no problems either.
I prefer halogen bulbs over LED bulbs. The halogen are full spectrum light without the weird shadows you get with LED, and they project further down the road than the LED bulbs I have seen for 35-39 Fords.

Seth Swoboda · 02-16-2025, 08:49 PM

I tried the LED bulbs from the guy everyone recommends. They would not fit my stock Ford headlight wiring harness. We went back and forth twice; I sent him a photo of the sockets and he told me I had Chrysler headlight sockets. At that point I politely moved on.

Bored&Stroked · 02-16-2025, 08:53 PM

Well, if comes down to the continuous AMP draw of the bulbs? Do you know what it is? Do you have an inductive amp meter than can measure it?

What I did on my 32 cabriolet was take a 34 generator and I sent it to E.J. Whitney for their alternator conversion. The create a bit bigger middle section, graft an alternator into it, add a cutout that looks completely stock and it works fantastic. It has good bearings in it so I've had no problem with the 32 fan setup, it looks stock and it puts out the juice - exactly what I wanted.

I've been running the unit for about 7 years - has worked flawlessly. They are good folks as well - highly recommend them.

The unit isn't cheap - but you definitely get what you pay for!

https://ejwhitneyco.com/automotive.html

JayChicago · 02-17-2025, 12:40 AM

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Have had Halogen sealed beams in my '40 without any change to the charging system. Could drive all night in stop-and-go traffic. Halogen sealed beams are a little brighter, a little whiter, and draw a little more current. Not enough more to be a problem, as long as the regulator is adjusted for good output of the generator. I assume would be same for Halogen bulbs.

Fritz · 02-17-2025, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayChicago

Have had Halogen sealed beams in my '40 without any change to the charging system. Could drive all night in stop-and-go traffic. Halogen sealed beams are a little brighter, a little whiter, and draw a little more current. Not enough more to be a problem, as long as the regulator is adjusted for good output of the generator. I assume would be same for Halogen bulbs.

This has been my experience as well with sealed beam halogens and a 1940 generator. I prefer the color and beam of halogens to the blue/white color of LED headlights. I also run relays to help my switches and make sure I get full voltage to the bulbs

blownford · 02-17-2025, 01:33 PM

I used a 6 volt alternator concealed in a generator housing made by E J Whitney. It has the fan mounted to the generator, looks stock,works great. They offer several options, voltage, pos or neg ground etc.
I've used it with both halogen and LED. LED is the way to go.

EJ Whitney Company 714-773-1611 I dealt with Tom, great guy!

Seth Swoboda · 02-18-2025, 10:26 AM

I could adjust the 3rd brush on my generator to put out more amps. I don't want to cook my battery though.

Bored&Stroked · 02-18-2025, 12:38 PM

You need to backup and first figure out what the AMP requirements/draw is for the lights you want to run. If your generator isn't putting more than that out, then you'll be drawing down your battery. As far as the generator cooking the battery - that will depend on the type of cutout or voltage regulator you have. Also, you don't want to overwork the generator . . . bad things can happen when they get too hot.

02-16-2025, 07:58 PM	#1
Seth Swoboda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 4,079	Generator for 6V halogen lights I converted my 1937 to 6-volt halogen lights. What kind of generator are you guys using with a fan on the generator? Something that will handle the additional load of the halogen headlights. The car is otherwise completely stock. Last edited by Seth Swoboda; 02-16-2025 at 08:46 PM.

02-16-2025, 08:38 PM	#2
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 4,290	Re: Genrator for 6V halogen lights I know it is a little late, but going with LED's seem to be the way to go. Less draw than regular lights. __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

02-16-2025, 08:44 PM	#3
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,040	Re: Genrator for 6V halogen lights I swapped halogen headlight bulbs into a 37 sedan years ago. I adjusted the generator to just keep up with the headlights when they were on, then added a Fun Projects regulator. The Fun Projects regulator didn't like the output of the V8 generator and died in a couple years. I swapped to a regular cut-out and replaced the third brush with a regulator built by a man who has since ceased production. The generator itself never had a problem with any of the above. I since sold the car to a friend of mine who has made no changes to the generator or lights, and he is having no problems either. I prefer halogen bulbs over LED bulbs. The halogen are full spectrum light without the weird shadows you get with LED, and they project further down the road than the LED bulbs I have seen for 35-39 Fords.

02-16-2025, 08:49 PM	#4
Seth Swoboda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 4,079	Re: Generator for 6V halogen lights I tried the LED bulbs from the guy everyone recommends. They would not fit my stock Ford headlight wiring harness. We went back and forth twice; I sent him a photo of the sockets and he told me I had Chrysler headlight sockets. At that point I politely moved on.

02-16-2025, 08:53 PM	#5
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,723	Re: Generator for 6V halogen lights Well, if comes down to the continuous AMP draw of the bulbs? Do you know what it is? Do you have an inductive amp meter than can measure it? What I did on my 32 cabriolet was take a 34 generator and I sent it to E.J. Whitney for their alternator conversion. The create a bit bigger middle section, graft an alternator into it, add a cutout that looks completely stock and it works fantastic. It has good bearings in it so I've had no problem with the 32 fan setup, it looks stock and it puts out the juice - exactly what I wanted. I've been running the unit for about 7 years - has worked flawlessly. They are good folks as well - highly recommend them. The unit isn't cheap - but you definitely get what you pay for! https://ejwhitneyco.com/automotive.html

02-17-2025, 12:40 AM	#6
JayChicago Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Chicago Posts: 926	Re: Generator for 6V halogen lights Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Have had Halogen sealed beams in my '40 without any change to the charging system. Could drive all night in stop-and-go traffic. Halogen sealed beams are a little brighter, a little whiter, and draw a little more current. Not enough more to be a problem, as long as the regulator is adjusted for good output of the generator. I assume would be same for Halogen bulbs. Last edited by JayChicago; 02-17-2025 at 12:55 AM.

02-17-2025, 01:33 PM	#8
blownford Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 65	Re: Generator for 6V halogen lights I used a 6 volt alternator concealed in a generator housing made by E J Whitney. It has the fan mounted to the generator, looks stock,works great. They offer several options, voltage, pos or neg ground etc. I've used it with both halogen and LED. LED is the way to go. EJ Whitney Company 714-773-1611 I dealt with Tom, great guy!

02-18-2025, 10:26 AM	#9
Seth Swoboda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 4,079	Re: Generator for 6V halogen lights I could adjust the 3rd brush on my generator to put out more amps. I don't want to cook my battery though.

02-18-2025, 12:38 PM	#10
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,723	Re: Generator for 6V halogen lights You need to backup and first figure out what the AMP requirements/draw is for the lights you want to run. If your generator isn't putting more than that out, then you'll be drawing down your battery. As far as the generator cooking the battery - that will depend on the type of cutout or voltage regulator you have. Also, you don't want to overwork the generator . . . bad things can happen when they get too hot.