The Ford Barn

Terry, NJ · 06-01-2015, 08:38 PM

I have a new 30 coupe in fairly nice shape. Almost everything works on it. So I was playing with the lights and the left headlight (Original) burned out. I found another bulb, replaced the burned out one and it burned out too. Then the right hand headlamp burned out too. They are 6V The car is 6V and they're burning out like the car was a 12V This is a new situation to me. Never heard of this. Thanks in advance! Terry

MikeK · 06-01-2015, 09:06 PM

Original generator? If so, the only voltage regulation relies on a solid clean low resistance connection to both ground and the battery. A poor connection can result in high voltage to the light switch while running at speed.

Check/ clean all wiring connections from the generator cutout to the starter lug, to the battery and the battery posts. Then check the genny to engine ground (loose mount bolt?), engine to frame (pans or added ground from tranny to frame), and the battery ground strap frame bolt.

Of course, the third brush could also be set for too high an output.

Mike V. Florida · 06-01-2015, 10:33 PM

What is the genny putting out in way of voltage?

dumb person · 06-02-2015, 03:40 AM

Bad earth connection maybe.

Kurt in NJ · 06-02-2015, 06:52 AM

Do you have a fuse on the starter---connected between the generator and the battery ---when I first put my car on the road I thought I had to have a fuse---but the fuse holder connections caused the bulbs to burn out and a small fire inside the generator ---then the car had to be towed, the only time it has ever been towed home ---got rid of the fuse, no problems since

compare the voltage at the generator to the battery, if there is a difference of 0.5V while at fast idle (charging) work through the system to find the bad connection (starter, 2 posts of terminal box--
the ground side I check from the cutout mounting screw to batt ground

Terry, NJ · 06-02-2015, 07:35 AM

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Kurt, It has a fuse! But I will check the voltages also. All of the suggestions seem plausible.
Terry

Bruce_MO · 06-02-2015, 12:55 PM

I burned out a pile of headlight bulbs years ago when I was 17, and found that the connections on the posts at the terminal box were loose. I hadn't put nuts on the posts UNDER the cover to secure the connections... assumed that the wing nuts that held the cover on were all that was needed. Put the nuts on and all was good. You just have a loose connection somewhere that's causing too much resistance... Ohm's Law... I = V/R

06-01-2015, 08:38 PM	#1
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,740	This is nuts (Electrical) I have a new 30 coupe in fairly nice shape. Almost everything works on it. So I was playing with the lights and the left headlight (Original) burned out. I found another bulb, replaced the burned out one and it burned out too. Then the right hand headlamp burned out too. They are 6V The car is 6V and they're burning out like the car was a 12V This is a new situation to me. Never heard of this. Thanks in advance! Terry

06-01-2015, 09:06 PM	#2
MikeK Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Windy City Posts: 2,919	Re: This is nuts (Electrical) Original generator? If so, the only voltage regulation relies on a solid clean low resistance connection to both ground and the battery. A poor connection can result in high voltage to the light switch while running at speed. Check/ clean all wiring connections from the generator cutout to the starter lug, to the battery and the battery posts. Then check the genny to engine ground (loose mount bolt?), engine to frame (pans or added ground from tranny to frame), and the battery ground strap frame bolt. Of course, the third brush could also be set for too high an output.

06-01-2015, 10:33 PM	#3
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: This is nuts (Electrical) What is the genny putting out in way of voltage? __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

06-02-2015, 03:40 AM	#4
dumb person Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South pacific island Posts: 1,724	Re: This is nuts (Electrical) Bad earth connection maybe. __________________ <Link> This is how we roll<Link> "I'm Convinced that no one really reads posts anymore; they just fabricate what they think the post says then ramble on about red herrings."--Bob Outcasts rules of old cars #1 Fun is imperative, mainstream is overrated #2 If they think it is impossible, prove them wrong #3 If the science says it impossible you are not being creative enough. #4 No shame in recreating something you never had #5 If it were not for the law & physics you would be unstoppable

06-02-2015, 06:52 AM	#5
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: This is nuts (Electrical) Do you have a fuse on the starter---connected between the generator and the battery ---when I first put my car on the road I thought I had to have a fuse---but the fuse holder connections caused the bulbs to burn out and a small fire inside the generator ---then the car had to be towed, the only time it has ever been towed home ---got rid of the fuse, no problems since compare the voltage at the generator to the battery, if there is a difference of 0.5V while at fast idle (charging) work through the system to find the bad connection (starter, 2 posts of terminal box-- the ground side I check from the cutout mounting screw to batt ground

06-02-2015, 07:35 AM	#6
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,740	Re: This is nuts (Electrical) Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Kurt, It has a fuse! But I will check the voltages also. All of the suggestions seem plausible. Terry

06-02-2015, 12:55 PM	#7
Bruce_MO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 433	Re: This is nuts (Electrical) I burned out a pile of headlight bulbs years ago when I was 17, and found that the connections on the posts at the terminal box were loose. I hadn't put nuts on the posts UNDER the cover to secure the connections... assumed that the wing nuts that held the cover on were all that was needed. Put the nuts on and all was good. You just have a loose connection somewhere that's causing too much resistance... Ohm's Law... I = V/R