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Old 06-11-2018, 10:17 AM   #1
burner31
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Default Which filament is low beam?

Which filament is which on a 6V bulb?
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Old 06-11-2018, 10:33 AM   #2
Tom Wesenberg
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Default 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.
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Old 06-11-2018, 10:48 AM   #3
Bob C
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Default Re: Which filament is low beam?

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.


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Old 06-11-2018, 10:55 AM   #4
Merc Cruzer
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Default 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.
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Old 06-11-2018, 12:54 PM   #5
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Default 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.
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Old 06-11-2018, 08:12 PM   #6
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: Which filament is low beam?

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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.
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Old 06-11-2018, 09:13 PM   #7
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Default 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.
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Old 06-11-2018, 11:52 PM   #8
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Default Re: Which filament is low beam?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg View Post
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."

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Originally Posted by redmodelt View Post
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.
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Old 06-12-2018, 01:35 AM   #9
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Default Re: Which filament is low beam?

Thank you Tom, thank you Mike...and thank you all
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Old 06-12-2018, 08:31 AM   #10
BILL WILLIAMSON
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Default 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"!
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Old 06-12-2018, 10:03 AM   #11
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Default 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????)
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Old 06-12-2018, 06:05 PM   #12
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Default Re: Which filament is low beam?

Down under we have too put them up the other way?
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Old 06-13-2018, 09:56 AM   #13
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Default Re: Which filament is low beam?

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Down under we have too put them up the other way?
Might as well. Everything there swirls the wrong way anyhow.
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Old 06-13-2018, 09:22 PM   #14
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Default Re: Which filament is low beam?

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Originally Posted by Badpuppy View Post
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.
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Old 06-14-2018, 01:51 AM   #15
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Default Re: Which filament is low beam?

I was thinking of going to Australia once...until I seen what panda's REALLY look like
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Old 06-14-2018, 08:55 AM   #16
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Default Re: Which filament is low beam?

Quote:
Originally Posted by updraught View Post
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.)
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Old 06-14-2018, 09:29 AM   #17
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Default Re: Which filament is low beam?

Yes, the small filament is low beam
Now to get them focused
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Old 06-14-2018, 11:42 AM   #18
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Default Re: Which filament is low beam?

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Yes, the small filament is low beam
Thanks. I'll go swap mine now.
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Old 06-14-2018, 11:28 PM   #19
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Default Re: Which filament is low beam?

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

Beats milking cows
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Old 07-14-2018, 09:28 AM   #20
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Default Re: Which filament is low beam?

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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.
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