cowell lights

[Licensed to kill]

Likely a stupid question but what was the intended purpose of the cowell lights?

[JohnLaVoy]

parking lights

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

[QUOTE=JohnLaVoy;1382151]parking lights[/QUOTE
Dog here,
Wuldn't it be obvious, if the car's sitten' STILL, it's "PARKED"? I only sit STILL, whin I'm SLEEPING!
Buster T.

[100IH]

Years ago, European and possibly American laws about parking a vehicle at night time at the side of the road required some lighting be on while parked. Often including the requirement to have the lighting at the front and rear. Roads were narrow, driveways were non-existant and there were no street lights. In the 1950's, European cars had the ability to park the car at the side of the road and leave the front and rear lamps on only on the street side, low wattage lamps as in turn signals but not flashing. Here in the US before DOT, the states all called their own standards. City driving laws and country driving laws were very different issues because of growing street lighting in the cities. Then there was the issue of driving at dusk. Only common sense rules applied, and safety was always a consern. Cowl lights served to let others see you in the low light or when parked. A deluxe accessory that gave a needed feel of safety when it was most needed.

[Capt Quahog]

To my knowledge, the cowl lights are "suppose to" function independently from the headlights. Used to run a 1930 Ford at dusk with just cowl lights. That car had no socket in the headlights for the other bulbs. Though the 31' Ford we now have is a DELUXE model with factory installed cowl lights, the headlights apparently have the STANDARD "parking" light set which "incorrectly" also switch on with the cowl lights. Photo to the left shows that car with both cowl and parking lamps illuminated. Please correct me if wrong, but as recalled, correct head light buckets for the DELUXE models have no parking lights. There is only high and low beam. Have I got that right?

[Tom Wesenberg]

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Correct, when you have cowl lights you should have ONE bulb reflectors.

[Pomeroy41144]

On Model A cars how do the Cowl Lights function?

Are the Cowl Lights illuminated separately with their own switch?

Or do they operate in conjunction with the Park Lights?

How did they function originally, right out of the factory?

The post above did not really clear it up for me.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Pomeroy41144

On Model A cars how do the Cowl Lights function?

With the light switch turned to the left one notch.

Are the Cowl Lights illuminated separately with their own switch?

No, they use the light switch turned one notch to the left. Headlights to the right.

Or do they operate in conjunction with the Park Lights?

If the car was equipped with cowl lights it did not have parking lights. The headlight reflector had only the headlight socket (one hole reflector).

How did they function originally, right out of the factory?

They functioned good.

The post above did not really clear it up for me.

Hope that clears it up some.

Sometime over the years my Town Sedan aquired two hole reflectors in the headlight, but the sockets were never wired. I now use those sockets with amber bulbs for my front turn signals.

[CHuDWah]

Originally Posted by Capt Quahog

correct head light buckets for the DELUXE models have no parking lights

This is not directed exclusively to Capt Quahog, but the quote brings up a question - were cowl lights standard equipment on all DeLuxe models?

AFAIK, cowl lights were standard on some models and were a factory and/or dealer installed extra-cost option on others. It is correct that cars with cowl lights weren't supposed to have parking lights in the headlights. However, if a dealer installed the cowl lights, I wonder if they always bothered to change the headlights.

[Kurt in NJ]

dealer installed they had to go into the wiring harness to get the connection, perhaps cut the wire
(too much labor time to take apart the switch), also most likely the cowl lights came without bulb---the bulb got taken out of the headlight because of cost probably

[Licensed to kill]

Thanks for all the replys. I think i will wire mine to ignition and use them as daytime running lights.

[CT Jack]

I have my cowl lights on a seperate hidden toggle switch under the dash. I also have them as my front turn signal lights. I had to do this because of the unpredictable shorting problem with the poorly made aftermarket light switch assembly. The cowl lights have LED's in them making them very visible.

[bnchief]

I put cowl lights on my 30 tudor to use as turn signals and did not want to put modern turn signals on since they look cheap to me I used a toggle switch for the turn signal from tyree harris as well as his wiring harness to make it all work.

[Licensed to kill]

I considered using the cowell lights as turn signals but My '31 pickup has the turn signals inside the headlights and I will do the same with the DD. Everyone is so used to seeing daytime running lights that I feel they have become necessary for safety as some people may not see a vehicle without them anymore. That is why I am going to use the CL for DTRL.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Licensed to kill

Everyone is so used to seeing daytime running lights that I feel they have become necessary for safety as some people may not see a vehicle without them anymore. That is why I am going to use the CL for DTRL.

So what's wrong with just driving with your headlights on, like motorcycles... Either driving with headlights or cowl light is a good thing as it also turns on your tail lights. Drivers coming up behind me are more of a concern, for me anyway, than ones in front of me

[Licensed to kill]

Absolutely nothing wrong with driving with the headlights on providing I remember to turn them on then turn them back off again. I will be wiring the headlights on both my '31 pickup and the wife's 28 sedan as DTRL because I KNOW I will forget them on if left manual. Since I will have cowell lights on the DD, I will use them instead. I'm not concerned about tail lights as they are so small that they would be hard to see in daylight anyway and people aren't USED to looking for them like they are for headlights during the day.

[Y-Blockhead]

FYI, LED tail lights show up quite well in daylight.

Originally Posted by Licensed to kill

I think I will wire mine to ignition and use them as daytime running lights.

Let us know how that works out.

[Licensed to kill]

I should note that mine are 2 hotrods and a retomod. I'm not working with stock originals.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by Licensed to kill

Absolutely nothing wrong with driving with the headlights on providing I remember to turn them on then turn them back off again...

Just get one of these:

(I know, I know, It's in a GM wrapper, but it's not a GM part.)

[Willie Krash]

I have sold thousands of DTRL and read all the studies. I don't know if cowl lights will be effective in full sunlight, Your comment about taillights not being effective is correct.
The issue with not running them during the day is you can can become "masked" by the other cars that do have them. You can become invisible to the eye for too long and that is dangerous. Cars can pull out in front of you as they don't see you in the distance. We are like bugs our eyes go to the lights,
I would go with bright LED's. No heat, minimal current and long life.
An incandescent bulb just doesn't have enough candle power.

[Capt Quahog]

Back in the 1960s, much of my spare time was spent skulking around ancient barns and other dark places looking for pre-war Fords. Many of the Model A cars found then had been long before retro-fitted with "sealed beam" headlights. Abandonment of the original Mazda bulb type headlights through into the 1950s looks to have been a popular upgrade. Along with "juice brake" conversions, the headlight upgrade was considered a "safety" issue for then modern day driving.

Acquired a crisp driver 1929 Ford tudor in year 1970 that had sealed beam replacement headlights mounted. It was easy then to purchase an excellent complete set of original headlights at the antique car flea market for $15. Remember old timers in those days being mortified that we young goofballs would be so crazy as to strip off those modern style beams and reinstall primitive original lighting with the crude reflectors and bulbs.

Have driven Model A Ford cars many hundreds of miles over the decades. All had original type headlight sets with the bulbs. With decent reflectors and correctly adjusted beam, those lights suited my needs and functioned as intended. Nowadays, the 31' Ford is used for local runs to hardware store and occasional weekend yard sale cruising.

Then too . . . with the setup on our car, it's probably possible to install LED bulbs for the full HEADLIGHTS and leave both COWL and PARKING LAMPS as old style bulbs.

[5window]

It's true that the Model A is an American Idol, but you might want to change the title to the correct spelling-Cowl Lights. Of course, your way certainly gets more attention.

[ian Simpson]

Originally Posted by Licensed to kill

Likely a stupid question but what was the intended purpose of the cowell lights?

To keep Simon's name out there.

[old31]

Originally Posted by CT Jack

I have my cowl lights on a seperate hidden toggle switch under the dash. I also have them as my front turn signal lights. I had to do this because of the unpredictable shorting problem with the poorly made aftermarket light switch assembly. The cowl lights have LED's in them making them very visible.

What did you use for LED's?

I am currently using the parking lamps for both directional and parking lights. I looked before and could not find an LED to work.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by old31

What did you use for LED's?

I am currently using the parking lamps for both directional and parking lights. I looked before and could not find an LED to work.

Snyders:

http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/led-cowl-lamp-lens

[ian Simpson]

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For a good selection of LED lights try http://www.dynamoregulatorconversions.com/. They are located in the UK and are not inexpensive but they have the best selection I have found for classic cars.

[old31]

Originally Posted by CarlG

Snyders:

http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/led-cowl-lamp-lens

Yes, I saw that but it was for only 12 V, I have 6 V.

[modelAtony]

Originally Posted by Pomeroy41144

On Model A cars how do the Cowl Lights function?

Are the Cowl Lights illuminated separately with their own switch?

Or do they operate in conjunction with the Park Lights?

How did they function originally, right out of the factory?

The post above did not really clear it up for me.

cowl lights ARE turned on with seperate switch.
Cowl lamps were standard on the Town Car. They were offered on all other body styles at Ford. The cowl wiring had a SWITCH mounted system. the switch was part A13335 and the cowl light switch wiring assy was part A14429. Have fun modelAtony tony white Lafayette, LA

[CarlG]

Just 'cause I wanted to, my pickup has cowl lights. They are wired to be on (dim) any time any lights are on, and to flash bright for turn signals or emergency flashers.

[Lowell Fast]

"cowl wiring had a SWITCH mounted system. the switch was part A13335 "

Where was this switch mounted ?

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Lowell Fast

"cowl wiring had a SWITCH mounted system. the switch was part A13335 "

Where was this switch mounted ?

I saw the answer to that about a year ago, and wonder if it wasn't in the SERVICE BULLETINS?

[jkflathead]

Could you get cowl lights from the factory on a 1930 pickup?

[100IH]

Pretty sure the selling dealer would have that job and not the assembly line. The line must keep moving without interruptions. Just an opinion.

[nhusa]

MY 31 town sedan has a big rear seat.
When I was in HS many years ago I used the A when I went on dates.

You figure out why they call them parking lights!

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Licensed to kill

Likely a stupid question but what was the intended purpose of the cowell lights?

Cowl lights were to produce enough light to park your car without shining the main and much brighter headlights into on coming traffic as you parallel parked your car.

[CarlG]

I have mine wired to come on any time the headlights are on. I just like the way they light up the front of the vehicle.