The Ford Barn

Thearne3 · 01-08-2023, 03:37 PM

Greetings all!

Santa brought me a pair of the Logolite focused beam LEDs and I’m confused re alignment. In the May/June Restorer, the authors set the top of the LOW beam to the line specified in the Ford Bulletins (39.5” for a 30/31). The Bulletins specify the HIGH beam to this level. They properly aligned the original bulbs to the HIGH beam mark and left that alignment for the LEDs, but since the focused beam LEDs do not rely on the reflector, they aligned the headlights as described above.

My question is “Why?” Why not align the focused beam using the HIGH? The test (Figure 11) confirms their alignment. It seems to me that this setting would be blinding for oncoming drivers, most of whom will have eye level less than 40” above the pavement. The test of modern headlights show the low beam topping out at less than 2’.

I did a few searches, but found nothing on this topic…sorry if it’s been covered!

The Master Cylinder · 01-08-2023, 08:38 PM

I really don't have an answer for you but it seemed to me my Logo lights were adjusted too high. What I did is pull the car out on a level street and adjust them to where I thought they looked the best on low beam without blinding anyone coming at me. I didn't take any measurements.

Gufshoz · 01-08-2023, 09:10 PM

I didn't measure mine, either. I used my garage door as my basic target, then took a drive. I had my wife (driving another vehicle) simulate an oncoming vehicle to check that I wasn't shining into the other driver's eyes. I absolutely love the illumination of the road that I get with my focused LED's. I switched from sealed beam headlights which were not a whole lot better than driving with a flashlight.

Bill G · 01-08-2023, 09:16 PM

I parked my modern car next to the Model A facing the garage door at about 30 feet out. I adjusted the low beam of the Model A so that the cut-off line of the beam matched that of the modern car.

Badpuppy · 01-09-2023, 10:24 AM

Horses led by humans have no problem with 39.5"; Miatas and Maseratis probably do. Use your best judgment.

Thearne3 · 01-10-2023, 11:49 AM

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Thanks for the replies...

Since the low vs high is no longer a function of the geometry of the headlamp/reflector, I think the group wisdom is correct: make the low beam the 'focus' of the adjustment, balancing illumination with consideration of oncoming traffic. It's just a fact of life that there is high variation in sitting position (think Ferarri vs Mack truck) on modern roads. Any relatively low vehicle is going to be blinded by a higher set of lights as they get within 30 or 40'.

For me, setting the high beam as per the Bulletins yields road illumination in low beam only about 25 feet ahead - too short for safety. My current setting is a 'hair' down from dead level. This is higher than what some have measured for stock lights (1/2 bubble), but lower than the Restorer article (5 deg up). I hope to corral a friend to make a final adjustment, but so far so good.

01-08-2023, 03:37 PM	#1
Thearne3 Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Redding, CT Posts: 75	Alignment of Focused Beam LED Greetings all! Santa brought me a pair of the Logolite focused beam LEDs and I’m confused re alignment. In the May/June Restorer, the authors set the top of the LOW beam to the line specified in the Ford Bulletins (39.5” for a 30/31). The Bulletins specify the HIGH beam to this level. They properly aligned the original bulbs to the HIGH beam mark and left that alignment for the LEDs, but since the focused beam LEDs do not rely on the reflector, they aligned the headlights as described above. My question is “Why?” Why not align the focused beam using the HIGH? The test (Figure 11) confirms their alignment. It seems to me that this setting would be blinding for oncoming drivers, most of whom will have eye level less than 40” above the pavement. The test of modern headlights show the low beam topping out at less than 2’. I did a few searches, but found nothing on this topic…sorry if it’s been covered!

01-08-2023, 08:38 PM	#2
The Master Cylinder Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 888	Re: Alignment of Focused Beam LED I really don't have an answer for you but it seemed to me my Logo lights were adjusted too high. What I did is pull the car out on a level street and adjust them to where I thought they looked the best on low beam without blinding anyone coming at me. I didn't take any measurements. __________________ The Master Cylinder Enjoying life at the beach in SoCal...

01-08-2023, 09:10 PM	#3
Gufshoz Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Gulf Shores, AL Posts: 78	Re: Alignment of Focused Beam LED I didn't measure mine, either. I used my garage door as my basic target, then took a drive. I had my wife (driving another vehicle) simulate an oncoming vehicle to check that I wasn't shining into the other driver's eyes. I absolutely love the illumination of the road that I get with my focused LED's. I switched from sealed beam headlights which were not a whole lot better than driving with a flashlight.

01-08-2023, 09:16 PM	#4
Bill G Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Walla Walla, WA Posts: 1,046	Re: Alignment of Focused Beam LED I parked my modern car next to the Model A facing the garage door at about 30 feet out. I adjusted the low beam of the Model A so that the cut-off line of the beam matched that of the modern car.

01-09-2023, 10:24 AM	#5
Badpuppy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Guthrie, OK Posts: 1,150	Re: Alignment of Focused Beam LED Horses led by humans have no problem with 39.5"; Miatas and Maseratis probably do. Use your best judgment.

01-10-2023, 11:49 AM	#6
Thearne3 Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Redding, CT Posts: 75	Re: Alignment of Focused Beam LED Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for the replies... Since the low vs high is no longer a function of the geometry of the headlamp/reflector, I think the group wisdom is correct: make the low beam the 'focus' of the adjustment, balancing illumination with consideration of oncoming traffic. It's just a fact of life that there is high variation in sitting position (think Ferarri vs Mack truck) on modern roads. Any relatively low vehicle is going to be blinded by a higher set of lights as they get within 30 or 40'. For me, setting the high beam as per the Bulletins yields road illumination in low beam only about 25 feet ahead - too short for safety. My current setting is a 'hair' down from dead level. This is higher than what some have measured for stock lights (1/2 bubble), but lower than the Restorer article (5 deg up). I hope to corral a friend to make a final adjustment, but so far so good.