6 volt Headlight Beam Distance ??

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, just got from a night ride with the 47, and all is well, .

My question is this, on low beam, my beam distance is not very far, the light is bright, but not too far.

On high beam it is much better, but something tells me to try and do another headlight aim.

Should a 6 volt sealed beam cast as much light in distance as the same type of 12 volt sealed beam. My Headlights are very bright, new wiring, good connections and good ground connections.

I still love the speedo going from a green hue to red hue, still very neat.

I did not go overly fast, as there are tons of whitetail Deer roaming around here this time of year.

Any suggestions appreciated

[TodFitch]

I believe that the PAR56 automotive headlight bulbs are all aimed the same regardless of voltage.

The procedure I used is basically the same as given in the 1946-54 Plymouth factory service manual on pages 105 and 106.

[michael.warshaw]

i got the hirsch auto halogen lights work good from what ive seen.

[Plymouthy Adams]

our old 6 volt bulbs of this era are 45/35 watts ..not quite up to todays lighting..I believe the 12 volt sealed beams are 55/45W..even the halogen 6 volts bulbs were just 45/40W

[james49ply]

I just converted mine from 6volt to 12 volt, the 6volt bulbs (one was origional with the circle in the center, brightness was very good, and after the switch found no difference in brightness nor distance. most 12 volt bulbs are 55W low beam 60W high beam, but I have seen some as high as 65Wlow and 80W high:eek:, but belive these not to be run on public hyways.

[TodFitch]

our old 6 volt bulbs of this era are 45/35 watts ..not quite up to todays lighting..I believe the 12 volt sealed beams are 55/45W..even the halogen 6 volts bulbs were just 45/40W

The currently available 6006 (6v) bulb has the same wattage rating as the 6012 (12v) bulb. A 6014 has a bit more power than the 6012. See: http://www.ply33.com/Backmatter/lightbulbs#6006

It is true that the precursor to the 6006 that was available in the 1950s had less output but the current 6v bulbs are higher power.

Also, the post that started the thread indicated that the lights were bright, just not aimed as far down the road as was expected.

[martybose]

our old 6 volt bulbs of this era are 45/35 watts ..not quite up to todays lighting..I believe the 12 volt sealed beams are 55/45W..even the halogen 6 volts bulbs were just 45/40W

Not necessarily true; the 6V halogens that I had until a few years ago were 60/55W. I had to install 6V relays because the added wattage was smoking the headlight switch!

Marty

[Plymouthy Adams]

not to argue but read the defining word in my entry, the 6 volt halogens I mentioned were of "our era" and not those of the later European etc etc..I have a set of these at the house...also I mentioned the older bulbs..also of the era of which I have at the house...these were the industry standard DOT bulbs ...at no time did I say anything about the modern bulbs being made today as direct replacements..there are tons of different lamps/bulbs in various wattage available..lots are not road use legal..so yes as the years progressed lighitng improved and mostly this was in wattage..the parabolic reflector has remained basically unchaged till just recently with the new H4 designs with flat face lenses of acrylic with composite mirrored facetted surface on the reflector..

if you think what I am am saying is not correct then refer to your service manual..I still have a large number of serviceable old style original lamps..even bulleyes...a lot of other folks have the same..

[martybose]

not to argue but read the defining word in my entry, the 6 volt halogens I mentioned were of "our era" and not those of the later European etc etc..I have a set of these at the house...also I mentioned the older bulbs..also of the era of which I have at the house...these were the industry standard DOT bulbs ...at no time did I say anything about the modern bulbs being made today as direct replacements..there are tons of different lamps/bulbs in various wattage available..lots are not road use legal..so yes as the years progressed lighitng improved and mostly this was in wattage.

Maybe (almost likely!) I'm wrong, but I didn't think they had halogen headlights until the timeframe that 60/55W was the norm for tungsten headlights. If there were 45/40W halogens (6V or 12V) I guess I just missed them!

Marty

[Plymouthy Adams]

I went to the shop and pulled the lamps this evening..guess what..one is 45/40 and the other is 60/45 now the killer is they have the H4 mounting base..but the closest thing I can find online in a picture says they are are a P45T w/H4 base so Marty you are correct about the tungsten element but I claim honest mistake to remembering the H4 bases..I had logged the base style and wattage as I expected to use this for my 6 volt car....as I took both from a matching set of H4 headlamp assemblies...I figured they were a matching wattage also..me was wrong on that ..guess I should not rely on memory especially since it has been over a year since I had them in my hand..

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, my sealed beams are baout 2 years old, and I think they are most likely 40/45 watt.

I adjusted the headlight aim tonight, did not follow instructions, just adjusted them in at the top, and a little out on the sides.

Then went on my dark gravel road to tweak, much better, light beam is cast much further and wider than before.

I figured I should update, as I prefer to see the authour of a thread come to a conclusion, at some point on an issue.........Fred

[P-12 Tommy]

I went to the shop and pulled the lamps this evening..guess what..one is 45/40 and the other is 60/45 now the killer is they have the H4 mounting base..but the closest thing I can find online in a picture says they are are a P45T w/H4 base so Marty you are correct about the tungsten element but I claim honest mistake to remembering the H4 bases..I had logged the base style and wattage as I expected to use this for my 6 volt car....as I took both from a matching set of H4 headlamp assemblies...I figured they were a matching wattage also..me was wrong on that ..guess I should not rely on memory especially since it has been over a year since I had them in my hand..

Naw... it's just that old guy crap kickin' in. lol:D:D

Tom

[TodFitch]

Hi all, my sealed beams are baout 2 years old, and I think they are most likely 40/45 watt.

I adjusted the headlight aim tonight, did not follow instructions, just adjusted them in at the top, and a little out on the sides.

Then went on my dark gravel road to tweak, much better, light beam is cast much further and wider than before.

I figured I should update, as I prefer to see the authour of a thread come to a conclusion, at some point on an issue.........Fred

Glad to hear that properly aimed you have better lighting of the road.

If you sealed beams are about 2 years old then I'd guess they are number 6006 which are rated at 50 watts for high beam and 40 watts for low beam.

Thats twice the wattage as the bulbs in my 1933 which got me the last 150 miles home tonight after it got dark.