Anyone got any good answers for dim halogen headlight conversion in my 35 ford tudor? I have new reflectors and new lenses and cant see 20 ft at night. There isnt really a line of light to try to aim - it just seems like the lens diffuses the light in all directions. The amber turn signals in them show great but I was stunned how bad this conversion is to illuminate the road.
Make sure that you have really good grounds. Also, did you use a relay to the lights or old wiring from the light switch? You might not be getting a full 12 volts with the draw of the Halogens.
Relay or relays is the only way to go with halogens the stock switch isn't going to like the amps they pull as a rule. get a direct 12V source as close to the relay as possible and run the wires from the relay to the light as short as possible. One other thing I am not sure what the conversion is in but I have seen fellas get the lenses in upside down and that really causes a problem on some of the older lights. Just some things to think about as you are trying to figure it out.
I have been reading up on this stuff for a while, and there seem to be plenty of bad options...I hope there are good ones somewhere. Available problems: Some repro reflectors are not parabolic and cannot really do anything coherent with light. Some halogen conversion kits put the bulb at wrong depth so the filament is not at the focal point of the parabola...again, hopeless. This is partially because the bulbs chosen cannot go far enough back in an early headlight shell to match up with reflectors that are close to stock... Drake has introduced a second generation of their kits that they say cure the problems while still using a common bulb...no idea if claims are true. I hope someone on here knows before I put up any money! It looks like they moved the bulb forward enough to fit in there and presumably rejiggered the parabola forward... I have heard best rig is the most expensive...original reflectors re-silvered or aluminized, with aftermarket "bright bulbs" that are closely equivalent to stockers. This also pretty much requires soldering new wire into the terminals of original inner light harness, as repros are very shaky at least for '32-4. Dunno about the '35 flange type. This outfit has gotten some good reviews working with Ford reflectors: http://classicandvintagebulbs.com/page2.html They do sell in the USA
I have all new wiring, new switch, and a relay next to the radiator for high beam and another for low beam. I tried to be very careful in providing good grounds. All connections crimped, soldered, and shrink tubed.
Can you show a picture of the lights? Was this just a bulb in an original style reflector, or a sealed halogen behind and original lens (have seen plenty of those) or some other set up?
I dont know the manufacturer but I purchased these from Midwest Early Ford. It is a quartzhalogen reflector kit with sockets installed #48-13027-qkts. I dont know what the bulb # was. The lens is 48-13060. Dont know if this helps. I do know it was a real pita to get everything assembled.
I quess my only option is to try Drakes new reflectors - but I've read where they are poor quality. Dont seem to be any other alternatives. Its not just the expense that annoys me but I dread having to reassembling them again. But they're worthless the way they are. Thanks for the input - I'll let you know how it works out.
Guess I got lucky doing mine, as they're very bright and work well. I just went to the wrecking yard and got the reflectors and sockets from a wrecked late model GM car, then cut the socket and about 3" area of the reflector out of them. Took a hole saw and cut the socket out of my stock reflectors and used pop rivets and JB Weld to install the new donor halogens into the back of my reflector. Then I just wired them into my system and they work as well as my wife's late model with halogens. Cheap too at a couple bucks each from the junkyard.
Wow you are lucky - but cleaver too! I took some pics but have to wait for the wife to get home to post them cause I'm a dummy with this stuff. You'd laugh your butt off watching me type this stuff.
In the bottom photo, the bulb is way too far forward for the focal point of the reflector. Most conversions that I have seen use an H4 bulb which is shorter an sit quite a bit further back. I would see if you can find an H4 conversion before you go spending money on new reflectors. Good Luck!
From the looks of things it appears that the socket should be behind the reflector (as they installed in a modern headlight and not sticking out in front of it. Not to highjack this thread, but its good too see another southern snowbelt person on the board. I grew up in Delevan, welcome to the HAMB!
In a factory halogen light that red ring is the water seal to keep moisture out. Only the very base of the bulb socket sticks out into the reflector. Your set up is way too far out to get anything good out of.
I remounted the bulbs from the rear and its a big improvement.. I'll road test this weekend. I dont know what number the bulbs are (came with the kit) but apparently not H4. If they are still dim I'll try H4.
A stock off the self common H-4 is like a 55 watt. There are better ones availible, 65, 85, 100 watt. You can get a lot more light from the brighter bulbs. You already have the relays so the additional current should not be a problem.
When I stuck some junkyard-sourced Halogen units in my '34 headlights, the dip beam was great, but high beam just shone out sideways. As others have said, and as I understand it, the original shape reflectors are not optimised for the H4 bulbs, but some experimentation with their mounting depth should get you something useable.
Also remember that the original silver reflectors are what is needed for proper focus. The (NEW)chrome jobs just look nice and shiny but chrome is not a good reflector for a light bulb. Ask any old Chrome plater. Iceman
This business does the correct QH bulb to suit your reflector. Focus is the key along with good reflectors. Did a great job on my OEM 35 Chev headlamps. You can actually see at night and on the highway. www.classicandvintagebulbs.com
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