VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1916-1922 - Model 490 When did Chevrolet first deliver headlight dim?

I searched the web but with little success. Found this, however:

Much of the same equipment was found in the Four-Ninety as the FB Touring vehicle, but the Four-Ninety also included a dome and headlight dimmer.

But is this true??

My 1920 490 Touring has an on and dim light switch.

Kevin S.

1929 was the first to have a dimmer switch for the high and low beams.

The dim position on the lighting and ignition switch is not a high beam / low beam function. The dim position on the switch passes the current to the light bulbs through a resistor coil mounted on the back of the switch, and reduces the voltage to the bulb and makes the lights Dim.

Jack is correct.

I can use, thank you all.

The 1916 490 used a Connecticut 4 plug combination Lighting and Ignition Switch that used a resistor to give the headlamps what the Instruction Manual called a "Tail Light with Head Lights Dim." It was a single bulb, 2 wire systems with the second wire used as the ground wire, since the 490 was not suitable for a chassis ground system. In the 1916 Model H Parts List is shows a second wire is used to connect a head light "Intermediate" second bulb in the 2 bulb head light system, but I can't find this position named the "Dim" in any 1916 Model Literature. The 1917-1919 Model D was the first wiring diagram that shows a 2 bulb 2 wire system with the head lights ground to the chassis. It used a Auto-Lite round lighting combination Switch with the "Dim" position on the switch.
kenK

Hi Ken Is there a wiring diagram for 1917 - 1919så I could well imagine one copy if it was possible. Thank you in advance.

A wiring diagram has been emailed.

What wiring diagram did you send Jens? The earliest I found that had "DIM" label on the combination switch but without the resister on the back of the switch was the Auto-Lite switch used on the Model D with the wiring diagram showing a two light, 2 wire system with the head lights grounded.
kenK

Ken , i sent a 1920 490 single wire circuit with the resistor coil on the back of the lighting switch.

Since we're talking ignition/headlamp switches, this might be a good time to ask again if anyone else has a switch like the one on my 1920 St Louis-built touring car.

1920 Chevy 490 Ignition Switch

I've looked at every '20 490 I've come across and never found another one like it.

Your switch is a Connecticut ignition special switch type 32-Y for Chevrolet. The pin is a 1115-C

There is also a reference to your type of switch in my 1920 parts list.

46800 Lighting and ignition switch plug, for round two Button type switch.

Keep your switch as it a nice item, and does give you that little bit of difference with other 490's.
Maybe the switch is listed in a 1919 parts book if anyone has one of those.

Jack - I found PN46800 in my 1921 Parts List, but there was no photo so I didn't know what it was. It's listed at all of $.30 in the 1922 Price List - which doesn't seem possible for such an elaborate switch.

In any event, I repaired it best I could and plan to re-use it. I built up the crumbling bakelite with JB Weld, and added liquid wire insulator to the bare dimmer wires.

46800 is just for the Pin, but it does show that it was a recognised switch by Chevrolet. That is why i thought the switch itself may be listed in a 1919 parts list.

My 1920 is Magneto ignition , so i have no idea what sort of lighting and ignition switch was used with that type of system.No reference anywhere in any parts books, but i do have the Berling magneto manual which does show how to connect it up.

Jack - Thanks for the info on my ignition switch. What source did you use to determine that it's a "Connecticut ignition special switch type 32-Y for Chevrolet"?

Connecticut Ignition parts manual , 1923 edition

The resistance coil on the back of light switch works by dissipating the electrical current as heat, that is why it has / had a loose woven covering over it.

Jack - I added a thin coat of liquid insulator because the woven covering was missing in several places. I doubt it will prevent heat dissipation - but it will keep the wires from shorting.

Once again, thanks for the info.