VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 6 volt halogen headlight bulb

Hello everyone,

The Filling Station had sent me a "tech tip" about replacing my generator with an alternator if I use 6 volt halogen head light bulbs. The tip says the generator can not keep up with the power needed to power them.

I have driven the car in the past after dark and wasn't happy about the intensity of the light produced. As part of my safety up-grades I purchased a set of these bulbs but have not installed them as of yet because I'm currently dealing with a clutch issue.

Has anyone made this change and if so, did you have to change the charging system to keep ahead of the power draw of these bulbs ? ?

https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/242241/6V_halogen_headlights#Post242241 It has been discussed and as I remember, OK with stock stuff.

I have 6V Halogen with 6V /alternator..Love it.

Thanks guys,

It seems that lately as I try to bring this car up to road worthy standards I'm taking two steps back for everyone step forward. I'm beginning to think my Dad and "Uncle" are testing me.

dfd:

There's a set of them in my 48 Fleetmaster. My generator seems to keep up with them OK.


Regards:
Oldengineer

I haven't tried them. The sealed beams seem to light up the road well enough for the speed I drive. I don't do much night driving, though.

Only when someone is on my bumper and won't pass (even though there is ample opportunity to do so) do I feel intimidated enough to want to go faster and, then only up to the speed limit. At these times, I wish I had a 235 or 261 in the car. Then I could mash the accelerator pedal to the floorboards and leave them in my dust. And, risk getting a citation. As it is, I have to find a place to pull over and let them go on.

I suppose a higher output 6-volt generator may be a solution.

Excellent question you have posed.

Charlie

You got that right...my 235 is so powerful it scares me. It's almost like a ZR-1 or 427/L88. When I push down on the gas the whole car shakes from the massive torque...

WAKE UP HONEY !!...Oh ,I'm sorry ,I was taking a little nap and having a dream...smiles

The one wire 6 volt alt. is the way to go. Plenty of juice to run chrome accessories.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tractor-6-v...ries&hash=item4d014ea09a&vxp=mtr

FS is correct that you may have issues.. a stock 2331 32 CP bulb uses 4A and produces 25W. 6V halogen bulbs in the 55W range will draw 9A each. A healthy 6V generator will produce 25A and minus 2x9A doesn't leave a whole lot for everything else.. like maybe brake lights. 10' of wire to carry 9A form the dimmer to the headlights must be 16 gauge which I believe the stock harness has.

Mike

Hello Charlie,

Can a generators output be increased ? ? If so, how would it be done and are there kits available to do this ? ?

If not, is there a generator from a different model Chevrolet that has a higher output that could be swapped in ? ?

Hello Mike,

When I was making repairs to some of the wiring passing under the radiator (I found cut and twisted back together in a couple of places along the same length of wire) I peeled back the cloth covering and using my wire strippers I carefully closed the gauge section for stripping on the bare wire to see what gauge it could be. The 16 awg cutting hole actually cut some strands while the 14 awg fit the bare wire strands snug without cutting any strands. So with that info I think the system is 14 awg wire and I replaced bad sections of wire with modern 600v black stranded 14 awg wire. I used butt splices and shrink tube to make the repair and covered everything in black cloth hockey tape so it would appear old.
I do plan to replace the entire wire harness as funds permit.
I am repeating myself when I say Thank you all for your help. It is greatly appreciated.

I saw a post a long time ago about tweaking the voltage regulator from 6 volts to 7.5 or even 8 volts. The guy who made the post said in didn't hurt anything and it increased the output of the lighting and heater fan and other accessories.

Please don't try that until someone who knows for sure if that's true. it was just a post on another forum. Some of out experts might want to chime in on this subject. I've got a alternator so it doesn't apply to me but if you want to keep the generator it might be an option. I know amps and volts are two different things but it's just a thought.

The original 1937 generator would produce about 18 amps

A 1938-1939 generator with a voltage control will produce about 28 amps

A 1940-1951 generator with a voltage regulator will produce 35 amps.

Thank you all for your input.

I think this is what everyone is looking for. Will solve all your problems.
www.gener-nator.com

If your splicing sections together to carry 9A to the halogens, I would solder them together over a crimp on a butt connector. I would also add an inline fuse before the dimmer.
Mike

I couldn't find any prices on the web site. That usually means very expensive.

I think he told me it was about $100.00, and then the installation which looked like a challenge.

Tiny, If memory serves me right It was a lot more than I wanted to pay....

Dear brewskiehunter, i presume your 6V current draw is for the H4 type halogen globe. I wanted to buy H6006 type sealed beam halogen globes off e-bay, are they also 55W ?

6V Halogen bulbs or sealed beams are typically in 45-55 watt range. You should ask the vendor for power ratings on the high beam side. Even if you could supply power to these PLUS tail lights, brake lights, radio and heater and not exceed the 25Amps coming out of the generator, how much is left to charge the battery?

Another option if you can find them are 2531 prefocus bulbs. I found a box on ebay and use them, a significant difference from the 2331 that came stock.