VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 1929 Dim Headlights Revisited

This is an update from my former post about my dim 1929 headlights. I ran the test suggested, and determined that the grounds are poor.
Does anybody have some ideas how I can ground the headlights? If I run a ground wire, for example, how and where would it go?
Has anybody out there had the same problem?
Thanks for the help.

I have had that exact problem and it was because some items were painted preventing a good ground. You can use a multimeter to trace the ground circuit or a ground wire testing at various points from the socket to the frame or other known good ground. I would not suggest a permanent ground wire, but rather locate the source of the poor ground.

I'll try it thanks

Good luck!

I am currently restoring my headlights. I have had the reflectors nickel plated and then sent to have an additional coating that is maintenance free. The plater strongly recommended using 12 ga wire and soldering directly to each bulb holder then running a 12ga wire to a cleaned paint free ground on the chassis. I am afraid an additional hole maybe required on the headlight bullet hopefully with a rubber grommet then hidden under the headlight bar connecting t he two headlight grounds together then a single ground wire to the chassis near the radiator in an inconspicuous location. The ground can be attached to the flex cable exterior on the underside.

Don't know how these modifications effect the judging but I do think you will see a big change in the lumens (candle power) output. The added reflector plating is supposed to increase the lumens as well even more so than the silver plating. The silver plating tarnishes. This new application does not tarnish.

On the headlight reflectors, it sounds like you are talking about the vacuum sealed aluminum process by UVIRA in Merlin, Oregon.

I have mashed a few strands of copper wire between headlights and headlight bar also headlight bar to fender brace and fender brace to frame. That makes a good solid ground that has very low (nearly zero) resistance, lasts for many years (some still good 20 years later) and can not be seen if carefully installed.

I think Chipper has pointed out some areas to check for proper ground connections. If those areas are clean then there will be no need for copper wire. I agree with recoating the reflectors but see no need to add the wire.

Just think your way through, all the way back from the bulb holder socket to the battery. Starting with the socket and its attaching point, there is always some point with too much new paint or old rust or crud. Another easy way is to attach a long wire to the negative ground post of the battery and with the other end sort of test your way forward along the same electrical path, scratching a good clean bare spot each place you make contact. You'll get to somewhere where, all at once, things get brighter. Good luck!