LED headlight bulbs

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GrandpaFord
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LED headlight bulbs

Post by GrandpaFord » Sat Jul 04, 2020 4:57 pm

I have a 1915 car with two contact headlight bulbs that are wired for high beam and low beam. The car is set up for 12 volts. The incandescent bulbs are 27 watts each on high beam and 8.3 watts each on low beam which works out to 2.25 amps each on high beam and 0.69 amps each on low beams at 12 volts. They are rated for 12.8 to 14.0 volts. The pins are diametrically opposed so I have to test their position when I put the bulbs in the lamps. The bulbs cost about $2 each on the internet.

I replaced the incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs, part number 1157-WHP28-T from https://www.superbrightleds.com/. They cost about $8 each but are supposed to last 13 times as long, probably longer. 6 volt LED bulbs are also available from Super Bright LED's. They produce 550 Lumens each on high beam and 75 Lumens each on low beam. The current is 0.03 amps each on low beam and 0.42 amps each on high beam. They are rated at from 9 volts to 14.8 volts. The pins are not diametrically opposed but offset so I had to file off the pin that is furthest from the contacts. I had to test the bulbs to make sure they were on high beam when my switch was on high beam. It was easy to tell the difference. The LED bulbs do not have the point source like the incandescent bulbs so the light is spread out horizontally and vertically.

The LED bulbs are definitely brighter. My phone camera compensates for the increased brightness by reducing the exposure time. Below are some photos. If I have the order correct, the first one is a picture of the LED and incandescent bulbs from the Super Bright LED's web site. The second one is a view of the incandescent bulbs on high beam from the driver's seat. The diffusing lenses are not installed in the head lamps. The third photo is a head on photo of the incandescent bulbs. The fourth photo is a view of the LED bulbs on high beam from the drivers seat with the lenses installed. The fifth photo is a head on shot of the LED bulbs on high beam. I am going to have to remember to dim my headlights with the new LED bulbs whereas this was not necessary with the incandescent bulbs.
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GrandpaFord
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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by GrandpaFord » Sat Jul 04, 2020 5:01 pm

Here is the correct fourth photo, which is a view from the driver's seat with the LED bulbs installed.
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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by TRDxB2 » Sat Jul 04, 2020 6:18 pm

The comparison would be better if the headlights were properly aimed. Both photo's show the rear of the truck but neither show the front wheels. One photo seems to show the house across the street, the other not - better for driving I would think. Bright lights make you more visible to other drivers but not necessarily illuminate the road any better if not properly aimed
The target parameters for adjusting Model T lights is the same for Today's headlights.
https://raybuck.com/how-to-adjust-align-headlights/
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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by GrandpaFord » Sat Jul 04, 2020 9:43 pm

Hi Frank,

Thanks for the reply.

The LED's are brighter than the picture shows. My phone camera compensates for the added brightness by reducing the exposure time so the lights seem not as bright in the photo as in real life. The house across the street was more visible with the LED's. You are right that headlights should be properly aimed.

Neil


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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by Allan » Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:38 pm

The less sure are brighter! So much so that you are likely to upset oncoming drivers. I have yet to hear of an led conversion which can satisfactorily be focussed. Aiming is just part of the deal. You can aim a focussed beam, but not a bib blob.

Allan from down under.

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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by Novice » Sun Jul 05, 2020 2:22 am

Your picture shows what appears to be a 1157 tail /brake light bulb. with off set pins. I used a led replacement with even spaced pins like used in the original ford headlight sockets. The BA15d-60 work the best the 74475 is too bright and produces a funny U or C shaped pattern depending on bulb orientation and You have problems focusing it.
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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by Gonenorth » Sun Jul 05, 2020 7:12 am

I replaced my halogen bulbs (headlights and dual function tails) with LED bulbs. Used the lower one shown in the previous post for the headlights. I originally order the "warm" light versions but found their light output didn't seem to measure up to the halogens, so I replaced them with the "bright" 6000K bulbs. Much better. What really like is the distinct high and low function of the bulbs. Since I no longer needed the extra amperage to push the halogens, I ditched the alternator, rebuilt my old generator, and reinstalled that. System works great and according to my ammeter with everything lit up it takes slightly under 2 amps.

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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by GrandpaFord » Sun Jul 05, 2020 6:05 pm

Allan,

My car has a dim switch setting for the headlights which reduces the brightness (Lumins) to about 14% of the high beam. I am going to have to get used to dimming my lights when approaching other cars. I did not have to do that with the old bulbs. The dim setting is somehow built into the bulbs.

Neil


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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by AandTman » Sun Jul 05, 2020 8:30 pm

I put LED Bulbs in my A,T and stock 37 V8. Great investment,........I can now identify what I am about to hit.
Don

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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by KWTownsend » Sun Jul 05, 2020 10:26 pm

Neil-
I am curious about the switch you are using on your 1915 for high and low with the LED lights?

I have replaced the 12v incandescent bulbs in my 1915 and 1919 wired to the battery, with LED bulbs. I used to use a 35w bulb that was 50 cp, but they would draw about 4-5 amps each! For a car without a generator, that is a big draw. I re-wired and replaced the sockets with single contact and wired them in parallel. I opted for these 144 LED bulbs that are very bright:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-Led-Bulb- ... Sws6tekXbi

No, I can't dim them, and they are not a "warm color", but IF I am out past dark in my car that has no charging system, I can safely drive home without fear of draining the battery.

So how do you do high beam and low beam?

: ^ )

Keith

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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by GrandpaFord » Mon Jul 06, 2020 7:41 am

Hi Keith,

The switch was there when I bought the car 15 years ago. It is a double throw, single pole switch, the kind with a toggle lever. It is not original and mounted on an added bracket. There are two wires that go to each bulb, one for high and one for low (dim). Each wire goes to a single contact on the back of the bulb. The LED bulb must have a built in resistor or something like that for the dim setting because the same LED's are used but are dimmer.

Neil

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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by GrandpaFord » Mon Jul 06, 2020 7:52 am

Hi Keith again,

You could probably do the same thing by using a double throw switch and adding a resistor in one side of the switch. The wires would then join and go to a single contact on the LED bulb. You would have to experiment with different resistors to get the amount of dimming you need. The resistors would not have to be high wattage because the LED's don't draw a lot of power. The standard 1/4 watt resistors would probably do the trick. You could even use a pot to adjust the dim setting. I think you are looking at something around 200 ohms for a 6 volt system. Ford did this, I think on later cars, for the standard incandescent bulbs.

Neil


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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by Allan » Mon Jul 06, 2020 11:37 pm

Restricting the power to the bulbs will result in less output, but it will not allow any better focus/aiming. Basically, the parabolic reflector is incompatible with any of the replacement LED bulbs I have seen.
Sure, you can get a whole heap more light down the road, but that is just what it is, a heap of ill drected blue brightness.

Allan from down under.

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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by TonyB » Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:21 pm

I missed the bit in the very first thread that the 1915 used a 12 volt battery. I ordered some and sure enough they will not work on the six volt system on my Coupe. I looked around the Superbrightled site and dug into the specifications on every light it found and none will operate on six volts.
I sure would like brighter lights on my 24 Coupe and my poor old generator can hardly keep up with the two 36 watt Incandesants I’m currently using.
Has anyone found a source of led bulbs which are specified to work at six volts?
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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by RajoRacer » Tue Jul 07, 2020 8:28 pm

I recently installed a set in our '19 Centerdoor - I'll see if I can locate the info, Tony.


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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by BobD » Tue Jul 07, 2020 8:41 pm

Tony, 6 volt headlamp bulbs available at LEDlight.com. See Novice’s and Gonenorth’s replies above.

I ordered the 87455 warm white BA15D 60 SMD Dual Filament. Went from 8 amps. draw to 2 amps on my ’26 runabout. Make great daytime running lights. I don’t drive at night and have not tried them that way. They can be ordered in white or warm white. It has been said that the white is brighter.

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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by TRDxB2 » Tue Jul 07, 2020 9:22 pm

Has anyone considered using a step-up voltage converter similar to the photo. search on (6v step up voltage converter) to solve the 12v needs. https://www.amazon.com/DIGITEN-Converte ... 7476086225
It has a wide input range 5-11 volts DC and outputs 12volts DC with a max of 2 amps. This should allow using the 12volt BA15D base headlight bulbs. Not sure if wiring between it and the headlights needs to change. Some even have a USB connection.
There are many similar devices - some I believe could be adapted to a voltage regulator as well.
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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by ivaldes1 » Thu Apr 29, 2021 1:03 pm

Bump. Good information. I purchased 6v LED headlight bulbs in the parent post about a year ago. They work great. They are brighter but I am going to buy the brighter ones this time.

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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by Hudson29 » Thu Apr 29, 2021 4:59 pm

I would love to upgrade the 6v lights on my Ts but am far from sure what to order to make them work without modifying the sockets. Can somebody please update this? Where I am in a rural area the stock bulbs provide very poor illumination.

BTW, my lights are pointed wonky. When I lived in the city/suburbs this didn't matter too much, the lights were mostly just running lights so others could see me. Now I would like to adjust them to actually show where I'm going. Ford had a special tool which I do not have. How can the lights on my '23 be adjusted non-destructively?
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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by Allan » Thu Apr 29, 2021 5:44 pm

Paul, up and down adjustments are made by bending the stalks on pre 1926 cars. Two good sized crescent wrenches will do the trick. One is adjusted to fit the stem, the second picks up that tool and becomes the bending lever. Depending on where you place the first, you will be able to get some sideways adjustment also. There will be a little paint touch up done when you have finished. I suggest you do the aiming with the standard bulbs. Aiming LED's is like herding cats.

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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by Novice » Thu Apr 29, 2021 6:22 pm

Hudson. there are a number of 6 volt LED headlight replacements for sale. the only socket problem would be if Your sockets have been changed over the years. one of My ts had a new socket and a old socket. so one bulb was on low beam when the other was on high/on. The wedge leds require a like pair of sockets. with the round leds I use it does not matter if they are on low when the switch is on high/on.
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just reverse the bulb and unlike the wedge bulbs they produce a even light. the wedges produce a C or U pattern depending on the sockets. current draw very little can just barley see the amp meter move on high. The wedges are too bright in My opinion and produce the funny pattern. the rounds are plenty bright on battery and very bright with the motor running and generator charging.

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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by Hudson29 » Thu Apr 29, 2021 7:26 pm

Thanks Allan, the crescent wrench idea might work. My car is pretty scruffy so any additional chipped paint just adds to the areas to cover the next time I go around with a pot of touch up paint.
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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by Hudson29 » Thu Apr 29, 2021 7:48 pm

Thanks Novice, I just a couple of pairs of the 6V LED Headlight BA15D Dual Filament on order. After adjusting the headlights we'll see what we can actually see in the dark on those lonely country roads.
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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by Novice » Thu Apr 29, 2021 11:56 pm

Hudson. please post Your experience with the LED headlights. You could put led bulbs in period spotlights on each side of Your car and really light up the bar ditches

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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by TRDxB2 » Fri Apr 30, 2021 12:00 am

The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by ivaldes1 » Mon Sep 27, 2021 2:56 am

So do 6volt LED tail lights double contact for brake and running light exist?

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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by DanTreace » Mon Sep 27, 2021 8:21 am

Yes. Just Google ‘6v 1157 LED bulbs’. Can be found anywhere.
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Re: LED headlight bulbs

Post by Ruxstel24 » Mon Sep 27, 2021 9:05 am

DanTreace wrote:
Mon Sep 27, 2021 8:21 am
Yes. Just Google ‘6v 1157 LED bulbs’. Can be found anywhere.
Actually they are 1158....1157 has offset tabs.
Try https://www.ledlight.com/searchresult.a ... Words=1158
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