Brighter LED headlight bulbs for safety

[Moxie26]

https://youtu.be/VvbNY2s3Egs?si=rmh95xVIrHRhmw9d. Excellent video comparing headlight bulbs that are available ..... The bulbs work on Model t's with negative ground, they work on Model A's with positive ground, and they do not require the shiniest reflectors available.... He got his bulbs from one of his YouTube contributors, I purchased mine through www.logolites.com . Bulbs have not been installed on our car yet, as I do have some things to finish before the car gets back on the road. Looking forward to a safer and brighter future. ...... P.S. ...LED bulbs are kinder to a Model T generator, taking about 2 amps to light your way compared to incandescent bulbs that take 8 to 10 amps making the generator work harder giving light and battery charge.

[Dave Young]

Hey Bob! Thanks for posting this link. I just ordered a set of the focused beam bulbs, after doing a 30 mile drive in the dark last night in my pickup with old reflectors and 32/32 bulbs. I’ll let you guys know how the new ones perform. The last set of LED headlight bulbs that I bought, maybe 7 years ago, cost a fortune, shipped from Australia, and aren’t really all that great. They’re in my Chandler. I’m hoping that the technology has evolved.

[Steve Jelf]

Are LED's available for pre-1919 Fords?

[Moxie26]

Jeff.... I would think as long as there's battery DC voltage, why not?... Magneto power?... That would be a good question, that would be answered by the folks at. www.logolites.com.

[TRDxB2]

Are LED's available for pre-1919 Fords?

Others weigh in.
Think your concern is that charging a battery via magneto power using something like the Fun Project's kit would send excessive voltage to the LEDs. Some rearranging of the wiring to separate the lighting circuit from running off magneto & having the headlights wiring in parallel vs series if wired as such. Perhaps connecting a single pole double throw switch in the circuit, connecting one throw to the magneto and the other to the lighting circuit. This would the disconnect the magneto charging voltage when the lighting circuit was switched on. A similar result could be achieved with a automotive relay, so when the lights were turned on the magneto circuit would automatically be disconnected. Not sure what voltage requirement the relay would need to be. Either way the lights would only run off the battery which would be no problem since the Focused LEDs in the video don't use much amps.

[Moxie26]

STEVE .......... Keeping it simple, what power source do you have for your headlights.????..… Using a battery only without charging during use should give satisfactory results for a couple days and once you have an opportunity you can put the charger on for a couple hours to bring your batteries back up to snuff.

[Luke]

Are LED's available for pre-1919 Fords?

... charging a battery via magneto power using something like the Fun Project's kit would send excessive voltage to the LEDs. Some rearranging of the wiring to separate the lighting circuit from running off magneto & having the headlights wiring in parallel vs series....

Frank,

As long as the battery is in reasonable condition, and the system is wired correctly with no poor connections, there would be no expectation of excessive voltage to anything connected to said battery, nor need to complicate things in this manner.

The typical diode/[incandescent]bulb charging circuits I've seen for magneto charging are a simple current-limited charger, with the battery providing the voltage 'regulation' if you like. Therefore, given the very low charge current expected, there'd be no reason to think a battery would be overcharged or overcome sufficiently for the cct voltage to rise to a level that would destroy your average 6-30V LED lamp.

For Steve; there are various posts on here from people using small SLA batteries (such as are often used in alarm systems) for intermittent lighting (and other) requirements in a non-generator equipped T. Such systems apparently work for them quite well, so with an inexpensive SLA and modern LED's consuming very little current I think you could anticipate a good light for as long as you'd want to drive a T at night

Luke.

[Allan]

Finally, it would seem we have an LED bulb which is focused, using its own reflector instead of the original parabolic reflector in our T's. Previous incarnations with multiple LED's pointing in many different directions only delivered a big blob of light that was largely uncontrolled and not able to be focused. This new development has come with a hefty price differential though, but the ease of fitment will be appreciated.

Allan from down under.

[Moxie26]

https://www.logolites.com/products/led- ... eadlights/. Explains features of headlights

[Gen3AntiqueAuto]

If anyone wants to see what the bulbs look like and how they performed here, I made a video last Nov.
https://youtu.be/VW7fsNX9KQg

[mtntee20]

I just received a reply from LogoLites. The representative informed me ALL of the LogoLites for Model Ts are 6 volt DC ONLY. Running them on magneto voltage will destroy them.

I have Led bulbs in my marker and brake lights and they DO work when I am running on magneto. I will have to research the wiring diagrams and the voltage AT the bulbs to see if they ARE or ARE NOT running on magneto voltage. I'll try to remember to post after I find out.

[Moxie26]

Mtntee20....... Do all your Model t's have generators and batteries? I would dare to say that your lighting system is run off your battery and generator,... And not your magneto. Magneto power is strictly for engine ignition.... Unless you have the magneto headlight bulbs wired in series, and you would not have an electric tail light.

[JohnM]

I ordered a pair for my 26 touring, should be here by Friday. They are pricey, but Paul Shinn's video sold me. If they perform as stated and don't burn out too soon, I will be happy. Now on cruise nights, I won't have to rush home before dark.

[Moxie26]

JohnM ...... I do agree with you on the presentation and facts that Paul Shinn put out in his video. I also heard from a good friend that he ordered a set and looks forward not having to rush home at night from a cruise night.

[mtntee20]

Robert,

The '27 has an alternator, battery, and working magneto. It runs on either battery or magneto. I upgraded 2 brake/tail lights, 1 license/tail light, and 2 front marker lights to led bulbs. The lights currently work on either battery or magneto. Without having checked the voltage at the bulbs, OR figuring out the ignition/light switch, I suspect the lights are always on the battery while the ignition can be either battery or magneto.

As was posted, these led headlights are NOT cheap. I will do some voltage measurements before spending the cash.

My understanding of the electric system was; On battery, everything was powered by the battery AND when on magneto, everything was powered by the magneto, thus, the need for "magneto" bulbs. I am always open to education and will respect other's input until I know differently.

I will post my measured results here when I get them done.

I measured 7.5 volts DC at the light and headlight posts on the terminal block, BOTH on Battery and Magneto. I measured 27 volts AC at the magneto post. So, it appears the statement above is correct in that the magneto ONLY supplies the ignition while the "batter" supplies to the lighting all the time.

[SurfCityGene]

Anyone know how many Lumens these new LEDs put out?

I've bought several that advertised 500% More light but they must have been measuring from when the original lights were turned OFF!! I've sent them all back cause they were less than what I already had!

[JohnM]

Terry, on your 27 the mag only powers the coils. I know this because when I was younger and poor, I saved money by not buying a battery and grounding the generator. I could drive anywhere but had to be home before dark.

[Moxie26]

mtnt20 ..... MTFCA has printed information manuals on Model T Electrical system. I'm sure you will find valuable educational information. Ask fellow chapter members for beneficial verbal help, in person discussion is a lot better.

[Moxie26]

Gene ... Your questions will be better answered by the folks at the store.

[JohnM]

Installed the new logos led bulbs today. They are definitely brighter. I went for a drive at dusk and could actually see that my lights were on. Here in the city, it's hard to find a truly dark road, I will have to wait till I go to the country for that, but so far I'm satisfied. Best part is I can now drive at night without discharging my battery. Thank you Paul Shinn for the excellent assessment video. (And Robert for posting it here) I would not have spent $100.00 on bulbs without knowing what to expect.

[Allan]

Looking good John. Strange that the two original bulbs lit up at the same height, but with the LED's the left one points higher. Can their orientation be altered by rotating them through 180 degrees? Otherwise you may need to tweek the headlight stalk for optimum direction of the beam.

Allan from down under.

[JohnM]

The bulbs are prefocused and have a mark that must be oriented to be at the top. I tried rotating the connection at the back of the bucket 180 degrees but that changed it from low to high beam. Maybe moving the bulb with the focusing screw will tweek it a little, otherwise the stem will have to be bent a little.

[TRDxB2]

Actually the left headlight beam would be better on the right side to illuminate the side of the road, while the right beam would be better on the left to reduce glare to on coming drivers

[JohnM]

Yes, I would have been happy with that. I tried swapping bulbs, it's the same. It's the angle of the buckets. I will tinker with it more yet.

[TRDxB2]

Yes, I would have been happy with that. I tried swapping bulbs, it's the same. It's the angle of the buckets. I will tinker with it more yet.

Just a note: The "self focusing" bulb eliminates the need to adjust the bulb to the focal point of the reflector, hence the original reflector is not contributing. The fluted lens, or what ever lens is there, is what focuses the left shining through it.
Check the clarity of the right lens as well

[Moxie26]

Good morning, JohnM ..... Nice pictures, were the lenses replaced before you took the pictures?

[JohnM]

Yes, on both pictures the glass lens were in place.

[browning]

Now we need a socket to fit the acetelyne burner that would gimbal on both planes to fit the logolites. Easy retrofit with well focused pattern.

[Moxie26]

I found time this morning to install these headlamps in my ' 26 this morning.... Each sealed packet has the light bulb and a small allen wrench to adjust the position. Installed the passenger headlight bulb, turned on dim, and noticed the bright setting was lit. Removed the bulb, used the Allen wrench to loosen the two set screws, turned the bulb housing 180° and snugged up the set screws. Installed in bucket. Turned lights on dim, and noticed the light projected a slight slant to the left . Removed and readjusted for a horizontal projection. Did the same with the driver side light. I am very happy with what I bought, and verry appreciative to come across that video and share with you. I am not a paid sponsor of LOGOLITES, just a very satisfied past customer of other LEDs they sell . Hint- Hint .... They do have extra bright LED stop lights.

[Moxie26]

Added more pictures