I have just restored a new style 1926-27 tail light, with a 4 3/8" diameter bright nickel cover plate, covering a single piece, red glass lens. The interior of the tail light housing is painted a reflective white and has two (2) small original single contact, non threaded (straight pin type) bulbs with a small round glass bulb protecting the filament but the numbers on the brass shank have been scratched off so I am unable to read them.

The bulb in the lower half is the tail light that comes on and stays on when you turn on the lights and shines through an oval window. The upper half contains the stoplight bulb that comes on when the brake pedal is pressed and is equipped with a nice, concave mirrored reflector and the bulb shines through a metal STOP stencil. My system is a 6v system. What is the correct candle power of each bulb? I have both a Snyder's and Lang's catalog. Can you provide me with the correct part number of the bulbs? Thank you. Jim Patrick

Jim,

Since it is a two bulb system...

The proper bulb I believe would be #63...but each only pushes out 3CP.

I think the next size bulb would be a #81...and that pushes out 6CP.

The proper description would be a BA15S base, with a 'G6' lamp shape for both...but according to Langs they only offer the #63..which would be their 6-3CP.

Pretty soft lamp CP. May want to try to find a #81 on line to at least try in the stop top. Draws a whopping 1/3 more amp per bulb and is an identical bulb size as the 63

OH...one more comment. I'm just guessing that the 26/27 'combo' uses the BA15 socket as I'm not aware of Ford ever using anything but...easy enough to figure from what you have, the diameter of the socket will be 15mm if I'm right...and if they shrunk the next size down socket would be a BA9 which measures 9mm across.

Seems as though someone was way ahead of the game on the metric system.

If the socket is BA9, come back to me, I would need to look up the proper bulb number(s) for a BA9

Don't know it they'll fit but the # 1129 6 vt. single contact bulb is, I believe 21CP. In any case they are quite bright. This bulb is the same size as the 12vt. #1034 or 1157 bulb. 2 bulbs this size fit in the Model A style tail lights I'm using for stop & turn.

Charlie...

1129 is the original Mazda spec for the single pole 21CP headlamp. The conundrum I don't know is were there ever any 6V cars built without the dim switch? I never have gotten that far yet

If it will fit in the 26/27 housing, yup...gain 21CP rating...but does go 2.6 Amp per bulb.

George: perhaps I have the CP wrong but the box of 1129's I have are definitely tail (or reverse)lamps. They are certainly brighter than any of the smaller bulbs I have. Probably 63's. It is, of course a question of "will it fit".

Will 6v LED bulbs fit standard or stop light type 26/27 rear lamp housings? Anybody tried?
http://www.highspeedmotors.com/Webled.html
(some types can be found cheaper on eBay directly from China)

Jim,

I restored the same tail/stop lamp last year to put on the Touring.

I used from Lang's the following:

6-21CP (for the upper STOP bulb)
&
6-3CP (for the lower tail bulb)

They are both single contacts.
You can use the same thimble that's used for the head lights #6592X

This all worked fine for me.
As you know you have the two contact socket/thimble but that gets split one for the tail and one for the stop.

Hope this helps.
BTW this lamp is a nice improvement.
Just right for the "improved Ford"

Good luck,
Larry

Yes Larry, you have the same tail light I have with the double split socket that is the same size as the front light socket (.59").

I assume that the insrument panel light would also be a #63 6-3cp single contact bulb as described by George. They have these at McMaster Carr in boxes of 10 for $5.59, so I think I will be ordering a box today. McMaster-Carr does not have the #1129 6-21 bulbs, but I have a 6-21cp single post stop light from Langs.

While I have your attention, what C.P. bulb would be needed for the Fyrac/Clymer, through the windshield spot light (single contact, straight pin connector)? Thank you. Jim Patrick

Jim,

Your right on the #63 6-3cp is the same.
For the spot light I would use the biggest CP I could find in 6 volt. If you could find a 50cp (like a headlight bulb) would be ideal. I looked at Langs and don't find a single like that. Maybe Restoration Supply?

A 6 volt halogen would be good for the spot, you are only using it on occasion and not all the time.

Larry

Thanks Larry.

Jim Patrick

Have you considered trying your local auto supply?

Thanks Ted. I have no trouble finding what I need, either at McMaster Carr, or by special order from one of the auto parts supply places.(once I determine what it is). My only concern is getting the correct style (single contact, straight pins bayonet style) 6v bulbs with the proper candle power for my specific and particular uses. Jim Patrick

PS. Larry, I found just the thing for my Fyrac spotlight from McMaster Carr for $3.40 each: #1183. A 6v single contact, straight pin, 50 CP bulb. There is also a 1133 in the same style except it is 32 C.P. It comes in a 5 pack for $10.40

Jim,

That sounds great.
Should be more than bright enough if the reflector is good.

I'm saving that info in case I need a new bulb for the spotlight I bought for the speedster. (when I finally get around to assembling all the parts that will be the speedster.

We want photos when you get the bulbs in and a report back.

Larry

Charlie...

Don't have to question yourself. You are probably right that the box you have is actually 1129's. Older more original 1129's at that.

Most think of original early headlight bulbs as being larger golf balls, or the more modern 'spot' type glass shape like the vendors sell now. The originals at the time were specified as 'S8' glass which is the shape of a more modern 1034/1157 turn signal bulb and had a glass dia. of 1-1/4. Now if they also had the rippled blown glass look and a tip...they be some mighty expensive turn signal lamps

Another of my Don Quixote research projects that one of these days I really need to finish...LAMP SPOTTERS GUIDE OF ORIGINAL MODEL T LAMPS. This one is all but done and as with most things Ford, the final two points I wish to include are those windmills!



BTW...if anyone has an old book with the 'lcl' dimension for the 1129/1130, I'd appreciate it. ('lcl' is bulb jargon for just how the filament focal point matches the parabolic reflector so that the light does go forward and not scatter off of the reflector. I'm missing that on all the original bulb research, and don't want to use the 'modern' bulb equivalents)