Recently got some LED bulbs for the tail lights. Double contact, offset pins, red color. They work great with the brake pedal wires, come on full power. They wont come on with the headlights on the low power setting. The lights fixtures on my car work well in both modes with all standard bulbs and halogen, so I know it is not the wiring or fixture. The LED bulbs did the same thing on a second car. Both LED bulbs will shine on low and high when tested out of the car with a 6 volt batt.
Both cars standard T, 6 volt, neg ground. What gives?
Generally this kind of oddity is the result of a bad ground somewhere.
What happens is that the LED is picking up its ground through some other path than is intended, like for instance through the headlight bulb, then when the headlights are turned on that ground path disappears for the LED and it sees positive polarity at both poles, ergo no light.
Check the way you connect voltage to the LED bulb when testing it out of the car, and do the same with a standard bulb. My guess is you will find some difference between them.
Alternatively, check the LED bulb's contact with the socket - which is where it should get its ground, and the socket's connection to ground.
Bet you'll find it!!
My experience with dc LED bulbs is limited – Bought two for my late model truck and promptly had a fuse blow.
Took them back –
But perhaps this will shed some light ahh - will help.
http://www.ledlight.com/SearchResult.aspx?KeyWords=95634
Regards
Art
Very interesting. Will investigate this issue of grounding a little further on my next day off.
Thanks guys.
Art, that seems to be the type I got as they say O.K. for + or - ground. Seems these are getting more available.
Where may i buy these 6 volt L.E.D. bulbs from?
http://www.ledlight.com/SearchResult.aspx?KeyWords=95634
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp =%2Fsite_index.htm%23VOLT
I'm thinking about using these for headlights on my 11 Runabout has anyone ever tried these ? I'm going to fab up a bracket to mount the bulb(s) run the wires out the bottom of my E&J 666 headlights back through the rubber gas tube and store a small 12v gel-cell battery in my carbide generator to power them not sure about switch placement yet? I live in town and the one show I like to attend is from 6-9 pm. so I only need light to drive her home all of 2 miles. I don't want to use carbide to run my lights there's already enough fire hazards on a T with out that. Any input welcome.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-X-Car-H7-6W-SMD-LED-Super-White-Headlight-Bulb-Light-/ 320893282884?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ab6baea44&vxp=mtr
Incandescent on left ...... 45 LEDs on the right.
2 amp draw on the left ... 290 ma draw on the right
Garnet
Garnet,
What brand lamps are those, and where did you get them? They look like they work pretty well. And you can't beat that current draw.
Garnet, there seems to be significantly less light output from the LED bulb illustrated in the pictures. This is quite obvious from the illumination of the concrete. Model T lights are marginal for driving at night already. I really don't think I'd use the LED lights except for marker lights perhaps.
You wouldn't want to use them as nighttime driving lights - they're not that good. I like them as daytime driving lights - just something extra to make me visible to other drivers. They were bought from superbrightleds.com
The reflectors that were in the car for the first photo had awful surfaces .... more yellowy than silver. A few days later I installed some NOS Wizard Model T reflectors into the Whippet drums and was happy that they fit nice.
First number is the part number:
If you have a light in the gas lamp and a battery in the carbide canister place the switch in the canister. You only need to turn it on when you need it.
Kep,
I guess putting a switch in the tank with the battery is an option. Good idea.