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Power Source for Headlights

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Sam (Mo.)

07-22-2000 22:24:31

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I have two 1952 8N's, both working tractors and both have been converted to 12 volts. I had a pair of original headlights in my garage, so today I put headlights on my mowing tractor (after-dark mowing is a good way to beat the summer heat).

I wanted the lights to work only when the ignition key is on - so I used the 12 volt end of the resistor as my power source (I had 12v sealed beam bulbs). The hot wire goes from the resistor to a push-pull switch on the dash, then to the sealed beam lights, then to ground.

What I'm calling a resistor is a porcelain do-dad about 1.5 inches long that I have attached to the back side of the toolbox. 12 volts goes in one end, and 6 volts comes out the other - and that's for the wire to the coil only. Everything else on the tractor is 12 volt.

Anyway, this seems to work fine and there seems to still be plenty of fire going to the coil and distributor. It occurs to me that if 6 volt headlight bulbs were being used, it would be just as easy to hook up the wire to the other end of the resistor. What do you think? Is there anything wrong with doing it this way? Thanks.

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rbell

07-24-2000 06:34:23

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Re: Power Source for Headlights in reply to Sam (Mo.), 07-22-2000 22:24:31

Your resistor may not last very long with headlight current and ignition current both flowing through it! All resistors are rated by wattage (how much heat they can disapate) and if you exceed the wattage rated you get smoke! (we all know smoke is what makes electrical parts work, if the somke escapes they don't work any more) Wattage is equal to the amount of current multiplied by the voltage. SOOOOO if your lights are pulling 3 amps, and the ignition 1 amp, the voltage is 12 volts, then that better be a 48 watt resistor. (that would be a very large resistor)

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Claus

07-23-2000 03:31:04

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Re: Power Source for Headlights in reply to Sam (Mo.), 07-22-2000 22:24:31

These voltage dropping resistors are dependent on current going through them. You would get a much lower voltage if you attach the headlight to the coil side of the resistor. You could however, put the two lights in series. Additionally, some of the old switches drop voltage due to crud on the contacts giving a higher resistance. If you put the lights on the switched side of the ignition switch, make sure that you have good switch and are not dropping any voltage across the switch when the lights are turned on as this can affect engine performance due to low voltage at the coil.
Happy Motoring
Claus

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07-23-2000 02:51:08

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Re: Power Source for Headlights in reply to Sam (Mo.), 07-22-2000 22:24:31

I may try your method, but I have a question: attaching the lights to the 12V side of the resistor, and then to the switch: does the end of the wire that is attached to the resistor get hot? I have stripped tractors all over the yard, and I am trying to assemble one from all of these old tractors and parts. I call it my garden of tractors. it's my garden of Eden. i'm happy there. cg

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