Headlight Question

[Pudelpointer]

Took the 9n out yesterday and plowed some snow. However, it was dark and I was wishing the headlights worked. My tractor has been converted to 12-volt. So, how do I determine if my lights are the original 6-volt? Will I need to replace the entire light?

Somebody help the tractor newb out...

Thanks-

Bill

 

[jon]

You may be able to read it on the front of the light but more than likely you'll have to take it out of the housing & read it on the back.
Or you could just shoot the juice to them & see if they blow! (Not recommended though) :wink:

 

[souNdguy]

Most headlamps have replaceable bulbs or elements... even the cheap rubber encased ones.

remove the bulbs and look or a number and post it.. if no number.. use a jumper clip and run the 2 lamps in series to 12v.. if they are dim and orange-ish.. then they are 12v bulbs.. if they are bright.. they are 6v bulbs..

6v bulbs are usually 30 - 35w.. 12v bulbs are generally 55w..

soundguy

 

[Pudelpointer]

Thanks for the advice. I will open them up this weekend. Also, is this an automotive bulb that I can buy at a parts store? If so, does anyone have a part number?

Thanks again.

 

[Jubilee85]

Bill,

when I got my tractor, my dang ol lights would not work, funny how the switch worked off the tractor but not on.....I replaced both sealed units and the switch( got them at Advance Auto ) Walmart has them too. The rim around the light will unscrew and then you can pull out the sealed unit. Both lights cost me less than $20. If yours on the tractor are 6 volt, once the 12 volt hits it the filament it will but it out. I rewired my switch to the hot side of the swich so I can cut them on w/o the tractor running and without the switch on. The new lights added a lot more light too.

 

[Jubilee85]

souNdguy ,

did the tractors after 52 start using sealed units ? My 53 has factory lights and they have that old "looking" lens on the front of them but are one sealed unit.

 

[souNdguy]

Depends on what bulbs you got.. but generally.. yes..you can get tractor bulbs at napa and other automotive stores. TSC is where I get mine..

for instance.. a 4419 is a par 46 lamp.. 12v.. etc.

it fits the metal 'tract-o-lite' type shells and similar ones.

soundguy

 

[souNdguy]

headlamps were optional equipment installed by dealers... in 50+ years.. ANYthing could be on there.

soundguy

 

[Gaspump]

All headlights were dealer or owner installed on N's. The sealed beam headlights were what dealers sold in the mid-40's on. The sealed beam work light came out about in 1951 as did the sealed beam work light conversion kit. Lights could be purchased from many sources and some owners installed lights of their liking.

 

[osduck5]

I was told that one can wire the 6 volt lights in a series type circuit and they would work fine but they will not be as bright as 12 volt lights. I do not know because at 10 bucks each, I replaced the bulbs.

 

[HCooke]

If they are 6 volt they won't "blow" - just burn brighter and not last as long.

 

[Anonymous-0]

How do you insulate the old sockets on early lights.This always come to mind when put them in series comes up.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Try it ..

 

[D Squared]

I blew a rear work light a couple of years ago. I started to think about replacing the bulb recently. I went to CNH and they did not have one. I checked this site and they have a BULB for $42. Ouch. I can replace it with a brand new light with bulb from TSC for $15. Being a worker and not a show tractor I will be going to TSC. I only use it for backing into my barn at night.

 

[souNdguy]

For the test you just pull them off the tractor and wire them up with gator clips.

To run in series on the tractor, you remove the wire from one side of one of the lamps that runs to the shell, and instead add a new wire that hits that side of the lamp, then runs across tot he other lamp and is used in place of it's power wire, and thent he other sid eof that lamp has it's termination to ground at the lamp shell.

That works great on sealed beam units. On 'ray' units.. or ones with reflectors.. you have to get a lil more creative and see how the lamp socket is wired, and dyke out the connection from the lamp base to the reflector or can/shell.

I've done them on vintage JD that use reflector lamps..vs sealed beams etc.

downside is that when one goes out.. they all go out.

soundguy