headlights 6v? 12v?

[pomester]

I removed two 5-3/4" headlights from a tractor project I bought this year. Tractor originally 6v, but had been converted to 12v shortly before I purchased it. Headlights were disconnected. I guessed that the bulbs had not been changed, but don't know. There are no markings on the bulbs.

How can I determine the operating voltage of the bulbs? They operate on 6v, but seem dim, but it is 6v. Any way to use a multimeter to determine?

 

[rustred]

I removed two 5-3/4" headlights from a tractor project I bought this year. Tractor originally 6v, but had been converted to 12v shortly before I purchased it. Headlights were disconnected. I guessed that the bulbs had not been changed, but don't know. There are no markings on the bulbs.

How can I determine the operating voltage of the bulbs? They operate on 6v, but seem dim, but it is 6v. Any way to use a multimeter to determine?

Post the bulb number , usually them big bulbs are 6 volt. Post the whole bulb.

 

[pomester]

Post the bulb number , usually them big bulbs are 6 volt. Post the whole bulb.

No numbers, no markings of any sort.

 

[joeysmith]

Well you could hook one to 12 volt an see how long it lasts
Unless they are original bulbs you would like to keep for the original look bulbs are not that expensive

 

[rustred]

No numbers, no markings of any sort.

Post the bulb, is the big bulb?

 

[Mule Meat]

5 3/4" were common on just about everything until around 1980. Ford, Chevy and Dodge all used them on cars and trucks.

Two prong bulbs came in Hi and Lo beam while three prong bulbs were Hi, and Lo beam in the same bulb.

If you look closely. You may see a part number molded into the lens on the bulb. Back in the day. The numbers were used to orientate the bulb in the base to get proper beam.

 

[pomester]

Post the bulb, is the big bulb?

5-3/4", fit the Tractolite and others - picture is installed on a TO-30 6v. Works, but seem dim, but it is 6v... dunno, I've never had a 6v tractor with working lights.... GE bulb, no numbers where you would expect to find them on the back.

 

[rustred]

5-3/4", fit the Tractolite and others - picture is installed on a TO-30 6v. Works, but seem dim, but it is 6v... dunno, I've never had a 6v tractor with working lights.... GE bulb, no numbers where you would expect to find them on the back.
View attachment 131337

I’m talking about the bulb inside , no the whole light. Bulbs have a number on them. For example a 12 volt standard bulb for stop and tail lights years ago was number 1157.

 

[Mule Meat]

5-3/4", fit the Tractolite and others - picture is installed on a TO-30 6v. Works, but seem dim, but it is 6v... dunno, I've never had a 6v tractor with working lights.... GE bulb, no numbers where you would expect to find them on the back.

Pomester.. Rusted is talking about the back of the bulb itself. If nothing is molded into the lens. Good chance it being a 6 volt.

Remove the two screws and the ring can be removed that holds the bulb in place.

On the back of the bulb you may find the printed information. On the back of the one shown. The print can be seen just about the prongs for the socket to plug into. These types of lights do not have a small bulb that fits into the lens like on modern cars. The bulbs are all one piece.

 

[rustred]

It probably is 6 volt as them tractors were 6 volt. Guess I should have said sealed beam instead of bulb. But no telling what beams could be in it without a number. I have checked them on a battery but you have to strick the wire fast on the12 volt battery if it’s a 6 volt light. It will be bright. In 2 seconds it will be burnt out !

 

[pomester]

It probably is 6 volt as them tractors were 6 volt. Guess I should have said sealed beam instead of bulb. But no telling what beams could be in it without a number. I have checked them on a battery but you have to strick the wire fast on the12 volt battery if it’s a 6 volt light. It will be bright. In 2 seconds it will be burnt out !

To All:
I pulled these GE sealed beam headlights off a project tractor. The tractor had been converted to 12v shortly before I purchased it and the headlights were disconnected at the harness. Suspecting that they were 6v bulbs I replaced them with new 12v units in the project tractor. https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/threads/a-fresh-one-881.1778921/

Inspecting the removed bulbs revealed no printing on the back of the bulb as is often seen. Nothing is molded into the glass except the 'GE' in the center of the front.

I took these bulbs and tested them at 6v to ascertain they were good and then installed them on this TO-30 on which the bulbs had burned out. They seem dim, but I've never had working lights on a 6v tractor so maybe that's as good as it gets.

My question is if there is a bench test of some sort to find out the operating voltage. Resistance across the terminals or something.

 

[RedMVa]

To All:
I pulled these GE sealed beam headlights off a project tractor. The tractor had been converted to 12v shortly before I purchased it and the headlights were disconnected at the harness. Suspecting that they were 6v bulbs I replaced them with new 12v units in the project tractor. https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/threads/a-fresh-one-881.1778921/

Inspecting the removed bulbs revealed no printing on the back of the bulb as is often seen. Nothing is molded into the glass except the 'GE' in the center of the front.

I took these bulbs and tested them at 6v to ascertain they were good and then installed them on this TO-30 on which the bulbs had burned out. They seem dim, but I've never had working lights on a 6v tractor so maybe that's as good as it gets.

My question is if there is a bench test of some sort to find out the operating voltage. Resistance across the terminals or something.

Jeez just run them in series- hot wire to one prong on first bulb, second prong to other bulb and other prong to ground. Have hooked up 6v sealed beams on many 12 v conversions that way

 

[m16ty]

Hook one up, if it’s really bright for a little bit and then goes out, you will know it was a 6v.

 

[rustred]

To All:
I pulled these GE sealed beam headlights off a project tractor. The tractor had been converted to 12v shortly before I purchased it and the headlights were disconnected at the harness. Suspecting that they were 6v bulbs I replaced them with new 12v units in the project tractor. https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/threads/a-fresh-one-881.1778921/

Inspecting the removed bulbs revealed no printing on the back of the bulb as is often seen. Nothing is molded into the glass except the 'GE' in the center of the front.

I took these bulbs and tested them at 6v to ascertain they were good and then installed them on this TO-30 on which the bulbs had burned out. They seem dim, but I've never had working lights on a 6v tractor so maybe that's as good as it gets.

My question is if there is a bench test of some sort to find out the operating voltage. Resistance across the terminals or something.

i gave u the bench test., in reply 10.

 

[jhwis]

Well you could hook one to 12 volt an see how long it lasts
Unless they are original bulbs you would like to keep for the original look bulbs are not that expensive

If they are 6 volt bulbs they won't last long.

 

[old]

I removed two 5-3/4" headlights from a tractor project I bought this year. Tractor originally 6v, but had been converted to 12v shortly before I purchased it. Headlights were disconnected. I guessed that the bulbs had not been changed, but don't know. There are no markings on the bulbs.

How can I determine the operating voltage of the bulbs? They operate on 6v, but seem dim, but it is 6v. Any way to use a multimeter to determine?

If you have a 6 volt battery hook it up and test the lights. If dim there 12 volt if bright they are 6 volt

 

[Janicholson]

If you have a 6 volt battery hook it up and test the lights. If dim there 12 volt if bright they are 6 volt

Or 6v charger! Jim

 

[Jim.ME]

If you have a 6 volt battery hook it up and test the lights. If dim there 12 volt if bright they are 6 volt

Or 6v charger! Jim

In his first post he wrote: "They operate on 6v, but seem dim, but it is 6v."

He wants to know how to determine if they are 6 or 12 volts with a multimeter.

 

[pomester]

In his first post he wrote: "They operate on 6v, but seem dim, but it is 6v."

He wants to know how to determine if they are 6 or 12 volts with a multimeter.

Thank you Jim - I love you guys, but reading comprehension is suspect.

 

[Jim.ME]

Thank you Jim - I love you guys, but reading comprehension is suspect.

A multimeter can tell you the ohms resistance of the bulb filament. It won't tell you voltage. If the resistance is too low, it will burn out on 12 volts.

A 35-watt seal beam for 6 volts should show about 1.1 ohms resistance and draw about 5.8 amps. A 35-watt seal beam for 12 volts should show about 4.11 ohms resistance and draw about 3 amps. You can check the ohms and see what you get.

I think 6-volt seal beams tend to be dimmer than 12-volt ones, as a general statement, as better lighting is a reason to change from 6 to 12 if worked at night. JMHO