The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay HEADLIGHT SWITCH QUESTION

Hi...my 1/2 ton Chevy 1953 truck was converted to 12V by the previous owner and I have a couple of questions.

#1...how can I tell if the headlight switch I have is 12V or 6V ????

#2...if my switch is a 6V one then can I use it on a 12V system ?????

#3...I need to get a new sealed beam on one side and am wondering if the switch I have is 6V, then will the 6V headlight switch work with a 12V sealed beam ???

Thanks in advance........John

A switch doesn't care if you run 6 or 12.

To build a tad on Cletis' answer. It's the current (amps) that decided whether a switch is happy or not. A 6v system actually uses double the current of a 12v system so your switch should live happily every after on 12v.

Can one use "Halogen " headlight bulbs with these switches ????

Depends on the current that will be passing through the switch. Having said that, I would be surprised if the draw from a pair of headlights would overtax the switch. If someone has info to the contrary they could enlighten us both.

I'm using HID lights with the original switch. No problems so far.

I run halogens on my '54 and '56 with stock switches.

the reason I ask this question is that one vendor, CLASSIC PARTS.COM, on page 55 of their 1947-1954 catologue states that Halogen bulbs have higher electrical current so that they recommend their harness #52-298 which is hooked directly to the battery to bypass the light switch....the switch is only used to activate "relays" to turn the headlights on. .....Thought`s ???

This is to put more power to the lights and eliminate any loss in the system. It's recommended in any older 12 volt system when up grading headlights.

I run Halogens with no problems using the stock setup, however, it is not a bad idea to go to a relay system. The 7 inch sealed beams for 12 volts are Halogen now. You cant even get the old style anymore. I have no plans to go to a relay system on mine. I do not feel any warmth or notice any problems with the wiring or associated parts. 6 volt systems take twice the current as 12 volts so I think the wiring and everything is plenty fine. Your results may vary. If you go to those new fancy LED or Super Halogens, then go to a relay system.

"YOU CANT EVEN GET THE OLD STYLE ANYMORE"
In Jim Carters catalogue on page 69 it states "head light bulb original" do they mean the look of the glass or that is has lower current flow as compared to newer Halogens ?

I don't know for sure. If you CAN get the old style incandescents, let me know where because NAPA, RockAuto, AutoZone, O'Reilly tells me they are not available and the new 6020 12 volt Sealed Beams are Halogen. They look the same as the old ones. There is no difference in appearance.

I ran halogens for years in my 59 Suburban (4 headlights when high beams are on) without relays using the stock headlight switch. Current draw from halogens is a tad more because of wattage. If you are worried about it, run a relay with 10 ga wire up close to your headlights, activating it with the headlight switch. That takes most of the draw off the switch and gives you less voltage drop right at the headlights. That means brighter lights, at least in theory and according to everything you read on the interweb!

Make sure that you have good ground when you run the halogen bulbs.