The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Sealed Beam Options

1946 2 ton truck. China repo's not that bright and do not last long.

Halogens was my thought, then I found people saying that they would
draw too much current for the charging system.

Then I thought about LED. They should not draw too much power.
Does anyone know where I can get original looking LED sealed beams?

I found new AC Delco traditional sealed beams for sale though I bet these
are made in china also.

Your input and help appreciated, thanks. The truck has a 6 volt system.
Jeffrey

When I changed my truck over to 12 volts I installed reflector assemblies that look identical to the sealed beams and take an H4 bulb. They are 60 watts on low beam and they perform like a much more modern vehicle. You can get them in a six volt 60 watt version but you would want to use relays to power them. I bought mine from Octane lighting. I believe Chevs of the 40s sells a version too.

When you are ready to upgrade, be sure to check the wiring from the back (outside) of your headlight bucket to the inner fender well....you might find this:

Headlight bucket wiring

Relays with original type bulbs made a Huge improvement in the 51’s light output. It’s now safe to drive to the limites of the rest of the stockish truck.

The truck just had all the wiring redone. Dash lights and parking lights are now a lot
brighter.

Back around 1975 I was a Vol Fireman. They just had put out of service a 1948 White
Great Eastern Fire Engine, 6 volts. I talked with an ex chief, he was in my company,
that I wish my 35 Buicks head lights were as bright as the White's. He said swap the
sealed beams out.

Those beams made a big difference. Thing is all the bulbs they sell now are Chinese junk.
I found new 6v AC Delco sealed beams for sale and will try them. If they are good as the
ones as from the old White I should be happy.
Jeffrey

You can buy conversion headlights that will replace sealed beam with a lens / reflector housing and replaceable bulb like that on a new car. They make them for round and square headlights. Several quality light manufactures like Cibie and Hella offer these. You can use any standard H4 type bulb in the housing.

The kits run $50+ per light, but that is a one time cost for the housing, after that you are just replacing the cheaper H4 bulbs inside.


H4 style LEDs are available and draw little power compared to Halogens. The only thing that would look off would be the fact the lenses were so nice and crisp compared to the cheap lenses found on most sealed beams.

I put the Hella conversion an older car with 4 rectangular lights and it made a huge difference driving at light. I understand round is a better shape for lights than square so the 7" round should be even better than mine.


http://www.myhellalights.com/index....mps/vision-plus-7in-conversion-headlamp/

AaronW, what year truck did you do this to and does it have a 6 volt system?
If a 6 volt system how does the generator handle the load?
Thanks, Jeffrey