The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay 6V. Foglamps to 12V.?

I picked up a nice old set of fog lamps for my 52. I love the look of the older lamps and really don't want to get new 12V. bulbs. I didn't see an answer to this in the archives.....Can I get these 6V. lamps to work right with a couple of those small in-line voltage reducers? The bulbs are 5" GE 4012-A.
Thanks guys...I might as well run face-first into a brick wall when it comes to electrics...

Russ, I don't have a definite answer, but my instincts are no.

Seems that the current draw on the fog lamps is too great for the regular reducers to handle.

I'm certain that they make a 5" amber fog in 12V. How's come you don't want to just use that instead of the 6V lamps? :confused:

Sounds like these foglamps are a BAD idea. Please send them to me a I will make sure that they stay out of harms way on my '52 GMC.

Great score, if the price was right. If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for them?

I would put 12 volt bulbs in them and let it ride, but that is just me.........

I would steer clear of the voltage reducer as it doesn't regulate the power and your lights may be dimmer than you'd expect as well as getting no consistancy in the brightness. I'd shop around for a good 12V to 6V converter.

Couldn't you just wire the lights in series ?

Deceler8 has the right idea. Wiring the headlights in series provides for a 6V drop across each, which is what is required. Another option is to measure current through the headlight with 6V applied. Let's say you get 3 amps. Then you will need to find a dropping resistor that will take a voltage drop of 6V with 3 amps flowing through it. That value will be 2 ohms using ohm's law (voltage = amps times resistance). Then you will need to ensure the resistor has the proper wattage. Power = voltage times current, or 6V times 3A or 18 watts (minimim). This is an oddball resistor and not something you are going to find at Radio Shack. Going in series is the way to go.

Russ;
Did the same thing myself. Bought the 6v NOS fogs with amber lenses off EBAY. Loved them. Then did a search on the Internet for the model number printed on the back of the amber 6v sealed beam bulb. Found a site called Atlanta Bulbs. They had the exact match (PAR36 bulb) in 12v for my original 6v bulbs. Took out the old bulbs, put in the new 12v amber bulbs and they worked and looked great. Then tested the 6v bulbs and made sure they worked OK then resold the bulbs back on EBAY for about $35.00! If you can't find Atlanta Bulb, let me know and I can try to get the website for you.

Thanks for the help! Glad to see that there are options to make the 6V. lights work.
The main reason I bought this set of fog lamps is their LOOK. Not the housings so much, but the bulbs. Can someone tell me(or show with an e-mailed pix)if the 12 V. lamps look this nice?
[img]http://photo.starblvd.net/~Russntustin/2-3-2.jpg?i=1069549284[/img] I've taken the housings and brackets apart to re-paint.
Can someone explain how to wire in series?
Thanks!

You mean you actually turn on your fog lights?

I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who knows I have working fog lights on any of my vehicles. :rolleyes:

I bought replacement 12V bulbs from a tractor supplier. They look just as pretty. I get complimented all the time on my fog light bulbs.

Well, I tried the inline voltage reducers....they don't work for the lights. The 'Truck Shop' said that the reducers were only good for converting the gas gauge from 6V. to 12V.
Can anyone explain to me how I would wire this pair of lights in series? THANKS!!

Series wire the spotlights, bring out both wires of one light (no grounds on frist light), 12V into one wire of the frist light, other side/wire of the frist light to the second light. second light grounded.

Thanks to all of you!! Where would I be without this great place?! I'm gettin' all teary...gotta go....