12 to 6 volt step down for headlights

Mtinal · Apr 22, 2018

I converted my ford 600 to 12 volt but would like to still use the 6volt headlights because I cheap. Anyone figure how to step down the voltage just for the headlights?

Royse · Apr 22, 2018

To me, it would cost more than it's worth, but simply hook them
in series. One wire from the switch to one light, then from the
other side of that light to the other light and the opposite side of
the second light to ground.
The draw back to this setup is that if either light bulb goes bad,
they both stop working and you don't know which one is bad.

504 · Apr 22, 2018

I would expect the bulbs to cost maybe, $10.00 each. What do I know,I remember when $20.00 would fill the gas tank and get the oil changed!

tractorguy2 · Apr 23, 2018

Just get 12v bulbs. They can't be that much.

Two0aks · Apr 23, 2018

There are a number of ways to do that, but require some electronics knowledge. There are step down converters and all will generate some heat depending on the wattage of your headlights. But there is not a cheap way to do it.

rvirgil_KS · Apr 23, 2018

I got a pair of 12 volt sealed beams for my 51 8N a couple years ago for about 10.00 each.

You have 2 options.

1. Do as Royce said and connect your 6 volt bulbs in series.

2. Get a pair of 12 volt sealed beams.

Forget any kind of converter. It will be more expensive, more of a hassle to install, and one more thing to give problems.

souNdguy · Apr 25, 2018

using a resistor step down from 12v to run them lights will cost you more than new lights.

if you want to re-use your 6v bulbs on 12v till they need replacing, just run them in seires.

you will likely have to open the buckets and do your wiring, and many buckets have one one wire out and one wire tied to the
bucket for the lamps.

power wire from the lamp switch to one prong on lamp A . other prong on lamp A out to one prong on lamp B. Other prong on
lamp B out to a good chassis ground.

there you have it. 6v lamps in series on 12v. When one of the lamps goes, you just need to buy 12v lamps then run them in
parallel.

12 to 6 volt step down for headlights

Mtinal

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Royse

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504

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tractorguy2

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Two0aks

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rvirgil_KS

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souNdguy

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