6v headlight with a resistor to use 12v system

Can you use a resistor to drop that 12v to 6v to use on a 6v headlight? Will it generate too much heat? Can you just use one of those coil resistors to do the job? I have only smoked one headlight.

You could use a resistor to limit the current but it would just waste energy in the form of heat. The correct resistance value would be equal to the hot (operating) resistance of the 6 V bulb you are using. You could find this value by measuring the current of the bulb when operating at 6 V then calculating using Ohms Law. Or find the current of the bulb from a reference chart and use Ohms Law to find the resistance. You would also have to be concerned with the power rating of the resistor - power would be calculated by multiplying voltage drop across the resistor X current through the resistor. You could use another 6 V bulb of the same type in series, that would do the same thing as a properly-sized resistor and give you some light instead of wasted heat. The solution that makes the most sense is to change the bulb to a 12 V version.

Isn't replaceing bulbs cheaper than resisters or wire 2 bulbs in series.

Easy solution - wire both bulbs in series.

(quoted from post at 09:01:31 10/18/18) You could use a resistor to limit the current but it would just waste energy in the form of heat. The correct resistance value would be equal to the hot (operating) resistance of the 6 V bulb you are using. You could find this value by measuring the current of the bulb when operating at 6 V then calculating using Ohms Law. Or find the current of the bulb from a reference chart and use Ohms Law to find the resistance. You would also have to be concerned with the power rating of the resistor - power would be calculated by multiplying voltage drop across the resistor X current through the resistor. You could use another 6 V bulb of the same type in series, that would do the same thing as a properly-sized resistor and give you some light instead of wasted heat. The solution that makes the most sense is to change the bulb to a 12 V version.

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es, a 30W resistor is probably something you don't have in your junk drawer.

Your cheapest and best solution is to buy another 12v bulb. Forget the resistor. Some things just don't adapt well to "making do".

Ultimately cheaper and easier to buy 12v bulbs....

(quoted from post at 19:17:46 10/18/18) Ultimately cheaper and easier to buy 12v bulbs....

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bsolutely! Lamps likely cheaper that power resistors.

I dont know if its a bulb or sealed beam. I'm looking at one online and wanted to keep the lens style.

(quoted from post at 21:39:36 10/18/18) I dont know if its a bulb or sealed beam. I'm looking at one online and wanted to keep the lens style.

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ust look at the back of it!

Rat Man-

Do you have an early 9N? The early N-Series lighting kits used the large bucket/truck style headlights supplied by the CM HALL LAMP CO; DETROIT, MICH. These were BEFORE the Sealed Beam style was invented. They use a twist-in bulb and are available new today at nnalert -see LINK. OEM is 6V and I don't know if there is a 12V version -call Derek and ask, if indeed you have the CM HALL's. The glass lens is removable and has the Hall name and logo PLUS the words, "TRACTOR LITE" on the lens. The CM HALL lights are highly sought after by early 9N restorers. IF you have an early 9N, why is it 12V? I'd try to keep it as original as possible, but that's just me. If you have the sealed beam style, original FORD part had "TRACT-O-LITE" stamped across the periphery of the housing. As already mentioned, the easiest solution then is to just invest in a pair of 12V sealed beam lamps. The industry standard part numbers are: 6V = 4019; 12V = 4419. FWIW, Ford N-SERIES Tractors never had factory lighting kits installed. Kits were always dealer option accessories. It wasn't until the Hundred Series, that headlights only were OEM installed. Taillights and Worklights were still options.

Tim *PloughNman* Daley(MI)
CM HALL HEADLIGHT BULB

I dont know if its a bulb or sealed beam. I'm looking at one online and wanted to keep the lens style.