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Headlight question

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notjustair

Well-known Member
Do high beams always run both filaments in a bulb (not sealed beam - older).

I can?t find the switch I like for the 35 Chevy, but I have the lights hooked up to an on/off style that just turns on the low beams. They are really dim, so I thought I would wire the high beam wire in there, too. I don?t want to cause it to heat up or something. It has a floor dimmer switch but the wiring is long gone off it and it is too far gone to check with ohm meter.
 
Well....on my Expedition the lows are a filament and the highs are the other filament. Think having both filaments on at the same time will get DOT people ticked off. Let us see what others say. Could be all wet.
 
My 99 pick up has a 3 position toggle switch, low beam, off, and high beam. We did not have the correct wiring harness for the blade so it got hooked up this way.
 
You might have shorter bulb life due to higher bulb temp from running both filaments. Especially with an engine that vibrates more, like an old diesel. Nothing illegal about running the low filament when the brights are on.
 
Being pre seal beam, just about anything was possible.

Will the generator keep up running both at the same time?

Can you open up the floor switch and see how it is made? That would give a clue if they were either/or or both.
 
On most vehicles I think it's one or the other, but when you use the flash to pass feature then you have both. Drive up to your closed garage door some night and test them!
 
There are several good after market companies that would have a new dimmer switch available - some being Jim Carter in Independence, MO or LMC Truck in Lenexa, KS. I wouldn't wire both elements to be on at the same time. Complete wiring harnesses are also available. Just wiring a new dimmer switch is pretty easy.
 
I live near KC so I checked both - LMC doesn?t go that old, and Jim Carter had the dimmer but didn?t have the switch. I want to replace both if I?m opening it up but want good quality so I guess I wait.
 
6 volt from 1935. The lights are pretty much the Braille method of driving so I doubt anyone wants me to dim them. It would just be handy for when I get caught feeding after dark.
 
Try this. One may work for you. https://www.brotherstrucks.com/Switches-Relays/products/1320/

I have used stuff from Brothers with success.
 
Something here may be useful. This is from EBAY and some are SPENDY

https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=IfqFW6O5Oern_Qae5qvoDg&q=light+switch+for+1935+chevy+truck&oq=light+switch+for+1935&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.35i39k
 
My51 gmc has a floor dimmer switch. The switch is able to handle the load with no relays, direct connection. Jim
a278232.jpg
 
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