Headlamp Bulbs 6012 versus 6014

[Bud]

I have a headlight relay on my Avanti because the wiring in those cars is suspect at best, but my 62 Hawk and my girlfriends 63 Lark have halogen headlights with no relays and there haven't been any problems. I did clean all of the connections in the headlight circuits in all of the cars though. The use of relays as close to the headlights as possible will make the halogen bulbs a bunch brighter because there isn't much of a voltage drop through the relays. My Avanti has bright headlights and the tail and instrument lights are brighter because the load from the headlights has been taken away from the head light switch. Bud

[Hawklover]

Mmmm...nope, something's wrong there. The low beam of a 6012 is 40w at 12.8v, which would be 3.13A approx. Translating to 14v would yield about 46W, which would be 3.3A. > a 6014 draws 3 amps 50w at 12.8v = 3.9A58w at 14v = 4.1A > and a 6024 draws 1.75 amps 35w at 12.8v = 2.7A40w at 14v = 2.9A > On> high beam a 6012 draws 3 amps 50w at 12.8v = 3.9A58w at 14v = 4.1A > a 6014 draws 3.5 amps 60w at 12.8v = 4.7A69w at 14v = 4.9A > a 6024 draws 4 amps 65w at 12.8v = 5.1A75w at 14v = 5.4A Might want to check the calibration of your VOM!

[Hawklover]

Mmmm...nope, something's wrong there. The low beam of a 6012 is 40w at 12.8v, which would be 3.13A approx. Translating to 14v would yield about 46W, which would be 3.3A. > a 6014 draws 3 amps 50w at 12.8v = 3.9A58w at 14v = 4.1A > and a 6024 draws 1.75 amps 35w at 12.8v = 2.7A40w at 14v = 2.9A > On> high beam a 6012 draws 3 amps 50w at 12.8v = 3.9A58w at 14v = 4.1A > a 6014 draws 3.5 amps 60w at 12.8v = 4.7A69w at 14v = 4.9A > a 6024 draws 4 amps 65w at 12.8v = 5.1A75w at 14v = 5.4A Might want to check the calibration of your VOM!

I ran a test on 6012, 6014 and 6024 headlights this afternoon. At 14 volts a 6012 bulb draws 2 amps on low beam, a 6014 draws 3 amps and a 6024 draws 1.75 amps. On high beam a 6012 draws 3 amps, a 6014 draws 3.5 amps and a 6024 draws 4 amps. The increase in current draw between the 6012 and the 6024 headlights shouldn't cause problems with a headlight circuit that is in good condition. Bud

[mmagic]

I've picked up halogen relay kits on ebay for about $20 to $30 and used them on Cherokees, Comanche's and my Champ. I absolutely will use one on the Speedster.

[StudeRich]

On '60 thru '66 Larks and Lark types my experience has been there is always high resistance at the usually damp, above the floor mounted Dimmer Switch, this is the biggest culprit I have found.
Sometimes it is the Dimmer Switch, but most times it is the poor connections that trip the 20 AMP Headlight Circuit Breaker.
I always blamed my Halogen Headlights for worsening the problem, but I can't say for sure which it is, maybe BOTH.

Definitely NOT fun, on a Dark country road on a Dark Night!

This is on many '63's and a few '64's over 51 years.

It is somewhat odd that on all my '54 to '59's with the under the floor Dimmer, outside in the weather with the rock and mud shield over it but all the left front wheel water and moisture nearby, no problems at all!