BCM Community

Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: jatnip on February 01, 2008, 04:49:17 PM

Title: need 24 volt high beam headlight
Post by: jatnip on February 01, 2008, 04:49:17 PM
Howdy
We are in FL and busted a high beam headlight on our 1979 MCI-9.  This is a 24 volt bulb.  Anyone has one out this way?  Will be in FL, SC, NC, GA, TN, KY,
then heading back to WY.
Thanks in advance
Jim
Title: Re: need 24 volt high beam headlight
Post by: tekebird on February 01, 2008, 05:00:22 PM
i have one in pa
Title: Re: need 24 volt high beam headlight
Post by: makemineatwostroke on February 01, 2008, 05:04:32 PM
NAPA AUTO can get you 1 overnight
Title: Re: need 24 volt high beam headlight
Post by: orfunauto/Darrell on February 01, 2008, 05:28:26 PM
I have two here in NC.  call me at nine one nine five six six nine eight one zero, if you still need one.

Darrell
Title: Re: need 24 volt high beam headlight
Post by: Sojourner on February 01, 2008, 10:32:38 PM
Or you can replace both dim and/or bright 24v seal beams for 12v unit and rewired so it in series. MCI manual have instruction on it. Only draw back is if one of 2 is burn out...the other will quit until burn out is replace. You only need 1 wire to connect from right beam to left beam or vice-versa.
This is much cheaper & easily to purchase at lower cost.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry 
Title: Re: need 24 volt high beam headlight
Post by: JackConrad on February 02, 2008, 05:48:32 AM
MCI had a drawing on their website showing how to replace bulbs using 12 volt bulbs wired in series as Jerry mentioned, but they add a center tap wire between the bulds so that if 1 burns out the other will continue to light. Jack
Title: Re: need 24 volt high beam headlight
Post by: Sojourner on February 02, 2008, 09:57:31 AM
Thanks Jack for correcting my post.
That needed to be mention.
Thanks again.
Title: Re: need 24 volt high beam headlight
Post by: buswarrior on February 02, 2008, 02:14:46 PM
Yup, really easy.

Think about the 240/120 split in your house.

positive is one hot, ground is the other, centre tap is the neutral.

To turn the lights on and off, you have to switch the positive and the centre tap with a double pole switching device.

protect the centre tap and the positive with the CB/fuse of your choice.

For many of our buses, a re-wire of the tangled mess of crimps and repairs that is the headlight wiring wouldn't be a bad thing.

happy coaching!
buswarrior
Title: Re: need 24 volt high beam headlight
Post by: Busted Knuckle on February 04, 2008, 08:41:01 AM
You can also get the 24 V bulbs from MCI parts dept. They have one in Orlando. But personally I'd do as suggested and swwitch them over to 12 V.
;D  BK  ;D
Title: Re: need 24 volt high beam headlight
Post by: Stan on February 04, 2008, 09:35:57 AM
If you have a Vanner Equalizer (or equivalent) you can run all your exterior lights directly off 12 volts.
Title: Re: need 24 volt high beam headlight
Post by: jatnip on February 04, 2008, 09:35:12 PM
Howdy

before i posted this site I checked with MCI and they don't even have them and can not even get them.  Also checked with NAPA and was at there main area distribution plant and they don't even carry them either.  Unless you guys are having better luck than I have been having they are not advailable anymore so still looking. 
Thanks
Jim
Title: Re: need 24 volt high beam headlight
Post by: Lin on February 04, 2008, 09:58:14 PM
I found this site.  They seem to have everything.  The link is for their section for searching by GE number.  If you do not find what you want, call them.  I have not used them yet, but it would look to me that if they do not have it, it will be difficult to get.  Let me know what happens.  It is likely that I will be looking for something similar in the future.

       http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/ecart/catalog/catge-1.html
Title: Re: need 24 volt high beam headlight
Post by: Busted Knuckle on February 05, 2008, 09:17:18 AM
Quote from: jatnip on February 04, 2008, 09:35:12 PM
Howdy

before i posted this site I checked with MCI and they don't even have them and can not even get them.  Also checked with NAPA and was at there main area distribution plant and they don't even carry them either.  Unless you guys are having better luck than I have been having they are not advailable anymore so still looking. 
Thanks
Jim

Hi Jim,
I hate it when the morons on the other end of the phone are cluless about anything that is not right there in front of them. And they are to ignorant & lazy to do some searching or find someone who will! Call the MCI center in Lebonan, TN and get their parts dept on the phone, we ordered a set of 24V headlights for Captn Ron (then Captn Ron now Charley Davidson) as he was leaving our bus bash last yr (Sept. 06) he was heading to Nashville anyway and was going to ride his bike over and pick them up. I don't think he ever made it over to pick them up, so they should still have those in stock. But even if they don't have them in stock, they are not clueless idiots who can't get what you need because it takes a little effort (called doing your job {what your boss is paying you to do} & helping customers resolve issues!). I can tell you first hand that whoever I spoke with on the phone was very knowledgable and helpful !(as they always are when I need something!)
If you still can't get anywhere give me a call and I'll make the call (sometimes they don't put any effort into helping a busnut where as we are regular MCI customers with our charter service & shop). Good Luck!
;D  BK  ;D
Title: Re: need 24 volt high beam headlight
Post by: makemineatwostroke on February 05, 2008, 10:55:54 AM
Jatnip, I checked with my Napa Auto and they have 9 for the 2 light system and 23 hi beam and 28 low beam for the 4 headlight systems at the warehouse here in Phoenix.Napa lists the lights as 28v on the computer I was told  so try that