24 volt halogen headlights

Fredward · November 29, 2009, 07:35:39 PM

I sort of discussed this topic earlier. But is there a direct Halogen replacement for the 24volt round tungsten headlamps on my MC-5? They seem so dim. Or is the color of the light they produce just warmer (lower temperature) than Halogen so they seem dimmer? I've got 24 volts at all four lamps when I test them with VOM.
Fred

belfert · November 29, 2009, 07:47:55 PM

Why not change them to 12 volt like many do? I think the most common method is to center the batteries for 12 volts and then use relays to send power to the lights. It would be better to use an equalizer than to center tap the batteries.

Fredward · November 29, 2009, 07:54:27 PM

I'm lazy, cheap and want to keep it simple.

I figure it could be an easy parts swap. I don't want to change the headlight system to 12 Volt at this time.

fred

belfert · November 29, 2009, 08:26:28 PM

The extra cost of the 24 volt headlights might pay for the conversion pretty quick. A couple of relays aren't that expensive.

If you ever get over to my side of town I could give you enough 24 volt 30 amp relays to do the job. No sockets as they are soldered to the board.

bevans6 · November 30, 2009, 05:45:54 AM

My MC-5C has a kit from MCI that has a couple of little boxes that convert the 24v feed to 12V. It has a square headlight conversion as well. Standard lights, about $5 at any auto supply store. If one of the little boxes fails the backup is to run the light from the Vanner tapped supply until a new converter can be found or made.

Brian

belfert · November 30, 2009, 05:51:54 AM

Quote from: belfert on November 29, 2009, 08:26:28 PM
If you ever get over to my side of town I could give you enough 24 volt 30 amp relays to do the job. No sockets as they are soldered to the board.

To clarify, the relays are not soldered to the board. The relays are socketed and I don't have any sockets to go with them. I read what I posted initially and figured it might be confusing.

Sean · November 30, 2009, 06:18:00 AM

24-volt sealed beams are hard to find.

My bus uses standard H4 bulbs (inside a custom rectangular lamp assembly), and I have no trouble ordering the bulbs on the internet. They are about twice as much as 12-volt bulbs, but they seldom burn out. I drive with my lights on day or night, ~20,000 miles a year, and I have replaced four bulbs in five years, but two of those were from physical damage (long story).

You might measure and see if some of the lexan H4 conversion housings will fit your enclosures, such as these:
http://www.4x4xplor.com/ipf-h4.html
or lower down on this page:
http://www.slickcar.com/sub2results.asp?Sub2=84

Then you can buy the 24-volt H4 lamps and be done with it.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

Ed Hackenbruch · November 30, 2009, 06:48:04 AM

PO mounted a TransPo voltage reducer on the wall behind or in front of the steering column. (depending on how you want to look at it.

) Has 3 wires. He said he changed to 12 volt headlights due to price and availability. All of the marking lights are still 24 volt.

gumpy · November 30, 2009, 08:34:41 AM

Fred,

If you decide to convert you headlights, let me know. We could do that one day this winter. I have the relays, bases, and schematics necessary. Not difficult to do.

craig

BC Bus · November 30, 2009, 12:38:26 PM

About seven years ago I bought the conversion kit, 5.75 inch rounds at a CIBIE distributor in Socal called Ardvark. These are H4 and H1 bulbs in 24v, and they come with the new lens that fit into the old headlight buckets The kits are a little pricey but only one has burned out since then and these are the Euro style lights and are so much better than standard lights. I just talked to the Tech and they still have the 24v bulbs but they don't advertise them on the internet.

Try this for the contact info

http://www.cibieusa.com/cibie_main_frameset.htm

christopher · November 30, 2009, 03:46:34 PM

i used and have cibie 24v headlights. had for 8 years anyway. no problems.
good luck
chris

Fredward · December 01, 2009, 07:20:03 PM

Brian, Craig:
Thanks for the offers; I'm still undecided which approach to take. I still have 24volt heat and defrost fans and starter so the headlights can stay 24 volt too I suppose. They're expensive but so is a battery equalizer; is it not?

I'm going to keep researching.

Fred

gumpy · December 01, 2009, 07:30:38 PM

Quote from: Fredward on December 01, 2009, 07:20:03 PM
Brian, Craig:
Thanks for the offers; I'm still undecided which approach to take. I still have 24volt heat and defrost fans and starter so the headlights can stay 24 volt too I suppose. They're expensive but so is a battery equalizer; is it not?

I'm going to keep researching.

Fred

I wouldn't do it with an equalizer. I'd do it like the 9's. 12v bulbs in series on 24v feed with a 12v backup from the center tap. We can discuss it and I can send a schematic if you want
to familiarize yourself with the setup.

cs