Driving lights

desh Wolfsburg Wizard

463 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 26 Jan 2009, 3:43 pm

#691597

Does anyone still make or supply 6 volt driving lights for Beetle's?

Looking at some other threads here, it seems from my understanding that you need Beetle specific brackets to mount them to the front of the car,

The other option would be ebay I guess, keeping an eye out for an old set to pop up.

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Kind Regards
Des

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 26 Jan 2009, 5:45 pm

#691615

Hi
Back in the 60s , You could buy driving lights which mounted on the top round bar above the bumper...

before this people mounted them on the top of the over riders...

6v driving lamps.. YIKES...

the bulbs would be very difficult and expensive and not as good as any driving lights on cars today..
ie.. Quartz halogen and Now Xenon..

You can also upgrade Your 6 volt bulbs with Quartz halogen bulbs... I'm not sure where you get them , but someone on here will be able to tell You...
they will be double the brightness of the standard bulbs..

You can also mount driving lights on top of the over riders
or alternately, a piece of steel that clamps to the bumper bracket and goes straight up into a 90 degrees to mount the light onto... [or anything can be welded..?]

You may be able to find a round clamp to go round the top of the round bar from a pushbike or motor cycle shop
and bolt a modern spot lamp to it..

or keep a look out on ebay and at swap meets...

LEE

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- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

thugbug Wolfsburg Wizard

405 posts · joined Mar 2008 · 26 Jan 2009, 8:04 pm

#691641

Or a small nudge bar like the one pictured in my avatar. cheers

thugbug Wolfsburg Wizard

405 posts · joined Mar 2008 · 26 Jan 2009, 8:12 pm

#691645

A close-up pic. cheers

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 26 Jan 2009, 8:28 pm

#691649

6V halogen driving lamp globes are still available to the best of my knowledge ( I saw Classic & Vintage Globes in SA phone 088278493 in a magazine recently advertising them) it should only be a matter of fitting them to the light of your choice. As for quality I used 6v driving lamps on my Ghia for a lot of years quite successfully (no street lighting west of Wingham ) i hope this helps. cheers les

sinecure Want another... :(

1,031 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 26 Jan 2009, 8:38 pm

#691655

Or use a step-up transformer to get your 6 volt system powering 12 volt lights (a reversed step down will do the same trick). Might be easier, and probably cheaper in the end.

A POSSE AD ESSE.

I live in my own little world, but it's okay, they know me here.

desh Wolfsburg Wizard

463 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 26 Jan 2009, 8:47 pm

#691660

sinecure wrote:Or use a step-up transformer to get your 6 volt system powering 12 volt lights (a reversed step down will do the same trick). Might be easier, and probably cheaper in the end.

You mean get a set of chrome 12 volts and I could use them on my car?

As I want to keep it as original as possible, if I am unable to find a set of period lights.

--------------------------
Kind Regards
Des

sinecure Want another... :(

1,031 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 27 Jan 2009, 12:27 pm

#691777

desh wrote:
sinecure wrote:Or use a step-up transformer to get your 6 volt system powering 12 volt lights (a reversed step down will do the same trick). Might be easier, and probably cheaper in the end.
You mean get a set of chrome 12 volts and I could use them on my car?

As I want to keep it as original as possible, if I am unable to find a set of period lights.

Yep, if your system is 6 volt, most electrical/electronics shops should be able to set you up with a step transformer to up the voltage, even if its just to run standard, buy anywhere 12 volt bulbs in 6 volt housings (assuming that the fitting is the same).

If you don't want to drill holes in your nice, shiny bumper, fab up some mounts that use existing bolts somewhere on the bumper/front end as suggested above.

A POSSE AD ESSE.

I live in my own little world, but it's okay, they know me here.

General_Failure Use your head, don't abuse it!

1,036 posts · joined Jun 2004 · 27 Jan 2009, 2:25 pm

#691797

Hey. Hey. Careful what you are saying here. If we are talking just a straight transformer they need either a pulsed current or AC to function because they work from field collapse.

However the voltage converter transformer packs that have the necessary circuitry, go for it if you can find one that can source enough current.

Using 6v halogens is probably a better option though.

Exhaust clamps come in all different sizes and work well for going on to round things. I use them for attaching things. Only issue is making a bracket can be a royal PITA.

If at first you don't succeed. Build, build again.
Vehicle: 1975 Special order delivery walkthrough panel based LCA pop-top camper. Motor: Nippon 1.8L Single port Wasserboxer, Transmission: 3 rib 002.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 27 Jan 2009, 4:52 pm

#691828

desh wrote:You mean get a set of chrome 12 volts and I could use them on my car?

As I want to keep it as original as possible, if I am unable to find a set of period lights.

Hi,
You cannot use a a stepup transformer....
Radio Shack [tandy] used to make 6v to 12v converters for using low power transistorised radios years ago...
They Would NOT handle 55 watts or more....

You would have to change the 12v Bulbs for 6 Volt ones
they are available from a place in South Australia.
He makes bulbs for everything...
You want to replace the "normal" 12v 55w Quartz Halogen bulbs with 6 Volt ones...
All You need to do then is make up some brackets...
Very easy as I've done it heaps of times...
I don't recommend you putting driving lights forward of your bumper... as anyone can back into them...
also its illegal in NSW to have any front Protrusions...
that can hurt a pedestrian...

check out brightlightautoparts on E Bay...
they have quality driving lamps at good prices..

cheers

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

sinecure Want another... :(

1,031 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 27 Jan 2009, 5:53 pm

#691852

I should have been more careful, as I based my research on 6v to 12v at 250W/20A, so perhaps I should have included this in the original post:

http://www.powerstream.com/dc6-12.htm

Yes it's a converter/regulator, rather than a straight transformer/inverter, and its an expensive up-front cost, but this was the best one I found, not the cheapest, and it specifically mentions VW:

"The PSTC-0624012 is an exciting new 250 Watt DC converter that can be used with either negative ground or positive ground cars. Negative ground cars like vintage Volkswagens and Porches can now run 12 volt electronics."

Am I forgiven?

A POSSE AD ESSE.

I live in my own little world, but it's okay, they know me here.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 27 Jan 2009, 6:53 pm

#691865

I knew there would have been something out there
but it would certainly cost more than a couple of 6 volt QH bulbs...

but some people do go to extremes so they can keep some original features of their car...

I heard of one 6 volt VW Kombi owner years ago used a 6 volt torch battery in series with the 6 volts from His kombi battery... the Radio was a 12 volt transisitorised single speaker unit that didn't use much power...
it worked for years and was still going when he sold the car.... lol

cheers

LEE

PS: in the 60s, You could buy an 8 volt car battery..
these were used in Beetles as most other cars were 12 volts... they kept the headlamps a bit brighter and staring was easier too... LEE

sinecure wrote:I should have been more careful, as I based my research on 6v to 12v at 250W/20A, so perhaps I should have included this in the original post:

http://www.powerstream.com/dc6-12.htm

Yes it's a converter/regulator, rather than a straight transformer/inverter, and its an expensive up-front cost, but this was the best one I found, not the cheapest, and it specifically mentions VW:

"The PSTC-0624012 is an exciting new 250 Watt DC converter that can be used with either negative ground or positive ground cars. Negative ground cars like vintage Volkswagens and Porches can now run 12 volt electronics."

Am I forgiven?

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

desh Wolfsburg Wizard

463 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 27 Jan 2009, 7:04 pm

#691869

68AutoBug wrote:PS: in the 60s, You could buy an 8 volt car battery..
these were used in Beetles as most other cars were 12 volts... they kept the headlamps a bit brighter and staring was easier too... LEE

That's interesting, never heard of an 8volt car before, wouldn't happen to know what they were used in?

--------------------------
Kind Regards
Des

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 27 Jan 2009, 8:33 pm

#691897

Only used in 6V Beetles and Kombis....
the voltage regulator needed a slight adjustment..
and the cars just started better and the lights were OK..

I don't think they were made by any Large company
a fellow in Newcastle used to make them...

My father had one in a beetle...

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

desh Wolfsburg Wizard

463 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 27 Jan 2009, 8:43 pm

#691901

ah cool thanks,

thanks for everyone's responses, has given me a few ideas.

--------------------------
Kind Regards
Des