Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks
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1941 Master Deluxe, still 6v using a stock generator.
Driving to sunrise Easter service since it was pitch black out at 5:30 AM in the morning we decided to use the fog lights for the first time to add a little light. They shined nice and bright for a bit then there was a click and all of the lights went out, dash, headlights everything. Kept the engine running and turned of all the headlight and fog light switches, heard a click, pulled out the head light switch and they came back on no issue. Never had any issue using just the headlights. Did not use the fogs and headlights together again.
We had replaced the questionable original switch when re-wiring the car with one with a modern breaker in it. I am crediting this with the reason that the lights came on in a few seconds. Unfortunately we wired the fogs off of the auxiliary location on the switch and I think with the headlights they are pulling to many amps. Where should they get there power from? I want their draw to be reflected on the amp meter and for them to be protected with a fuse. Should I just run yet another wire to the post on the amp meter? How have others done this?
FYI I normally avoid driving the car at night but this was a special occasion for the holiday.
Hilton, New York
1941 Chevrolet Master Deluxe
1987 Monte Carlo LS
2001 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
Use a relay that comes off the generator to power the fog lights. Wire the switch leg of the relay to your switch terminal now used for the fog lights. When you turn your fog lights they'll draw power directly from the generator and not go though the headlight switch. You can fuse it with an in-line fuse.
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1938 Master Business Coupe
1953 210 Sedan
Thanks, I was thinking about connecting it directly to the battery. Had not considered the generator.
Hilton, New York
1941 Chevrolet Master Deluxe
1987 Monte Carlo LS
2001 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
The battery works too. Whatever works best for you. I put a 6v alternator on my 38 and have mine powered directly off of the alternator via a relay.
7046 old site posts
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet
1938 Master Business Coupe
1953 210 Sedan
Depending on the model the generator output goes to the regulator cut out (very early models the cutout is attached to the generator) then to the battery and alternator the output goes direct to the battery. On modern relays pins 86 and 87 are the control connections and pin 30 is supply, the other pin (5 pin has 2 load pins) are load. I have had very little to do with the early type relays so dont know how they are labelled.
Tony
I have some past experience with 6v automotive relays. The ones I have used on other projects the terminals where labeled the same as the 12v ones. I will use that for the fog lights. Sounds like the hardest part will be finding a place to mount the relay.
One caution that I found the hard way is that not all of the 6v ones work as they claim. I purchased some from a parts store and if the voltage from the switch was not exactly 6v or higher they did not work. This was an issue when the voltage fluctuated around 6v. Bought some others online and they work great. Using the test probe they trigger as low as 5v without issue.
Hilton, New York
1941 Chevrolet Master Deluxe
1987 Monte Carlo LS
2001 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
That's good to know. Have any part numbers you recommend for the ones that worked better? Thanks
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