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I was thinking about rewiring my headlight bulbs. I was wondering about wiring the low beam filament to stay on when switching to hi beam- in other words at hi beam both filaments would be lit. Any pros or cons? Car is 38 coupe

It will be interesting to see if the low beam will be visable while the hi beam is on...
Maybe bench test a bulb ?

I'd wonder about the affect of all that additional heat on the filament life. If you're not satisfied with the factory lights, why not just install 6-volt halogen bulbs. There aren't many that are not available.

It will increase current draw an unknown amount so would measure exactly how much each filament draws individually and then together with an amp meter before committing to the change. Would almost surely be above the amount of current the headlight switch is designed to normally provide and could cause some damage there. To avoid that possibility, would require a separate fused circuit thru relays to eliminate the extra draw in switch. Another possible point of problem could be the headlight bulb connector itself which also might not be able to carry the increase on the common or ground terminal without overheating. Am also not sure how much current your generator puts out so any chance it would it be at full output all the time lights are on?

Good question. I assume from your post that u are talking BULBS and not Sealed beams. I'm currently running 6v headlite bulbs in a tail lite assembly. Altho the stop lite is internittent with tail lite i have had no problems. Been using it that way now for over 8 years.

The problem i have encountered is that there is very little difference between burning both or just one filament.

I doubt that u will gain much lite effect by buring both at the same time.

Maybe go with a higher candle power bulb or follow Owens advice for HAlogen.

Auxillary lites are probably the best idea. I prefer fog lites. They can be adjusted for various angles of beam location. I like to lite up a broad area to each side of the road.

Personaly, i see no difference between my 6 Volt SEALED BEAMS and my 12 sealed beams. So 6v SEALED BEAM conversion mite be the fastest and cheapest route to go. Electrical system should handle the sealed beam conversion just fine.

It's sometimes just assumed that a higher voltage system means brighter bulbs. Let's remember that a bulb rated at 32 candlepower at 6 volts provides the same illumination as a bulb rated at 32 candlepower at 12 volts.

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Owen Thank you. Yes 32CP is 32CP. I could see this one being carried on by the 6 volt verses 12 volt guys for weeks. You will understand this joke we had on the wall of our electronics shop on the Kitty Hawk. It said in big red letters [flash=,]CAUTION 20,000 OHMS[/flash]. You would be surprised how many people were very carful not to touch anything around that sign.

Now thats funny!

I too would RESIST touching anything around that sign.

(o {I} o)

Oooow. that one hurt!