12 volt lights on H and M

Charlie M · Jul 22, 2011

A number of years ago I converted my H and M to 12 volts and put in 12 volt lights. I still have the old 4 position light switch and all I get on the lights is the equivalent of dim. What's it take to get them to work correctly. Can I just do some rewiring or do I need to get a 3 position switch made for 12 volts. I rarely need lights but I would still like to have them working right.

rustyfarmall · Jul 22, 2011

(quoted from post at 11:47:26 07/22/11) A number of years ago I converted my H and M to 12 volts and put in 12 volt lights. I still have the old 4 position light switch and all I get on the lights is the equivalent of dim. What's it take to get them to work correctly. Can I just do some rewiring or do I need to get a 3 position switch made for 12 volts. I rarely need lights but I would still like to have them working right.

That 4 position switch has low charge, high charge, dim, and bright. There is no reason it will not work on 12 volts, but some re-wiring of that switch is in order. I think the diagram for that is included in BobMs diagrams, if not maybe someone else will jump in here and give specific details. Basically it involves eliminating the wiring for the low charge and the high charge positions, and both of those positions will then become the "off" position. There is also a resistor on the switch that is used to feed the "dim" lights, but the "bright" lights bypass that resistor.

55 50 Ron · Jul 22, 2011

Sounds like the position for the bright lights isn't working. The existing switch will work just fine on either 6 or 12 volts. Shouldn't have to do any re-wiring, just make sure what's there is all in working order. Either the wires are not making proper contact or possibly the "bright" position of the switch is not making contact. Are you having the same problem on both the "H" and the "M"?

55 50 Ron · Jul 22, 2011

The low and high charge positions of the switch don't have anything to do with the light functions so there shouldn't be a need to re-wire anything.

Janicholson · Jul 23, 2011

If you run a hot wire to the lamp from the battery, (and it is charged) that is bright. If it is too dim, there may be no choice but to ad a relay and heavier draw bulbs. The switch will handle 12v on the standard bulbs (if it is good0
but 30 amps through it is not good, and on dim, the resistor will also become a "light" for a few seconds. Jim

rustyfarmall · Jul 23, 2011

I guess that is another question, do you have the correct #1143 32 candlepower bulbs? If you are using the small, #1157 tail light bulbs, they will never be very bright.

james Ashcraft · Jul 23, 2011

I have a 53 SM that I converted to 12v a few years back. For the light switch I remove it from the box and located the hot wire for the switch. next I removed the resistor - next I located the wire for the tail light hooked it to the switch - next I located the wire for the head light and hooked that to the switch. Now when I turn the lights on the dim position all the lights come on. (head and tail) When I rotate to the Bright position the head lights go out and only the tail light remains on. I don't remember anything about a high and low charge. Just a resistor to reduce the voltage to create the bright or dim lights. I would have like for the tail lights just to come on in the dim position and all come on the bright position. As I remember the two small bolts that hold the switch in the housing is a pain to install and when all the lights would work I left it alone. Hope this helps James

12 volt lights on H and M

Charlie M

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rustyfarmall

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55 50 Ron

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55 50 Ron

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Janicholson

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rustyfarmall

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james Ashcraft

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