vacuum headlights to electric
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 836
Likes: 26
From: Harrisburg Pa
vacuum headlights to electric
I have a 69 vette and want to convert to electric motor headlights.
I picked up a few motor assemblys to study them and have some questions. When I hook up a hot and ground wire the motor runs a full 360 degrees then shuts off, Im lost here, I thought it would run 180 degrees and shut off so I have a open and closed spot,
Someone please help me here
I picked up a few motor assemblys to study them and have some questions. When I hook up a hot and ground wire the motor runs a full 360 degrees then shuts off, Im lost here, I thought it would run 180 degrees and shut off so I have a open and closed spot,
Someone please help me here
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
All you need to convert to electric operated headlamps is time and money. Money to buy all the "stuff" you need to make it work...and time to figure out how to make all the "stuff" really work.
Considering that a $10 book and a $30 vaccum gauge...plus a couple hours to read the book and follow the diagnostic instructions...will determine what is wrong with the existing system, converting to electrics is the difficult route to take. And, more times than not, somewhere between $0 and $100 will fix the vacuum system (it may not provide new components, but the integrity and function of the system will be restored).
But, C2's had them and they worked about as well as the vacuum system. Both had their problems, but fixing the vacuum system was a lot less expensive than fixing the electrics. If the vacuum system in your car has been removed or trashed and all new components need to be purchased, it will cost about the same for either method to be re-installed.
As always, the owner's comfort level with one system over the other, and the perception of one being better than the other, will determine the direction taken. Good luck with your project, and I hope it goes well for you.
Considering that a $10 book and a $30 vaccum gauge...plus a couple hours to read the book and follow the diagnostic instructions...will determine what is wrong with the existing system, converting to electrics is the difficult route to take. And, more times than not, somewhere between $0 and $100 will fix the vacuum system (it may not provide new components, but the integrity and function of the system will be restored).
But, C2's had them and they worked about as well as the vacuum system. Both had their problems, but fixing the vacuum system was a lot less expensive than fixing the electrics. If the vacuum system in your car has been removed or trashed and all new components need to be purchased, it will cost about the same for either method to be re-installed.
As always, the owner's comfort level with one system over the other, and the perception of one being better than the other, will determine the direction taken. Good luck with your project, and I hope it goes well for you.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
"Just a guess" but some use mechanical stops to limit the headlight movement and a set of points open due to overload to turn the motor off. Ive also seen a slipper type clutch that allows the motor to turn the full 360 and then shut off.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 65
From: Kissimmee fl
Finalist 2021 C3 of the Year - Modified
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
I saw that kit and display listed by ROCK N OLD yesterday at the Sevierville expo. It was on display by the guy who makes them. Looks like a quality set up and worked very smooth. He also makes a kit to replace the wiper door actuator for the earlier cars.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Chris/Killer lights is a olde friend of mine, used to live down the road a mile or so....got transferred to Illinois in a job promotion....the man is good, I dropped by every once in a while to see his development on that system, in the time frame I was doing my own rack conversion, almost 9 years ago now....we traded notes back and forth on concepts, he is a heads up guy, his detail work is far superior to mine, 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 836
Likes: 26
From: Harrisburg Pa
I dont see the wiper conversion on the Mcspeed site
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
The wiper conversion is so easy, it's pathetic....all you need is a linear motor/actuator ~6" and mount it to the system, then figger out some relays to reverse and stop the motor when door is opening/closing....really easy, I used burglar alarm contacts/magnets...
being waterproof in plastic, they work fine on both ends of the operation...
then the trickery comes in to use a electronic 555 timer chip to make a intermittent wiper operation....AND mount the controls where the old wiper switch was in a early shark, like my '72....
being waterproof in plastic, they work fine on both ends of the operation...
then the trickery comes in to use a electronic 555 timer chip to make a intermittent wiper operation....AND mount the controls where the old wiper switch was in a early shark, like my '72....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 174
From: Fort Wayne IN
I used the Killer Lights setup and the control module out of a Firebird. That way you don't have to open your dash up to do the install. All you need to do is run is a wire from the light blue wire before the brights switch to the yellow on the module, and optionally a couple diodes and a toggle switch for an override.
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
Here is another kit: Eckler's
I have McSpeeds kit & all the parts. Just waiting to get the car a little further along before I do the electrics.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,286
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 7T1,
I read you post and got the point.
Regards,
Alan
I think it comes down to some people wanting an old car that's like an old car and others wanting an old car that's like a new car.
I read you post and got the point.
Regards,
Alan
I think it comes down to some people wanting an old car that's like an old car and others wanting an old car that's like a new car.
Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 29, 2010 at 10:34 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I am a very proud junkyard hotrodder, been doing it for some 50 years, why stop NOW???
course being a old ET and able to do wiring, is a huge help, must be able to solder a good connection....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Yet another reason I bought the Killer Lights kit. If my new build ends up with less than sufficient vacuum I'd rather do away with vacuum requirements than detune. Apparently eliminates the dreaded high-speed headlight pop up, too.