LED 7" Round Headlamp Update
LED Headlamps draw less current than traditional lamps. They do not take bulbs. The whole lamp has to be purchased. Just like when buying sealed beam headlamps.
For a sealed beam, halogen sealed beam or an H4 type lamp, current draw depended on the specifics. They are designed to work at approximately 14 volts. The voltage available drives the current draw and brightness. Other than the out of production Nighthawks, H6024 low beams are rated as 35 Watts. So they draw less current than either 6012 or 6014 lamps on low beam while supposedly meeting the same lighting standard. Most H4 bulbs draw a little more current than the sealed beams depending on which one we are comparing to.
Power = Voltage x Current
Four H4 bulbs compared.
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/interesting-headlight-bulb-test-results.392498/
A-bodies through '72 came with 6012 headlamps.
This Wagner catalog lists them as 40/50 Watt. The * indicates they are just listed for reference.
Note power is given at the minimum design voltage (12.8 V) rather than the typical operating voltage (14-14.5 V)
6014 was a common replacement. 50/60 Watt
Chrysler started using 6014 bulbs in 1973.
Our cars have a long current path to the headlamp. Its not just age. The final leg of the headlight circuit in A-bodies is 18 gage wire. A relay harness takes the load off that 18 gage wire, shortens the path, and reduces the load at the alternator's bulkhead connection.
Lets make this a more accurate.
LED Headlamps draw less current than traditional lamps. They do not take bulbs. The whole lamp has to be purchased. Just like when buying sealed beam headlamps.
For a sealed beam, halogen sealed beam or an H4 type lamp, current draw depended on the specifics. They are designed to work at approximately 14 volts. The voltage available drives the current draw and brightness. Other than the out of production Nighthawks, H6024 low beams are rated as 35 Watts. So they draw less current than either 6012 or 6014 lamps on low beam while supposedly meeting the same lighting standard. Most H4 bulbs draw a little more current than the sealed beams depending on which one we are comparing to.
Power = Voltage x Current
Four H4 bulbs compared.
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/interesting-headlight-bulb-test-results.392498/
A-bodies through '72 came with 6012 headlamps.
This Wagner catalog lists them as 40/50 Watt. The * indicates they are just listed for reference.
Note power is given at the minimum design voltage (12.8 V) rather than the typical operating voltage (14-14.5 V)
6014 was a common replacement. 50/60 Watt
Chrysler started using 6014 bulbs in 1973.
Our cars have a long current path to the headlamp. Its not just age. The final leg of the headlight circuit in A-bodies is 18 gage wire. A relay harness takes the load off that 18 gage wire, shortens the path, and reduces the load at the alternator's bulkhead connection.