54 12 volt---use what for a headlight switch?

[Mike E.]

I'm helping with a 54 that has a V8 in it and has the gauges converted to 12 volt. All the bulbs are also changed--but the headlight switch has not been changed, and the headlights flash on and off as if there is an internal circuit breaker. What do you use for a switch? The 56-57 has different terminals--what about a 55?

[Mike M.]

Re: 54 12 volt---use what for a headlight switch?

as i recall, there's a circuit breaker built into the 53 and 54 switches. maybe yer buddy roy b can answer the" will the 55 switch work" question.. regards, mike

[Roy B.]

Re: 54 12 volt---use what for a headlight switch?

I'm helping with a 54 that has a V8 in it and has the gauges converted to 12 volt. All the bulbs are also changed--but the headlight switch has not been changed, and the headlights flash on and off as if there is an internal circuit breaker. What do you use for a switch? The 56-57 has different terminals--what about a 55?

Your harness ends are different , the 54 6V switch should work it's just a on-off switch
But the rheostat to dim the lights may burn out,and the 6V harness is not made to carry 12V the 55 is the same as 56-57

[Mike E.]

Re: 54 12 volt---use what for a headlight switch?

I was aware the terminals were different--is there a switch that will readily work? Surely someone has done this interchange before and used a V8 in a 54!

[Joe R.]

Re: 54 12 volt---use what for a headlight switch?

Mike, my 54 was a V8 12 volt for most of it's life (40+ years) and used the 6v headlight switch and dimmer rheostat for all that time with no problems. Remember, 12 volts uses less current than 6 volts; the switch contacts and rheostat winding are under less strain at 12 volts. Also, the 6 volt wiring carries less resistance than 12 volt wiring due to the wire sizes being generally larger, so the 12 volts will work well with the 6 volt wiring.

Your circuit breaker issue sounds like a dead short to ground somewhere. Maybe the headlamp circuit is mis-wired?

Joe

[Chuck W.]

Re: 54 12 volt---use what for a headlight switch?

I don't see why the 54 harness would not handle a 12V system. At 12V, given the same Wattage, the current would be half that of an equivalent 6V system. The problem is usually the opposite.... when someone replaces a battery cable in a 6V system, for example, with a 12V cable. The diameter is smaller because the 12V system has a lower current requirement. Thus the new 12V cable will not be able to carry the needed 6V system current requirement. Ohms law!

[Bruce B.]

Re: 54 12 volt---use what for a headlight switch?

My old V8 54 #0039 used all the 6 volt electrical components except for the bulbs and flasher. Drove it for a year or so with no problems. As stated in an earlier post the wires are of a larger gauge for the 6 volts and handle the 12 volts without any problems.
Bruce B.

[John H.]

Re: 54 12 volt---use what for a headlight switch?

When I bought my '53, painted it black, converted it to 12 volts, and stuffed a '58 Buick nailhead in it (in '59, when the photo below was taken), I used the existing headlight switch and had no problems.