Circuit breaker and headlight relay.

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I just found out that I am missing the main circuit breaker. I need to know the Amps to buy one from the parts store, Does anyone know what the amperage should be? I do not believe voltage matters, because the circuit breakers we were looking at only listed amperage not volts.

I am also investigating 6 Volt headlight relays. Dave Kostansek had them but I have not been able to contact him today to see if he still carries them. There was also an Ad in the WTN for them, but now that I want to buy one I can't locate it.

There was a previous post on the forum asking for part numbers for relays.
Here is what I found on the internet. I do not know if these are single or dual. Vintage Auto Parts 1-800-426-5911, 6 V Headlight relay $34.95. No part number.

Bus Boys part number 311-941-581C $40.00 bus-boys.com/switches. Reproduced for VW vans or vanagons.

Daniel Stern uses a NAPA ST86, this is a starter solenoid, this would work but I think it is a little overkill.

I've read the articles on Ken Cate's and Dave S's web sites and the article by Geoff in the last WTN. I now know how, just need one.

I am watching the one on EBAY, but want to contact Dave K first before bidding. I would rather get one off a fellow Hudson owner if possible.

Comments

  • 50C8DAN
    50C8DAN Senior Contributor
    You might also try NAPA for the Echlin 6V dual headlight relay (NAPA part # HR-300). I got one off of ebay for $7.
  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    Well now, the amp rating for the main relay kinda depends on what you're running with it.



    If you're running the headlights without a relay, you'll need one to handle the amps the headlights will pull. If you install a relay, however, you only need to be concerned with the coil amperage which is much less, and a simple fuse might do the job.



    Also, I'd consider the dimmer switch. If you put the relay(s) after the switch you can use a 12V one with lighter contacts which are more readily available. If the relay is before the switch, you will need an old 6V heavy duty dimmer (or brighter) switch.



    Personally, I put 2 relays after the dimmer. One for high beam and one for low, so my old switches run low amps and don't burn the contacts.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Amperage is cut in half if you double the voltage. So, if you have a 6VDC switch rated at 20 amps, you run 12VDC through the same switch, you now have 10 amps. Your stock 6VDC switch should handle that without problems. Adding a relay is extra insurance.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    66patrick66 wrote:
    Amperage is cut in half if you double the voltage. So, if you have a 6VDC switch rated at 20 amps, you run 12VDC through the same switch, you now have 10 amps. Your stock 6VDC switch should handle that without problems. Adding a relay is extra insurance.

    I am missing the stock circuit breaker and I do not know the amperage for it. The mechanical procedure manual does not give an amperage rating for the circuit breaker.

    However, the wire size coming off the AUX post is 16 ga and the amperage rating for 16 ga wire is 6 amps. So I would assume the circuit breaker would be rated at 5 amps. Now the wire to the headlight switch comes off the BAT side of the breaker and does not go through the breaker, it is a size 12 ga and is rated at 20 amps. The problem with Hudson wiring is that, according to the wiring diagram, there is no fuse or circuit breaker between the Battery and the headlight or ignition switch and the majority of the lightning system. This means that you have a 10 ga wire off the battery capable of handling 25 amps feeding wires of 12 ga down to 16 ga that will only handle 6 amps. I am not an electrical engineer, and there is probably a safety margin built into wire sizes and a 16 ga wire would probably handle 25 amps for a short period, but a fuse between the circuit breaker and the light switch would offer some more protection against fire.

    I want the stock breaker because I will wire the headlights so they can be changed back to stock if I want to show the car as original. I am not planning on changing to 12 volts.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    50C8DAN wrote:
    You might also try NAPA for the Echlin 6V dual headlight relay (NAPA part # HR-300). I got one off of ebay for $7.


    Thanks Dan, when I went to the parts store today the only number I had was the ST 86. And as I said before I thought that would be over kill. Are you running the Halogen lights from Daniel Stern off that relay?

    Pat
  • 50C8DAN
    50C8DAN Senior Contributor
    I have not installed the relay and associated parts yet. I just put the car in storage for the winter and hope to have all the wiring and other parts ready for he spring. I plan to install the Daniel Stern lights and will beef up the cross over wires and bucket wires accordingly.



    I am not sure the Echlin number is still a good number since the relay I have is NOS but purchased on ebay from a guy that had it a long time.
  • mars55
    mars55 Senior Contributor
    However, the wire size coming off the AUX post is 16 ga and the amperage rating for 16 ga wire is 6 amps. So I would assume the circuit breaker would be rated at 5 amps. Now the wire to the headlight switch comes off the BAT side of the breaker and does not go through the breaker, it is a size 12 ga and is rated at 20 amps. The problem with Hudson wiring is that, according to the wiring diagram, there is no fuse or circuit breaker between the Battery and the headlight or ignition switch and the majority of the lightning system. This means that you have a 10 ga wire off the battery capable of handling 25 amps feeding wires of 12 ga down to 16 ga that will only handle 6 amps. I am not an electrical engineer, and there is probably a safety margin built into wire sizes and a 16 ga wire would probably handle 25 amps for a short period, but a fuse between the circuit breaker and the light switch would offer some more protection against fire.

    I want the stock breaker because I will wire the headlights so they can be changed back to stock if I want to show the car as original. I am not planning on changing to 12 volts.[/QUOTE]



    The reason that the wire to the headlight switch comes off the BAT side of the breaker is that the headlight circuit breaker is built into the light switch.
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    That's right, there are two circuit breakers in Step-downs and Jets. The current rating should be marked on the outside of them. From memory the lighting c/b is 24 amp, but I would have to actually see one to confirm this. There is a relay which Hudson used in 41 models,with a diagram that showed it either before or after the dipswitch (sorry dimmer for you lot on the wrong side of the globe!), but I recommend you don't fit it before the switch, as it still puts the full load through the switch contacts. Use a dual relay, or just do the high beam.

    Geoff.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I installed a set of Hella E-code H-4's (with 6v bulbs) in the WASP over the summer. I got the bulbs and connectors/contacts (Hella bulb is common 3-prong, but the pin out is not the same) from www.rallylights.com. They have a ton of headlamp related stuff, 6V, 12V, 24V, E-code lamps, DOT lamps etc. I spoke to them via phone before ordering, they were very helpful. I rewired everything forward of the terminal block on the radiator support, there was some NASTY wiring there! I plan on adding a relay in the circuit over the winter. Good luck......



    Mike
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Okay folks, new BOSCH 6V 20/30A relays are available from Restoration Supply Company, www.RestorationStuff.com , $28.95. If you have a prehistoric Hudson like mine and use a Ba15d "Bayonet Base" headlight bulb, they also have those in 35/35W Quartz Halogen for $22.95. I am running these in my 29, much to the chargrin of my generator. Furthermore, they have prefocus halogen bulbs, and halogens for stop tail and turn signals.



    I know Daniel Stern sells the Cibie E-code stuff, but Resto Supply also carries 7" sealed beam halogen conversions - 6 volt $49.50, 12 volt $34.50.
  • mars55
    mars55 Senior Contributor
    As far circuit breakers go, the parts manual lists three circuit breakers.



    Circuit Breaker-misc lighting 20 amp used on 1948-1954

    Circuit Breaker-dash lighting control 25 amp used on 1948-1954

    Circuit Breaker-misc lighting 40 amp used on 1952-1954
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