"Sealed beam" headlamps

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   A headlamp on the '60 American went out last week, no big deal. They came with the car and it hadn't been driven is 10, 15 years before I got it. They were General Electric brand and I don't think they've made an auto lamp in many decades.

So I go to O'Reilly's to replace, all they carry is scut brand Sylvania, I think the sole maker of filamentary lamps left in the US. 

Sylvania has cheap replacements and something up-marketed as "better". Since I don't drive much at night, the car is slow, and I've never had a need for more light, I of course bought the cheap ones. Lol, there's text on the box that almost says outright 'you are a cheap fool to not buy our more expensive lamps'. And 'I bet you drive a Rambler'. OK it didn't say that last part but that's what they meant. There's even a little cartoon labeled LIGHT COLOR: and it shows a yellow colored triangle! lol. I resisted the ridicule. 

Aha! Turns out even Sylvania doesn't make sealed beams any more! If you look inside you'll see it's actually a halogen bulb glued into the reflector! The color is BRIGHT WHITE, not the obvious yellow of old fashioned sealed beams. And the pattern is great.

14 bucks each. 

Probably burn out soon because Sylvania.

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tomj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/27/2010 Location: earth Status: Offline Points: 7544	Post Options Post Reply Quote tomj Report Post Thanks(2) Quote Reply Topic: "Sealed beam" headlamps Posted: Mar/16/2023 at 11:33am
	A headlamp on the '60 American went out last week, no big deal. They came with the car and it hadn't been driven is 10, 15 years before I got it. They were General Electric brand and I don't think they've made an auto lamp in many decades. So I go to O'Reilly's to replace, all they carry is scut brand Sylvania, I think the sole maker of filamentary lamps left in the US. Sylvania has cheap replacements and something up-marketed as "better". Since I don't drive much at night, the car is slow, and I've never had a need for more light, I of course bought the cheap ones. Lol, there's text on the box that almost says outright 'you are a cheap fool to not buy our more expensive lamps'. And 'I bet you drive a Rambler'. OK it didn't say that last part but that's what they meant. There's even a little cartoon labeled LIGHT COLOR: and it shows a yellow colored triangle! lol. I resisted the ridicule. Aha! Turns out even Sylvania doesn't make sealed beams any more! If you look inside you'll see it's actually a halogen bulb glued into the reflector! The color is BRIGHT WHITE, not the obvious yellow of old fashioned sealed beams. And the pattern is great. 14 bucks each. Probably burn out soon because Sylvania.
	1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto 1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5 http://www.ramblerLore.com

Heavy 488 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Apr/27/2019 Location: In the Status: Offline Points: 3553	Post Options Post Reply Quote Heavy 488 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/16/2023 at 12:08pm
	It is a sealed beam. Non serviceable be it halogen or incandescent..

worm611 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Oct/12/2022 Location: Denver, PA Status: Offline Points: 81	Post Options Post Reply Quote worm611 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/16/2023 at 1:09pm
	Wagner still makes sealed beams if you are looking for something original looking.

tomj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/27/2010 Location: earth Status: Offline Points: 7544	Post Options Post Reply Quote tomj Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/16/2023 at 1:26pm
	Yes, it is sealed and unrepairable. But the old style were a a pair of filaments in a big evacuated housing. This one is a small H4 type bulb glued into the glass. The end result is the same, but the method of construction novel, and the light is great. I didn't know Wagner still made them. This is a daily driver so the better light is worth it. I'll see how long they last...
	1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto 1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5 http://www.ramblerLore.com

Heavy 488 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Apr/27/2019 Location: In the Status: Offline Points: 3553	Post Options Post Reply Quote Heavy 488 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/16/2023 at 1:47pm
	The halogen replacements have been out since at least the later 70'. Besides better light, they keep on going even with a cracked housing

nickleone Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Oct/04/2008 Location: westminster co Status: Offline Points: 1445	Post Options Post Reply Quote nickleone Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/16/2023 at 6:49pm
	Rock Auto has headlight bulbs for my 62 Classic , halogen bulbs, $7+ and $8+ each
	nick 401 71 Gremlin pro rally car sold 390 V8 SX/4 pro rally car sold 1962 Classic SW T5 4 wheel disc brakes

Trader Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: May/15/2018 Location: Ontario Status: Offline Points: 6884	Post Options Post Reply Quote Trader Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/16/2023 at 7:47pm
	The only problem with the halogen replacements is the heat they produce. You car headlight socket/wires besides being old plastic and more fragile is they never made for the heat a halogen bulb produces. Back in the day they used to sell short pigtails that could handle the heat as part of bulb conversion. May or may not be a problem, but something to keep an eye on.

Heavy 488 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Apr/27/2019 Location: In the Status: Offline Points: 3553	Post Options Post Reply Quote Heavy 488 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/16/2023 at 8:31pm
	The lamps are in open air. Heat shouldn't be a problem unless it's created by a socket connection issue and not the halogen cycle. Ive been using H4 E code lamps since the 90's and no concerns that the sky will fall. How many of these old cars even produce 12 volts at a socket under load.

Trader Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: May/15/2018 Location: Ontario Status: Offline Points: 6884	Post Options Post Reply Quote Trader Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/17/2023 at 8:05am
	I=E/R - OHM's Law. Your point Heavy is well taken, but hitting the point wrong way in this instance. The lamp resistance R is fixed by design. If voltage "E" for the vehicle remains constant then the current "I" remains constant. If the voltage is lower, like you have stated, then the amperage goes up and the heat generated is higher also in anything that will not conduct the extra current. How many vehicles classic have you seen with the headlight connector partially or even fully melted? If the number is less then a dozen, I'd be very surprised. Alternator failure and driving at night with headlights on, the voltage drops enough running off the battery, the headlight connector will typically melt with conventional bulbs.

mstrcrftr Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jul/12/2010 Location: houston Status: Offline Points: 2066	Post Options Post Reply Quote mstrcrftr Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/17/2023 at 8:36am
	the halogen headlamp for the amc is only 35-40 watts. the wiring for the headlamps is 16GA. 16ga can handle 10 amps.