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Old 11-11-2012, 06:52 AM   #1
Wagster
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Georgia
Posts: 14
Default Connecting a headlamp to my 79 Model D

Howdy y'all.

I only use my cart to putter around my property. Some night time puttering is not uncommon. I've been telling myself I really need to hook up some lights so I can see what I'm running into when it's dark.

And I know I SHOULD connect the light(s) in the usual manner with switches and relays and so forth. However...

The other day I was having a childhood flashback and recalled these "generator-type" lights we use to mount on our bikes. Some of you may remember them as well. They mounted on the front forks and the tire turned a small knurled gear attached to the light and this generated the juice to illuminate the lamp. No batteries needed.

Then this light bulb went off in my head. Why not hook a lamp to the generator on the golf cart? When I start moving, the light would come on! (and I would have yet another way to cling to my childhood through this very bazaar relationship). When I stop, so does the lamp. No fussing with those complicated on/off switches.

So, I'm wondering if this is really feasible. I realize that even if it is, there are drawbacks to this method (dim lights when going slow, NO light when sitting still, etc) but I just wanted to be sure that it wouldn't cause harm to the generator. I can't imagine why it should but I'm not really known for my ability to prevent unnecessary repair/replacement of perfectly functioning equipment. I'm hoping that some of you more knowledgeable members can shed some light on this subject.

Thank you for your patience. I will try to keep my razor-sharp wit and humor under control in the future!

So, good idea or recipe for disaster? What say you?
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Old 11-11-2012, 07:21 AM   #2
1moretoy
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Default Re: Connecting a headlamp to my 79 Model D

Welcome aboard Wagster from another Georgian. I can't say that electrical questions are my expertise but I'm sure someone will come along and answer it for you soon.
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Old 11-11-2012, 07:29 AM   #3
Train Wreck
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Default Re: Connecting a headlamp to my 79 Model D

Hello everyone, My question is how do I go about hooking up lights to the battery and do it properly. Is there any specific way to properly do it and not damage anything? Thanks for any input.
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Old 11-11-2012, 07:32 AM   #4
1moretoy
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Default Re: Connecting a headlamp to my 79 Model D

Quote:
Originally Posted by Train Wreck View Post
Hello everyone, My question is how do I go about hooking up lights to the battery and do it properly. Is there any specific way to properly do it and not damage anything? Thanks for any input.
Train Wreck...you probably need to start a different post. You can add comments to the original post but to totally ask another question using the original posters thread is usually frowned upon here
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Old 11-11-2012, 07:46 AM   #5
racin161
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Default Re: Connecting a headlamp to my 79 Model D

Welcome Wagster I can see no problem with using your bike generator as it would be a totally different circuit with its own wiring and only supplying 1 or 2 flash light bulbs.Now I've never tried it as a kid but you may see if it has enough power to supply enough power for a regular 12v head lamp.Just don't connect it to any of the cart wiring.

LOU
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Old 11-11-2012, 02:37 PM   #6
Wagster
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Default Re: Connecting a headlamp to my 79 Model D

Quote:
Originally Posted by racin161 View Post
Welcome Wagster I can see no problem with using your bike generator as it would be a totally different circuit with its own wiring and only supplying 1 or 2 flash light bulbs.Now I've never tried it as a kid but you may see if it has enough power to supply enough power for a regular 12v head lamp.Just don't connect it to any of the cart wiring.

LOU
LOL. And I thought I had a sharp wit!

Just to be very clear, I didn't really want to hook a bike "generator light" to my golf cart, although that is an option I should probably explore further. What I had in mind was connecting the lights to the existing starter generator already installed in the engine bay. I presumed this unit (among other duties) provided the voltage needed to keep the battery charged and so provided a constant 12v source during operation that I might tap into.

Me thinks you may have answered my question just the same when you advised "Just don't connect it to any of the cart wiring".

I would do well to conform to conventional ways of thinking, if I only could...
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Old 11-11-2012, 02:50 PM   #7
Wagster
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Default Re: Connecting a headlamp to my 79 Model D

Quote:
Originally Posted by Train Wreck View Post
Hello everyone, My question is how do I go about hooking up lights to the battery and do it properly. Is there any specific way to properly do it and not damage anything? Thanks for any input.
This thread probably would have answered your question had I not been looking implement this crazy plan of mine. I haven't looked into "normal" lights but it's possible that you can buy a light kit with all the necessary hardware and instructions that a devoted spouse would be willing to translate into easy to understand commands. It's not as complicated a process as I'm trying to make it out to be...
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Old 11-13-2012, 01:04 AM   #8
tew45
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Default Re: Connecting a headlamp to my 79 Model D

The generator works a lot different than your bike set up and it is not or will not work the same. The best way to hook up your lights is to run them directly to the battery with a switch and another circuit breaker or try it after the breaker on the cart. I run mine that way and it works great as lone as the battery is in good condition.
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Old 11-13-2012, 01:35 AM   #9
Wagster
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Default Re: Connecting a headlamp to my 79 Model D

Thanks Tew. That is what I will do. My buggy is running nicely and I really don't want to screw it up. Kinda like my ex... not much to look at but sure gets around!
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Old 11-25-2012, 01:43 PM   #10
fiddlstiks
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Default Re: Connecting a headlamp to my 79 Model D

Wireing a headlite(s) is simple. Start at thebattery, install a fuse link. Run a wire to a single pole toggle switch(either terminal). Run a wire from the other term. to the lite(s) Some lites have 1 wire for the "hot" (live) wire and ground to the case. Hook switch wire to that wire. Ground the lite's metal case to the frame, making sure there is no rust or paint to insulate the ground. For 1 or 2 50 watt lites use a 10 amp fuse. +bat-----------------Fuse------sw-----lite----------ground. All the parts can be bought at your local auto parts store. Hope this helps.
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