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Replacement Headlight Switch

Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2021 1:34 pm
by funkyscooter
Took the plunge and ordered a new headlight switch off ebay from the States. Mine had a broken dimmer wire. Looked at the one on offer from Rares for $150 + and decided to take a chance at a 'cheaper' option. Still ended up just south of $100 inc postage. Spent at least $50 in my time researching, so lets call it even.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1947-1955-C ... 2749.l2649
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Knob fits, dimmer resistance is 0 - 5 ohms. Original was 0-6 ohms. Not sure if the bi-metal safety cutout is different as the unit is sold as 6V. Most likely run relays to the headlights fuse separately. Might test at a later stage.

Only things I needed off the old switch were the knob, the nut to screw the switch to the dash, and the rubber boot that sits between the nut and the ceramic resistor which I guess is some sort of isolator?

Comes with all the screws etc. Pretty happy.

Re: Replacement Headlight Switch

Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2021 11:25 pm
by Blacky
Nice work - maybe we could get a list of who would be interested in one and do a bulk order ? I would be up for two ......

Re: Replacement Headlight Switch

Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2021 11:47 pm
by Errol62
Was thinking of buying a Rares one but $140 odd. I’d be in for two as well.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

Re: Replacement Headlight Switch

Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2021 11:59 pm
by Brett027
I'll take one tooooo

Re: Replacement Headlight Switch

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 8:02 am
by funkyscooter
Should have asked the question when I ordered - didn't want to get a bunch and find they where a dud.

Does make me wonder what else on the car would have been shared with GM cars. Always amazes me what you can get in the States. I saw the nut to retain the switch on a different site. Did not see a matching knob/shaft.

I don't have an original wiper switch either. Not sure what I should have been looking for, but as I don't have the original washer bottle, my thinking now is to use the existing headlight switch, and rig the dimmer as an on/off for an after market washer. For that I will need a new knob/shaft and retaining nut

Re: Replacement Headlight Switch

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 9:04 am
by Errol62
Use a wiper switch from later model like HR. They have a cental push pin to power squirter. You adapt the centre button on original knob to friction fit on the pin.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk


Re: Replacement Headlight Switch

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 9:52 am
by funkyscooter
Thanks Clay - I'll start looking for a knob to adapt. And just thinking about it, not sure that there would be room for a headlight sized switch where the washer switch goes.

Re: Replacement Headlight Switch

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 11:02 am
by Blacky
Or you can buy a Cole Hersee switch , check out my wiper conversion post for the part number , it also has the push to squirt function.

Re: Replacement Headlight Switch

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 11:33 am
by Harv
Blacky wrote: Mon Feb 08, 2021 11:02 amOr you can buy a Cole Hersee switch , check out my wiper conversion post for the part number , it also has the push to squirt function.
G'day Blacky,

Did you manage to find a local supplier for the Cole Hersee switch? I bought a pair of them last year, but had to bring them in from the US.

Cheers,
Harv

Re: Replacement Headlight Switch

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 12:22 pm
by Blacky
Harv wrote: Mon Feb 08, 2021 11:33 am
Blacky wrote: Mon Feb 08, 2021 11:02 amOr you can buy a Cole Hersee switch , check out my wiper conversion post for the part number , it also has the push to squirt function.
G'day Blacky,

Did you manage to find a local supplier for the Cole Hersee switch? I bought a pair of them last year, but had to bring them in from the US.

Cheers,
Harv
Think I got mine from Ashdown Ingram in Perth ??

Re: Replacement Headlight Switch

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 12:38 pm
by EK283
G'day Blacky,

Did you manage to find a local supplier for the Cole Hersee switch? I bought a pair of them last year, but had to bring them in from the US.

Cheers,
Harv
[/quote]

I also bought 2 last year and I got them from a place in Smithfield, I will look at the receipt and find out what the companies name is.

Greg

Re: Replacement Headlight Switch

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2021 9:54 am
by Blacky
OK - I sent the bloke in the US a message regarding these, he has 10 in stock and will do us a deal on the postage , so who is in ?
Last time I put my hand up to organise something like this was for the little terminal strips headlight wiring terminated into on the inner guard, back when they weren't available in Oz and I ended up with 2 extra sets when people bailed out so please only say yes if you are dinkum.

Re: Replacement Headlight Switch

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2021 10:26 am
by EK283
Blacky,

I'm in for one.

Just be careful with the import duty as anything over $1000 dollars attracts a higher fee, and from memory including postage.

Greg

Re: Replacement Headlight Switch

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2021 10:29 am
by Errol62
I am in for one or two but don't want to be greedy if supply is limited.

Re: Replacement Headlight Switch

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2021 11:28 am
by Blacky
EK283 wrote: Tue Feb 09, 2021 10:26 am Blacky,

I'm in for one.

Just be careful with the import duty as anything over $1000 dollars attracts a higher fee, and from memory including postage.

Greg
Its all taxed these days , thanks to that greedy arsehole Gerry Harvey .......... :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: