Light Bulb Voltage for Electric cars

[Guest EMF-Owner]

Does anyone know what voltage the light bulbs are run at in the early electric cars. I was looking at the schematic for my 1912 Rauch & Lang and it looks like the bulbs are running at the full voltage of the battery pack. I do not see any resistors bringing the voltage down to, say, a 6 or 12v DC level.

If they are run at the full voltage of the pack (80V-90V DC in my case), what kind of bulbs are used? Can these bulbs be found?

Thanks for the help.

John

[pughs]

John,

On my Milburn they run at 42 volts. There are two sets of batteries wired in series to 42 volts, one in the front and one in the back. The voltages of the two sets are combined by the controller with or without a resistor, either in series or in parallel to achieve the multiple forward speeds. The lights run off of one of the sets of batteries. This is how it was explained to me as I can't read a wiring diagram. I will try to find more information and a source and post it if successful.

Steve

[pughs]

John,

According to the Milburn owners manual, The head and inside lights are 40 volt 15 watt G-10 Mazda bulbs. The tail light is 40 volt 4 candle power Carbon bulbs. All bulbs on the Milburn have the "Ediswan" base. The Rauch & Lang may be similar. I hope this helps.

Steve

[Guest EMF-Owner]

Interesting. I am not sure what the base of the bulbs should be in my lights since the sockets are missing from them. the lights I have do not have the sockets in them any longer, so I figure I will rig something up using a bulb that will work.

Do the lights work in your car? Where would you get replacememnt bulbs? any ideas?

Thanks for the reply!

John

[pughs]

John,

I am embarrassed to say that none of the electrical stuff is working right now. I am still trying to figure out the wiring but have been side tracked lately because of doing a ring and valve job on my Stutz. I will try to make some time in the next couple of days to remove the bulb from one of the headlights and see if I can read anything on the bulb itself. I will also take a photo of the bulb and socket and post it here. I have no idea where to get replacement bulbs but maybe someone reading the thread will know.

Steve