Re: [MV] WWII? French Headlights.

Geoff Winnington-Ball (whiskey@netwave.ca)
Sat, 03 Jul 1999 19:39:20 -0400

Richard, you know too much for your own good, you realize that? :-)

G

Richard Notton wrote:

> I've been round this before off list with others but it might help to explain
> the arrangements in Europe.
>
> Unlike the States we last used a sealed beam headlight in the early 70's, since
> then everything has separate, replaceable bulbs. Running in parallel some
> immediate post and pre-war vehicles used the British pre-focus bulb.
>
> The E2 is a mandatory marking to show type approval in the EEC and is to be
> found on all modern bulbs and lenses front and rear.
>
> The three prongs on the back will take a standard US type connector using the
> same pins for ground high beam and dip (dim). The French have long since given
> up on yellow lights, theoretically for anti-dazzle but removing a large portion
> of the visible spectrum is the same as a white light of lower power.
>
> The base configurations readily available are:
>
> British Pre-Focus (BPF) - plain tungsten bulb with twin solder blob connections
> and a large rim with a small half circle cut-out to align it in the light unit,
> retained by a three prong bayonet cap assembly carrying the sprung contacts.
> Largely obsolete by the 70's.
>
> P43t Halogen H4 - the current twin filament bulb with a disc base with three
> large locating ears, legally 60/55W but readily available (marked for off-road
> use only) in 100/80, 130/90 and 180/100W. For 24V 75/70W. Three .25" blade
> connections US compatible. Spring wire retainer in lens assembly.
>
> H1 halogen - single filament for multiple light set-ups and auxiliary lights,
> small disc base with a chord removed for alignment, single .25" connection,
> available from 55W (Europe legal) to 180W. Spring wire retainer in lens
> assembly.
>
> P45t asymetric - Was very popular on the continent and is, I believe what your
> Hotchkiss has. !2v versions in halogen and tungsten but the latter are always
> 45/40W. Has a large glass bulb and stepped disc base that inserts only 1/8" or
> so into the light unit and is aligned by very small pressings in the base or a
> pair of small punched tags. Three .25" blade terminals that are NOT aligned
> with the bulb fitted axis but always lean a bit to one side. To be found as
> 100/100 and 75/70 in many 60's & 70's UK mil vehicles using FV426612 immersible
> headlight units, eg., Stalwart, Ferret, 432, 433, 434, Saracen, Saladin,
> Scorpion, Fox, Centurion, Chieftain etc.
>
> Readily available here in 6V but you need a "continental" to get them as the
> Brit ones will dip (dim) to the wrong side ! This might be difficult as France
> has, I believe, adopted a system of "dealer only" for all spares, there are no
> aftermarket parts or pattern supplies as we have here.

Regards,

Geoff Winnington-Ball
MAPLE LEAF UP! ==>
Zephyr, Ontario, Canada
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Maple Leaf Up - The Canadian Army Overseas in WW2
http://jump.to/mapleleafup
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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