1967 headlights syncronized in closing but open 6 seconds apart

[Gene M.]

Re: 1967 headlights syncronized in closing but open 6 seconds apart

I don't really know anything about C2 headlights, but following this thread it seems to me that once a light has fully traveled in either direction and tries to run locked rotor, then the current will rise rapidly and should trip the internal circuit breaker, cutting off all current flow. This is perhaps how GM intended it to work, so breaker interrupt would be the fail safe mode. I can't believe that any good company, certainly not GM, would design something that would try to self destruct every time it was activated. My 2 cents.

Rich, have you (or anyone) bench tested these motor assemblies to see what the current goes to when locked, and how long it takes before breaker interrupt? And how long the breaker stays open before resetting?

-Dan-

Danny,
Surprise they did. Those aluminum gears driven by a steel worm just don't stand a chance. The vent window cranks are just as bad. Don't use them and they last for ever. Merry Christmas

[Frank D.]

Re: 1967 headlights syncronized in closing but open 6 seconds apart

These HL bucket drive units were designed to fail. As Gene says, when the first one hits its stop, it continues pushing until you let off the switch. They could easily have incorporated a simple clutch like on the 65-66 power antennas, to take the load off the motors and gears. I guess that would have made too much sense! I am careful to release the switch as soon as both buckets are open or closed, but six seconds is a long time. That fast one doesn't have long to live.

A clutch or at least individual, real limit switches to cut off current at full travel.
Actually, there is a youtube video where a person converted the headlight dash warning setup (activated by switches at the buckets) to do just that...

[Dan D.]

Re: 1967 headlights syncronized in closing but open 6 seconds apart

Merry Christmas to you too Gene, and Suzzie. And may your buckets last forever.

-Dan-

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 headlights syncronized in closing but open 6 seconds apart

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Rich, have you (or anyone) bench tested these motor assemblies to see what the current goes to when locked, and how long it takes before breaker interrupt? And how long the breaker stays open before resetting?

-Dan-

Dan, I have not put a ammeter in series but that's a good idea to test them. I may try that.

Rich

[Frank D.]

Re: 1967 headlights syncronized in closing but open 6 seconds apart

Been done by a CF member: http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/...r-rebuild.html
Typically 5-6 amps seems normal. Upwards towards 10 amps is possible on worn or improperly operating motors according to this thread.

I think its reasonable to expect the headlight motors to operate within 6 seconds of each other - if they don't something is wrong IMO.
Buckets binding, congealed grease in the motor, motor preload set incorrectly, galled main drive gear or other problem. I have one 63
motor and one 65 motor I recently rebuilt and operation both ways is synchronous within 1 second.

[Phillip M.]

Re: 1967 headlights syncronized in closing but open 6 seconds apart

Remember, these were designed as all-season cars. In 1965 when I purchased my '63 SWC, I remember using the car when it was covered with 1/8" of ice or accumulated frozen slushy snow, etc. Never had a headlight opening or closing issue, just operated the switch and the buckets would bust loose every time! Would be difficult to design a clutch that would operate in such situations.Phil

[Frank D.]

Re: 1967 headlights syncronized in closing but open 6 seconds apart

I'm surprised you got away with that. These motors are pretty weak at their best. You can run 'em on the bench and stop them easily by grabbing the thumbwheel... I'm amazed they work as well as they do.

[Gene M.]

Re: 1967 headlights syncronized in closing but open 6 seconds apart

Here is an aftermarket system that looks to function way better than the original design. It looks like a modern power window motor. The set up appears a bit clunky for a manufactured product. Seems they could have made the gear box couple directly to the head light bucket shaft. I have no idea what the black box is for. Not a good answer to NCRS pV test, but for a street car it has possibilities.

https://www.youtube.com/v/Utn4frtCCDw?autoplay=1&rel=0&enablejsapi=1&playerapiid=ytplayer

Here is the you tube on the headlight motors electrical stop switches that Frank mentioned. I can't believe he was doing all the drilling with the mount in the car!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR3udM5X9bk

[Frank D.]

Re: 1967 headlights syncronized in closing but open 6 seconds apart

Yes - that Detroit Speed system was actually developed by a Corette Forum member. I ran one for a couple of years in the '63 but went back to original motors for judging next month. The kit is around $500 and can be installed on a Saturday morning. It works phenomenally well. The early versions used clutched motors so you could push the buckets around if it was ever needed. The later versions have no clutches and are direct drive - a downgrade IMO. Either version is snappy as the video shows....VERY nicely designed mod to our cars. The kit's motors attach to the headlight keyed actuator shaft just like original motors.

The black box is some rather sophisticated circuitry that is the brains for the setup. The system self-calibrates and keeps thing synchronized if the buckets get out of whack for some reason. The system also operates everything through the dash headlight pull switch; the separate headlight motor switch is no longer used with the kit.