Weak headlights and taillights

[Got Bug ?]

My 63 Beetle has weak headlights. It's still the original 6v generator system. The generator checked out okay but I think the regulator is not working right. I've cleaned connections and charged the battery but still very yellow beams. Battery voltage across terminals is 6v, at headlight about 5v.
Can someone recommend a person/place I can take it to have it checked and repaired?
Thanks,
Nick

[Bignick]

Rick on 58 at R & M or other Rick next to the old McKay's

Sounds like the wiring might have developed internal corrosion that is more taxing on a lower voltage system. From what I've read, most people either rewire or upgrade to 12v. Some folks will say "fix it right" to the 12v upgrade, arguing its a band aid to the old wiring. I have no experience 6v system, but I think Rusty and Donna will tell you its not always that helpful to have....

[Ret.Bugtech]

Along with bad conn. and bad Grounds to look at and the car seems to start OK, look at the Headlight switch. We use to have a lot of these go bad . One way you can determine this is to ride around with the headlights on for a while then lay your hands on the switch under the hood and see if it is really hot or burns the snot out of your hand. F.Y.I. Most elect. problems on these cars are poor ground conn.

[Got Bug ?]

Thanks for the info. My bug is pretty original and I'll probably struggle on with this old 6 volt system a little longer just because I want to keep it original. I know 12 volt would be better lights, but I'm hard-headed and still have some sandpaper left to polish my connectors with. I'll try the light switch and see if it gets hot.
Nick

[certdubtech]

I drove a bug for some time, a 64, with a 6 volt system... never had a problem with it, really.  Untill you use the headlights, the radio, the wipers, and then flip the turn signal on... all at the same time.  it's kinda funny actually.   

[travisyoung]

I was told an 8 volt battery will brighten everthing up, never tried this.

[Ret.Bugtech]

At the dealership we use to put 8V batt. in the early 6V Type-3 twin carb.  They wouldn't spin over fast enough to start due to load of 2 elect. chokes and 2 elect. fuel shut-off valves on the carbs. You could put a load test on the coil and it was getting only about 2 to 3 volts when trying to start . Another way came along with the advent of the
Nieholf(?)AL-162 relay which cut the elect. power to the chokes and fuel shut off valves allowing the coil to get about 4-5 volts long enough to start the car. This will work on 6 V slow starting Bugs also. We did a bunch of them.

[Got Bug ?]

Update...I pulled the battery out, unbolted the ground strap and cleaned it very well. Cleaned the bolt and the spot where the strap attached to the frame too. My lights are still weak at idle, but when I rev the engine up they get brighter and look to be decent candlepower. I didn't mention earlier, but before this the lights would not brighten much at all when the engine speed increased. I am guessing that my charging system was unable to work effectively because of the corroded ground strap.
I'm charging the battery and hope that helps the weak lights at idle. If not, I may try a new battery. I don't know how old my current battery is. It reads 6 volts across the terminals though some resources state it should read about 7 volts at high idle with the charging system working well.
Thanks for your help and suggestions with this.
Nick

[Ret.Bugtech]

7 volts is about right. Could be your reg is dropping the ball a bit.  Of course in the trade the running joke about the old 6V system was that you had to strike a match to see if your H/L's were on and rev the engine up to get your turn signals and horn to work . The horn would sound like a bowel movement gone wrong.

[Volksvolgen]

Voltage drop through the wiring is also a signifciant issue with 6V systems.  I am struggling with the lights on my 6V '47 Pontiac.  This winter I plan to rewire the headlights with #10 AWG wire, in hopes of reducing the voltage drop.  As mentioned before, and as you found out yourself, clean contacts and good grounds are critical on 6 volt systems.