Stuart headlamps

[Mrs Vampire]

Hi I am looking for the lamp assembly for a Stuart that has dual high low beam lights.

I don't need the whole thing just the actual light assy .

Any one know where I can find one . The ones on the Stuart I have are single bulb single element .

[Lynn Eades]

Hi. Are you after the sealed beam (glass), or the shell (steel) The steel shell looks like a standard quartermaster corp unit, as fitted to a WWII jeep or Dodge.

[Mrs Vampire]

Thanks Lynn I am after the sealed beam only .

So a jeep one from Kaiser Willy would do the Job ???

It somehow looks smaller than a keep but then i dont know much about Jeeps .

[Lynn Eades]

IF the shell is the same as the war time Jeep and Dodge (3/4 ton trucks) then a modern one can be easily made to fit. You can buy (5 1/2") semi sealed lights that take halogen bulbs, which you can buy in 6volt 12 volt or 24 volt. You may have to notch the edge of the shells where the new semi sealed beam assy. fits in. The sealed beams fit more easily as the plug on the back (of the bulb) takes up less room.

[Mrs Vampire]

perfect. Thanks for such good information. I will get right on to it this week and post a pic with both lights going hi and lo .

[Mrs Vampire]

I have a Stuart with original wiring and it has Hi Low beam . The circuit diagram also indicated Hi Lo beam.

I would attach the circuit but it would be too small to be of any use. happy to post either the original or my re CAD of the circuit.

from the manual

"screw stop, loosen the set screw that-locks the plunger to the rod.
125. Headlamps.-a. Description.-Eachfront fender of the vehicle mounts a service headlamp and blackout headlamp mounted on a bracket. The light switch on the instrument panel operates these lamps. The service headlamp uses a double contact bayonet base, 12-volt, 2-filament, 32-cp lamp. The blackout headlamp uses a single contact, 12-volt, bayonet-base, 3-cp lamp. Use the following procedures in replacing defective lamps or headlamps.
b. Replacernent.-(1) Lamps.-(a) Open battery switch.
(b)
Remove screw attaching lens frame to body of headlamps. Remove frame with lens.
(c)
Remove lamp.
(d)
Reverse the above procedure to install a new lamp.
(2)
Headlamps.-Due to the method used in mounting the head-lamps, if one headlamp is damaged, both headlamps mounted on that bracket are replaced.
(a)
Open battery switch. (
b)
Disconnect conduit coupling from bulkhead connector in armor plate and pull out three pronged plugs.
(c)
Remove three bolts and nuts attaching headlamp mounting bracket to fender. Remove headlamps with bracket and conduit.
(d)
Reverse the above procedure to install new headlamp assembly. Focus the' service headlamps.
c.
Service headlamp focusing.-After a suitable headlamp testing target has been set up, the correct light silhouette may be obtained by turning the focusing screw on the back of the headlamp. The correct position of the lamp may be obtained by adjusting the pivot and trunnion beneath the headlamp.
126. Taillamps.-a. Description.-Ataillamp is mounted.

[Mrs Vampire]

I also have another mystery. There are two press buttons above the amp meter on the side Instrument panel. The wire to them is broken on My original Stuart , I have only seen them on the Two I work on.

The holes are original as they have factory pressed labels below each high and med.

any clues?? The switches have BF stamped into the panel beside them and med below the one on the left and Dim below the one on the right .

[Mrs Vampire]

The top Picture is from My M3A1 as original

the second is from My friends when I was cleaning it back for repainting.
amazingly the screw hole on the right are both double holes like a mistake has been made and both indicate a self tapping screw was used in them .

It looks like some kind of guard was once in front of the push buttons.

Dont you wish when people took pictures of tanks they would sometimes take good shots of the insides.