What Lightbulb for a 1941 Waterwitch?

[Buccaneer]

After I went through the magneto on the 5-3/4 hp Waterwitch,
I spun the engine over (plugs out) with a drill to check spark,
and voltage on the lighting coil.
The lighting coil was putting out a little over 6 volts AC at
drill speed. Not sure what it would be with the motor running
balls out.
I finished making up a plug today to plug into the lighting
receptacle on the motor, but haven’t a clue what to do
yet to make up a spotlight.
I thought a good plan would be to figure out what bulb
to use, and work around that. Only trouble, I’m clueless
as to what AC bulb voltage, wattage, or socket style that
would work out.
Any ideas?

Prepare to be boarded!

[bkrsdoz]

Well, I am working on the same project. I thought of using either a vintage accessory B-31 backup light, or an old bicycle headlight. Both are 6v, and take small 6v bulbs. I have a couple of B-31’s on my Cushman scooter front fender.

• This reply was modified 4 years ago by Mumbles.

[Buccaneer]

bkrsdoz wrote:

Well, I am working on the same project. I thought of using either a vintage accessory B-31 backup light, or an old bicycle headlight. Both are 6v, and take small 6v bulbs. I have a couple of B-31’s on my Cushman scooter front fender.

• This reply was modified 4 years ago by Mumbles.

Great ideas! Are you making up a light for an outboard?
I’m guessing a lightbulb doesn’t care if it’s getting
AC or DC power, as long as the voltage is correct.
Am I guessing wrong?

Prepare to be boarded!

[bkrsdoz]

Yes, I have two Waterwitch motors a single and a twin, with the female plug. I have to come up with the male part, and put a couple of lights together. The lights don’t care if they are AC or DC. I think the amperage draw will be the determining factor on which bulb to use. The bicycle lights used a small 3 watt screw in bulb. The B-31’s use an automotive bayonet base which draws more wattage. I’m not sure how much. What did you use for the plug you designed?

[Buccaneer]

Baker’s Dozen, Waterwitch called their light a “spotlight”
that throws a 400 foot beam, so I have to think that
would take a bulb of considerable wattage. Guess
I’m not that concerned about how bright, as if
I run the motor in the dark, it will probably be in the
test barrel, and not out in the middle of the lake, lol.

I made up a male plug using Derlin plastic rod,
brass pins, and an aluminum nut.
I’ll take some photos of the finished plug this afternoon.

I didn’t know that any single cylinder Waterwitch’s had
the lighting option. What model / year is it?
Thanks.

Prepare to be boarded!

[bkrsdoz]

Well, if you look at the ad that you posted, there’s your answer! I have one of each!

[crosbyman]

well depending how or if you want to keep it all vintage …these AMAZON LED lights ( 2 for 23$ CDN) don’t consume much amps and put out lots of light.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01IEEAFD0/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&pd_rd_w=jh7lL&pf_rd_p=a2b32c5b-02b0-4273-a3c7-c6bfabb067a2&pd_rd_wg=OmEma&pf_rd_r=H2S5V45GK5YE19F7PBQ1&pd_rd_r=0b338f1c-0797-4eca-af53-1a2a2e612bac&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzRzNGMUZDRE4zS1VJJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjc5ODYxMTRNT1lXTEMyR0xKUiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTkzMDM1M0I1M0lBSTJKV0xLRSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

I installed one on my honda snow blower to replace my regular filament bulb and boy does it crank out the lumens. ! one was enough on the snow blower for my yard work

I do not know if my snowblower puts out AC or DC but it works… if

if you must have DC you can always hook in a small 4 diode full wave rectifier for $3.

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

• This reply was modified 4 years ago by crosbyman.

[Buccaneer]

bkrsdoz wrote:

Well, if you look at the ad that you posted, there’s your answer! I have one of each!

For some reason I thought they were both twin cylinders in the ad,
but now that I look again, guess not!

Prepare to be boarded!

[Buccaneer]

crosbyman wrote:

well depending how or if you want to keep it all vintage …these AMAZON LED lights ( 2 for 23$ CDN) don’t consume much amps and put out lots of light.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01IEEAFD0/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&pd_rd_w=jh7lL&pf_rd_p=a2b32c5b-02b0-4273-a3c7-c6bfabb067a2&pd_rd_wg=OmEma&pf_rd_r=H2S5V45GK5YE19F7PBQ1&pd_rd_r=0b338f1c-0797-4eca-af53-1a2a2e612bac&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzRzNGMUZDRE4zS1VJJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjc5ODYxMTRNT1lXTEMyR0xKUiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTkzMDM1M0I1M0lBSTJKV0xLRSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

I installed one on my honda snow blower to replace my regular filament bulb and boy does it crank out the lumens. ! one was enough on the snow blower for my yard work

I do not know if my snowblower puts out AC or DC but it works… if

if you must have DC you can always hook in a small 4 diode full wave rectifier for $3.

• This reply was modified 4 years ago by crosbyman.

I’ll keep those LED lights in mind for other projects perhaps, but
I’d rather have something for the Waterwitch that looks a little
more period correct.

Prepare to be boarded!

[Buccaneer]

Here’s the male plug I made up with a short cord to hook up a future light.
It took me all day to make it, but what else is there to do when it’s
31 below in the morning, and -6 for the high.

Prepare to be boarded!

[Author]

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