Brighter headlights
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: Dunbarton NH
Originally Posted by markdtn
There was a post a year or so ago about changing to aircraft landing lights.
Landing Lights
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
2 30 amp Bosch relays and 2 fuse holders is all you need. Those relays are about $5.00 each. With the relays the dimmer switch and the head light switch should last forever.
It really makes a difference in the brightness with the stock headlights.
It really makes a difference in the brightness with the stock headlights.
What would be the original intended usage for this 30Amp relay? Fuel pump relays or injection system or ?
Brent.....
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,961
Likes: 573
From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
Our problem is lack of proper voltage to the head lights. We are often down around 12 volts or even less by the time the alternator travels to the fuse block through the switch and back out to the lights.
I really noticed a difference with installing relays right by the lights and feeding a dedicated line directly from the alternater
I really noticed a difference with installing relays right by the lights and feeding a dedicated line directly from the alternater
Bee Jay
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
Our problem is lack of proper voltage to the head lights. We are often down around 12 volts or even less by the time the alternator travels to the fuse block through the switch and back out to the lights.
I really noticed a difference with installing relays right by the lights and feeding a dedicated line directly from the alternater
I really noticed a difference with installing relays right by the lights and feeding a dedicated line directly from the alternater
well sort of... Even though what you say is true enough, with the new halogen bulbs available off the shelf, this really makes installing the relay unneccesary. And yes I have done it both ways. Try the new bulbs first, then if you are still not satified than try the relay method.
Remember
Easy solution first !!!!!
tim
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by sweethence
well sort of... Even though what you say is true enough, with the new halogen bulbs available off the shelf, this really makes installing the relay unneccesary. And yes I have done it both ways. Try the new bulbs first, then if you are still not satified than try the relay method.
Remember
Easy solution first !!!!!
tim
Remember
Easy solution first !!!!!
tim
Another plus is the interior of the car was only so much power. By using your method all this power is taken from the fuse block, with the relays it comes directly from the alternator so the interior never sees this large power drop.
If you monitored interior voltage you would see a drop when you turned the lights on and while idleing in traffic you would really see it in the 12 of lower volt range.
By having the external relays and watching the volt meter you barely see it flicker when the lights are turned on. This is not the case using the normal light switch.
I also dread ever having the change that switch.
The bosch relays are only general purpose and all allll switching should be done with relays, fans, pumps, lights, everything. Switches are only used to activate relays.
Look at new cars??? NOthing but relays
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
One of my big things with the relays is the headlight switch no longer carries the load, nor does the dimmer switch.
Another plus is the interior of the car was only so much power. By using your method all this power is taken from the fuse block, with the relays it comes directly from the alternator so the interior never sees this large power drop.
If you monitored interior voltage you would see a drop when you turned the lights on and while idleing in traffic you would really see it in the 12 of lower volt range.
By having the external relays and watching the volt meter you barely see it flicker when the lights are turned on. This is not the case using the normal light switch.
I also dread ever having the change that switch.
The bosch relays are only general purpose and all allll switching should be done with relays, fans, pumps, lights, everything. Switches are only used to activate relays.
Look at new cars??? NOthing but relays
Another plus is the interior of the car was only so much power. By using your method all this power is taken from the fuse block, with the relays it comes directly from the alternator so the interior never sees this large power drop.
If you monitored interior voltage you would see a drop when you turned the lights on and while idleing in traffic you would really see it in the 12 of lower volt range.
By having the external relays and watching the volt meter you barely see it flicker when the lights are turned on. This is not the case using the normal light switch.
I also dread ever having the change that switch.
The bosch relays are only general purpose and all allll switching should be done with relays, fans, pumps, lights, everything. Switches are only used to activate relays.
Look at new cars??? NOthing but relays
Quite right quite right, in fact i watch em brighten when revving the engine
But in my case, i blew a light and replaced it with holgen while driving at night one day. the difference between the old and the new was so huge, i drove right back to autozone and replaced the other three, saw no ned to do the relay upgrade (like i did for my 67 camaro). I agree 100 percent about the relay improving the performance ( higher and steadyier voltage) of the lights as well as reducing load on the wiring in the car, but as far as just seeing better what a difference. as far as the wiring goes, well if you have issues there, it best to just replace the entire harness on a 30plus year old care as a rule of thumb
.02
tim
