1 Candle Power to Proper Lights!

[NeilB]

So I finally got around to proving the reason my headlights are dim is because the voltage drops too much through the thin standard wires.

Here is a quick check on the left light - quite a difference!



A couple of relays, a couple of connectors and 4m of heavier cable and it now looks like this.



Just have to wait for it to go dark now......

 

[Oscar Romeo]

Well done mate, nice one.

 

[matchmetisse]

I would say it was down to poor earthing? My standard cables, correctly terminated and earthed are more than up to the job

 

[NeilB]

Maybe, maybe....does no harm to have thicker cables to the bulbs though.

 

[timc1967]

Remarkable improvement.

 

[lynall]

Iirc all the power for the bulbs goes through the column switch so pretty poor design.

 

[timc1967]

No headlamp relay? Its an easy modification I suppose.

 

[lynall]

No I dont think there is but could be wrong?
But saying that, when i ign off but leave lights on they got to sidelights, but could be through ign switch itself.

 

[NeilB]

Standard all the power goes through the light switch. Eventually the light switch burns out.

I now have two relays - one for main and one for dipped - so very little power goes through the switch but full battery voltage goes to the bulbs. Easy hours job and as I used H4 connectors easy to put back to standard if required.

 

[the_wolf]

Where did you put the relay for the dipped? Looks good that does. Mine are spot on, not the best in the world but not as bad as yours first were. Having a relay certainly can't hurt though I'm not replacing all of the wire

 

[NeilB]

I didn't replace all the wiring.

I took a H4 female connector and connected it to the bulb. Then I plugged a H4 male connector into the original bulb plug. Then using a thick bit of electric string I joined the two connectors to two relays.

The idea is that the standard wiring is used just to activate the relay.

Both relays are on the inner wing on the passenger side.

 

[the_wolf]

Ah. Cheers very much, I might give that a go

 

[NeilB]

Hope this helps then.....

 

[timc1967]

This relay setup seems like an obvious improvement to make. On the to do list now. Thx.

 

[matchmetisse]

Thats the whole point of a relay, you would not have to change the cables, just put a bigger cable from the battery to the relay, and the other cables can be smaller.

 

[Oscar Romeo]

Iam guessing you used standard automotive relays rated at 30 amp, which i work out to be 360W capability you should have no probs if you wanna upgrade/add lighting in the future. I think you've done a great job.

Just one other point for folk that don't know most modern vehicles use thin wall cable that looks very thin and would not be able to take the load, but because the insulation is thin heat can dissipate. Replacing thin wall with standard based on looks alone can cause problems.

 

[NeilB]

I think the relays were 40amp.....so much more wattages

My first time out at night last night and I could actually see my lights on the road ahead!

Much needed and so simple.

 

[Oscar Romeo]

I think the relays were 40amp.....so much more wattages

My first time out at night last night and I could actually see my lights on the road ahead!

Much needed and so simple.

40amps! Good god man! 480watts thats 8 x 55w lights! Thats 4 on the roof two on the bumper and the two heads! Awesome! Ring NASA and see if Hubble can see you.

Probably best to use a maxi fuse lol

BRILLIANT!