Headlight brightness
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,958
Likes: 1
I am not very good with the online stuff as far as parts. So far, I am not finding a fuse panel locally in stock. I guess I may end up ordering one again.
The lights, relays, and wiring are easy enough to get. I have long list laying here of things I want/need to find. This week is salvage yards and parts stores.
Going to be fun sneaking off campus between classes. Now if the weather will just cooperate a little. Its only supposed to get into the 40s all week.
The lights, relays, and wiring are easy enough to get. I have long list laying here of things I want/need to find. This week is salvage yards and parts stores.
Going to be fun sneaking off campus between classes. Now if the weather will just cooperate a little. Its only supposed to get into the 40s all week.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,958
Likes: 1
I just picked up some halogen sealed beams and two relays. They will have some pig tails for me in the morning (were out, but less than $2 each). I hate to hack up the brand new wiring thats in the truck. LOL
I will try to get the wire and connectors tomorrow I need.
I will try to get the wire and connectors tomorrow I need.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
No reason to change the wiring if it's new, just splice in the relay and run a power lead from the relay to a power source The halogen SB uses the same connector as the std SBs. You may want to try them without the relays to see if they provide enough light, they don't draw enough to affect the switch. While they are on, run a temp 10 ga jumper from the battery to the hot terminal of one of the bulbs (making sure it's the same as the beam that's on). If it gets brighter then put in the relay, if it stays the same brightness the relay won't help.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,958
Likes: 1
Ok....finally! I now have sealed beam halogens in my 56.
The snow slowed things down, then the parts store gave me the wrong ones.
Anyway, its not dark yet, but they seem to be a lot brighter (even in daylight). Thanks everyone.
The snow slowed things down, then the parts store gave me the wrong ones.
Anyway, its not dark yet, but they seem to be a lot brighter (even in daylight). Thanks everyone.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Altus, OK
I haven't read all of this post, but, I have seen headlight harness kits for about $30 that include relays and wiring for such a problem. I believe it was in JC Whitney.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Originally Posted by Low55
I haven't read all of this post, but, I have seen headlight harness kits for about $30 that include relays and wiring for such a problem. I believe it was in JC Whitney.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
JCW is ok, they aren't known for carrying the highest quality or the best prices tho or having a knowlegable staff if you run into problems. There are a lot of good wiring harness suppliers that stand behind their products and can provide support if/when you run into problems or need additional accessories such as switches etc. I'd suggest you check out some of the companies that others here have had good luck with such as EZ Wire (the company I used, and for 139.00 for an entire 21 circuit harness was a real bargain) Its a Snap, Painless, Ron Francis, etc. If you do a search on here for any topic such as wiring or wiring harness or whatever, you'll get a wealth of first hand experiences and advice.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,337
Likes: 165
From: Harpswell Maine
10si?
Originally Posted by fatfords
Hey AX,
If you read the MAD article, he hooks the power source for the headlights to the "horn relay bus", which is where the internal regulator "sensing wire" for the 10SI alternator is also hooked. This provides the feedback for the internal regulator and is the ideal place to hook the large current drawing items. The benefit is you are hooked directly to the alternator (you get over 14 volts at the alternator output as opposed to 12 at the battery) and the load is "sensed" and fed back to the alternator to cause it to produce more amperage.
I've used this set-up a couple of times and it makes a noticeable difference with the old sealed beams. An upgrade to halogens is another step forward. I've got a set of 7" glass housings with H4 bulbs sitting in the cabinet waiting to be installed on my '56. It's a direct "plug-n-play" if the wiring is in good condition.
I don't think a generator system has an equivalent "sensing circuit." I think they can be adjusted to put out more voltage, but the lifespan or the regulator is shortened.
Good Luck!
If you read the MAD article, he hooks the power source for the headlights to the "horn relay bus", which is where the internal regulator "sensing wire" for the 10SI alternator is also hooked. This provides the feedback for the internal regulator and is the ideal place to hook the large current drawing items. The benefit is you are hooked directly to the alternator (you get over 14 volts at the alternator output as opposed to 12 at the battery) and the load is "sensed" and fed back to the alternator to cause it to produce more amperage.
I've used this set-up a couple of times and it makes a noticeable difference with the old sealed beams. An upgrade to halogens is another step forward. I've got a set of 7" glass housings with H4 bulbs sitting in the cabinet waiting to be installed on my '56. It's a direct "plug-n-play" if the wiring is in good condition.
I don't think a generator system has an equivalent "sensing circuit." I think they can be adjusted to put out more voltage, but the lifespan or the regulator is shortened.
Good Luck!
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,958
Likes: 1
Well....I drove mine home last night (50 miles). It was close to midnight when I got home, but the halogens are soooooo much better. No...they are not like my 01 explorer w/halogen and driving lights, but then again I am not driving the 56 as fast.
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