Headlight?
You Keep What You Kill
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,902
Likes: 2
From: Huntersville, NC
I wouldn't even attempt to do it on the stock wiring, you'd be pulling twice the amperage through the headlight switch and associated wiring. You can build a relay harness rather cheaply, and the 9008 use an easily available socket. Then bridge the relays so voltage from the high beam relay's coil can flow across a diode into the low beam relay's coil. Thinking off the top of my head, if you use a SPDT relay, use 30 to feed the sockets, then on the high beam relay, run the 87 to the high beam pins and jump it across to the 87a on the low beam relay.
I need to take an electrical class at the local community college!
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
If you want to learn 12v, there are MECP schools and I highly recommend Installer's Institute in Holly Hill, FL. I could dope out a relay before, usually working off the little diagram on the housing. Now, I can work them in my head, plus they teach a little of ohm's law, how to use a DMM. You can pick up a copy of the MECP text book on ebay and other places too.
You Keep What You Kill
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,902
Likes: 2
From: Huntersville, NC
If you want to learn 12v, there are MECP schools and I highly recommend Installer's Institute in Holly Hill, FL. I could dope out a relay before, usually working off the little diagram on the housing. Now, I can work them in my head, plus they teach a little of ohm's law, how to use a DMM. You can pick up a copy of the MECP text book on ebay and other places too.
Seriously, I would like to take a basic electrical course just to be able to install goodies on my vehicles and perform basic maintenance around the house. I'm sure that there are courses available at the local community college that's only 4 miles away. I appreciate the information and maybe one day I'll be able to understand your "electrical" related posts.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
MECP (Mobile Electronics Certified Professional) is MERA's (Mobile Electronic'ss Retailer's Association) attempt to create a standard of knowledge for installers. It's based around car audio a little more than I would like, but it was a heck of an education for me. Just reading the small text book was incredibly helpful.
Check out the cheat sheet and DMM primer I made up. There are a few tricks and a little good knowledge.
Check out the cheat sheet and DMM primer I made up. There are a few tricks and a little good knowledge.
You Keep What You Kill
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,902
Likes: 2
From: Huntersville, NC
MECP (Mobile Electronics Certified Professional) is MERA's (Mobile Electronic'ss Retailer's Association) attempt to create a standard of knowledge for installers. It's based around car audio a little more than I would like, but it was a heck of an education for me. Just reading the small text book was incredibly helpful.
Check out the cheat sheet and DMM primer I made up. There are a few tricks and a little good knowledge.
Check out the cheat sheet and DMM primer I made up. There are a few tricks and a little good knowledge.
You Keep What You Kill
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,902
Likes: 2
From: Huntersville, NC
That's what I was thinking of doing... I would even be interested in a focused 2-6 week course. My motivation is for personal growth and self-reliance.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
In my signature, I have a link for tech write-ups. It should take you to a google hosting page where I have four PDFs.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Lower Hudson Valley, N.Y.
I went with these, what do you think? They should be heavy enough I think.
1.5KE15A
Thanks for the help, too, I've never been to one of those classes, I just learn as I go. I am going to check out that book though. That sounds like just what I need. I don't need official cert.'s, I need the knowledge.
Thanks again,
Later...
Brewster...
1.5KE15A
Thanks for the help, too, I've never been to one of those classes, I just learn as I go. I am going to check out that book though. That sounds like just what I need. I don't need official cert.'s, I need the knowledge.
Thanks again,
Later...
Brewster...
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 764
Likes: 1
From: Gulfport/Biloxi, MS
It would require a diode and be pushing the limits on some plugs. At 55watts your near 5amps, double that to 10A and you will be pulling all 10A through the ground plug. Plus your going to producing more heat than intended from the filaments. My relay harness should handle 15A per headlight pin, but I am not so sure of the bulbs.
I wouldn't even attempt to do it on the stock wiring, you'd be pulling twice the amperage through the headlight switch and associated wiring. You can build a relay harness rather cheaply, and the 9008 use an easily available socket. Then bridge the relays so voltage from the high beam relay's coil can flow across a diode into the low beam relay's coil. Thinking off the top of my head, if you use a SPDT relay, use 30 to feed the sockets, then on the high beam relay, run the 87 to the high beam pins and jump it across to the 87a on the low beam relay.
I wouldn't even attempt to do it on the stock wiring, you'd be pulling twice the amperage through the headlight switch and associated wiring. You can build a relay harness rather cheaply, and the 9008 use an easily available socket. Then bridge the relays so voltage from the high beam relay's coil can flow across a diode into the low beam relay's coil. Thinking off the top of my head, if you use a SPDT relay, use 30 to feed the sockets, then on the high beam relay, run the 87 to the high beam pins and jump it across to the 87a on the low beam relay.
Ive done this on several vehicles and no Diode, although it does require two relays. I never use a diode in automotive applications if I can avoid it.
You will need to find the positive wire for the low beams, cut it and connect the wire going to the bulb to pin 30 on the relay. The other end of the wire goes to 87A. You will need to connect 87 to a 12v source (fuse this wire). 85 needs to be connected to ground an 86 connects to the positive wire of the your high beam(wise idea to fuse this as well. When the lights are on low beam the voltage will travel through the relay as if it were not even there. When the high beams are turned on the relay will energize and then connect the low beam bulb to the 12 volts from the battery. You will have to do this on each light.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Lower Hudson Valley, N.Y.
Hah! That's much easier! RP sent!
An added plus is that the direct power give the low beam extra brightness when High beams are on.
Later...
Brewster...
An added plus is that the direct power give the low beam extra brightness when High beams are on.
Later...
Brewster...
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Lower Hudson Valley, N.Y.
Want bright?!? Susquehanna MotorSports - Detail 100/80watt bulb... Read the caveat though.
Later...
Brewster...
Later...
Brewster...