Headlight Voltage Drop
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 6
From: Bay Area, Unfortunately
Headlight Voltage Drop
I was curious, what do you guys get for voltage at the headlights? I was thinking about adding relays, but measured my voltage and got 13.2v or 13.8v. My lights are bright, but the alternator puts out 14.5. I was wondering if it would make that much of a difference in brightness with an extra 1.3 volts max.
Thanks,
Nick
Thanks,
Nick
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
I just picked up some relays to do this same modification. Most of the people I have talked with that have done it, have told me it does make a visable difference in the brightness, and will also decrease the load on the switch, which, in theory, should prolong the life of the headlight switch. I have yet to see the effect in person, but I figure for the $8 in cost in relays and wire, its worth a shot. The next step after the relays, is swapping in some Silverstar headlights when my current lamps burn out.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 207
From: Washington
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
when its dark out, turn the headlights on and run another wire (doesnt have to be very big) from the bat to the headlight, just stick it in the back of the plug. I did this and you can see how much brighter the lights get. I got relays but havent installed yet. I thought about making up a couple harnesses for our trucks and try to sell a couple. Think there would be much interest in a plug and play relay harness?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,477
Likes: 19
From: Sheffield, AL
Crankylove, do an Internet search before buying Sylvania Silverstar headlamps. I installed them in my son's 1984 F-150 and they perform very well, but both of the lights (low beam) have burned out in about a year. There are many reports of the same thing. Sylvania explains that due to the high performance nature of the lights, they cannot be expected to last as long as more standard halogen bulbs.
bashby, LMC offers a plug and play headlamp relay harness, at least they did about a year ago, but my understanding is that it comes with lower quality Chinese manufactured relays.
bashby, LMC offers a plug and play headlamp relay harness, at least they did about a year ago, but my understanding is that it comes with lower quality Chinese manufactured relays.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 733
Likes: 2
Crankylove, do an Internet search before buying Sylvania Silverstar headlamps. I installed them in my son's 1984 F-150 and they perform very well, but both of the lights (low beam) have burned out in about a year. There are many reports of the same thing. Sylvania explains that due to the high performance nature of the lights, they cannot be expected to last as long as more standard halogen bulbs.
bashby, LMC offers a plug and play headlamp relay harness, at least they did about a year ago, but my understanding is that it comes with lower quality Chinese manufactured relays.
bashby, LMC offers a plug and play headlamp relay harness, at least they did about a year ago, but my understanding is that it comes with lower quality Chinese manufactured relays.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
Damn! $30 from lmc. I'll have closed to that in parts to make my own, but I was going to make a 4 relay setup for plow lights also
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 6
From: Bay Area, Unfortunately
I priced the LMC one, but with shipping, it was about $40 or more.
I am going to run a wire from the batt to the headlight tonight to see the difference in brightness.
I am going to run a wire from the batt to the headlight tonight to see the difference in brightness.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 39
From: EXTREME southwest CT
I installed the LMC one when I did my 3G upgrade.
Yes the relays seem cheap. But the **additional grounds**and 'plug and play' head lamp sockets made everything brighter, and that load is not run through your dash harness.
I took the time to wrap everything up in harness. (the yellow and blue wiring are godawful)
So for me it was a simple, worthwhile upgrade.
Yes the relays seem cheap. But the **additional grounds**and 'plug and play' head lamp sockets made everything brighter, and that load is not run through your dash harness.
I took the time to wrap everything up in harness. (the yellow and blue wiring are godawful)
So for me it was a simple, worthwhile upgrade.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 6
From: Bay Area, Unfortunately
I am really wanting to do it, and I understand about not running it through the switch. I am a little hesitant because I did it on my 92 and it did not seem to make any difference.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
Crankylove, do an Internet search before buying Sylvania Silverstar headlamps. I installed them in my son's 1984 <NOBR style="COLOR: darkgreen; FONT-SIZE: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: normal" id=itxt_nobr_8_0>F-150
</NOBR> and they perform very well, but both of the lights (low beam) have burned out in about a year. There are many reports of the same thing. Sylvania explains that due to the high performance nature of the lights, they cannot be expected to last as long as more standard halogen bulbs.
</NOBR> and they perform very well, but both of the lights (low beam) have burned out in about a year. There are many reports of the same thing. Sylvania explains that due to the high performance nature of the lights, they cannot be expected to last as long as more standard halogen bulbs.
