Headlight Bulbs
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
The easiest way to wire it would be to use separate relays for the highs and lows and connect the control wires together with a diode so when the high beams are on it energizes the low beams as well, but not the other way around.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,265
Likes: 2
From: Garden City, KS
Right... the point of this was to eliminate the need for a diode. I bought a 50V diode and tried it and after a few seconds, it go so how I couldn't touch it! I know it may be easier, but I don't mind the extra relays.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Garden City, KS
I just bridged the two outter pins in the socket... it wouldn't matter which way I did it, I'd just end up with the wrong beam pattern if I did put it in backwards. All I know is that when I flipped it on so it'd have both beams on, it got WAY too hot! I could've burned myself on it. It was a 50V diode, but it was only rated for 1W or so... might be the problem right there. But still, I'd like to not have to use a diode if I don't have to... what I had in mind should work fine, right? If a relay is off, there's NO way voltage could backfeed through it, right?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
Use a diode, but on the trigger side of the relays. You used a 1W diode in a 55W application, no wonder it got hot! If you don't use a double pole relay the highs and lows will be connected together at the relay output, so both will be on all the time.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,265
Likes: 2
From: Garden City, KS
I'll have to check both out... anybody make a relay that'll combine the two that I want into one relay?
Also, just to make sure... the voltage flows through the diode out the end that has the black ring, correct? Or am I backwards?
Also, just to make sure... the voltage flows through the diode out the end that has the black ring, correct? Or am I backwards?
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
If I were you I would look into adding driving lights. They are extremely good for lighting up the road farther than you can see especially with 100w bulbs in them. I had them in my old truck and will be adding them to my new X. I just have to figure out what I want them and then what kind I want to get.
Because I just loaded this pic I can share. The outside lights were relayed to come on with the dims and are fog lights. The inside lights are the driving lights and are relayed to come on with the high beams. Lit up the road and ditches forever just like daylight! I bet with some HID's in them it would be insane. I will most likely do HID's in my new driving lights just because.
Because I just loaded this pic I can share. The outside lights were relayed to come on with the dims and are fog lights. The inside lights are the driving lights and are relayed to come on with the high beams. Lit up the road and ditches forever just like daylight! I bet with some HID's in them it would be insane. I will most likely do HID's in my new driving lights just because.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,265
Likes: 2
From: Garden City, KS
Yeah, I could also do that, but money is an issue here (I just bought AutoEnginuity! 
) so I need to try to keep the price down. Nice truck BTW...
cartmanea,
I appreciate all your help. Reps to you!
) so I need to try to keep the price down. Nice truck BTW...cartmanea,
I appreciate all your help. Reps to you!
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
Thanks for the compliment! The driving lights on that truck were cheap ones that I think I got from walmart 
I believe they were only like $55. The one thing I do look for when getting lights are a metal housing and glass lens which they had. For my X however I will be getting something higher end like PIAA. Not that I ever had any trouble with the cheap ones and they did perform great. I just want to get top shelf stuff for this X because I will be keeping it forever or until ford brings back the 7.3. 
I believe they were only like $55. The one thing I do look for when getting lights are a metal housing and glass lens which they had. For my X however I will be getting something higher end like PIAA. Not that I ever had any trouble with the cheap ones and they did perform great. I just want to get top shelf stuff for this X because I will be keeping it forever or until ford brings back the 7.3.
New User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
sounds like a stupid question, but have you considered an HID conversion kit? I've been running them for the past few years and will never deal with conventional bulbs again. I was running a higher watt bulb in my heads/fogs on my 08 f150 and it was a disaster. The headlight harness melted and the plastics lenses on the fogs melted. After that I switched to the HID's and never had any issues. They actually run quite a bit cooler. Visibility is a night and day difference between the two as well. I know they have the kits for a 9007 style socket. Since my f150 and my new psd run 9008 sockets I kept the HID's and put them in the f350. Just throwing that out there as an option.