One More Headlight Relay Thread

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by TR65

....... The lamps are motorized and follow the terrain to keep glare down for oncoming drivers. They also turn left and right following the steering.

TR

So, will this be the next mod to the '65 ??

[rustyrodknocker]

Originally Posted by FreakyMalo

Great write-up!

I built a similar relay system with Bosch relays for my '60 Olds and it made my lights brighter without changing out the bulbs. I did the same as you with heavier wire and good grounds. It takes the load off the headlight and dimmer switches and you don't get the voltage drop from the switch to the lights.
One trick I pulled on mine was putting a diode between the high and low beam input wires. With the flow going towards the low beam side. This will make the low beams stay on when you hit the high beams. Really nice when you have quad lights.

I have always wondered why these were not this way factory. does anybody know? you have four lights why not have them on?

[TR65]

chevyrestoguy
Re: One More Headlight Relay Thread
Outstanding write-up, TR!

Love the pictures with captions and your schematic. I am a huge fan of H-4s, and have used them for years. They are definately a "must-have" upgrade for any old vehicle.

Thanks Chevy!

Alan's Classic
Re: One More Headlight Relay Thread
Thanks for the write up and inspiration. I used it when I did mine.

Thanks Alan, Your truck is really looking good by the way!!

ChiefRocka
Re: One More Headlight Relay Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by TR65
....... The lamps are motorized and follow the terrain to keep glare down for oncoming drivers. They also turn left and right following the steering.

TR

So, will this be the next mod to the '65 ??

Chief, The E-code lamps and H4 Hella's work so well I have put that on the back burner, way back.

rustyrodknocker
Re: One More Headlight Relay Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by FreakyMalo
Great write-up!

I built a similar relay system with Bosch relays for my '60 Olds and it made my lights brighter without changing out the bulbs. I did the same as you with heavier wire and good grounds. It takes the load off the headlight and dimmer switches and you don't get the voltage drop from the switch to the lights.
One trick I pulled on mine was putting a diode between the high and low beam input wires. With the flow going towards the low beam side. This will make the low beams stay on when you hit the high beams. Really nice when you have quad lights.
I have always wondered why these were not this way factory. does anybody know? you have four lights why not have them on?

Without relays the amps would be around 40, with the four lamps on, too much for the switch, and too much for the old generators and alternators. with a modern alternator and relays, should be no problem.

TR

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by TR65

Thanks Alan, Your truck is really looking good by the way!!
TR

Striving towards your level of craftsmanship.

[forestb]

Will mounding the relays behind the grill like that expose them to moisture when it rains? Will that cause problems?

[Rich 5150 69]

Shouldn`t they are sealed units. providing you mount them with the contact posts pointing down.

[forestb]

I an having the same problem you did with the plug not being correct only my wires are a different color. My plug has a red wire with a green stripe, a white wire and a black wire. I assume the black is the ground but I don't know which wire goes to the dimmer and which one goes to the the lights.

Originally Posted by TR65

Guys,

There are a number of good headlight relay conversion threads on the board. Here are a few of them:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...elay+headlight

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...elay+headlight

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ight=headlight

I am going to add one more based on my recent experience. My headlight switch failed after I installed halogen bulbs in the truck so it was time to go to relays.

I started with a heavy duty headlight harness from LMC Truck #36-3580 ($30). It includes the relays and new headlight lamp connectors. It also has power wire connectors and plug in connectors to the relays. The connector that is supposed to hook to the stock truck wiring is not correct for our trucks and is of no use.

I cut the harness apart and reworked it as shown below. It is a good starting point.

Works like a champ. My next step is to convert from sealed beam to H4 bulbs in Hella E-Code Reflector lamps as explained by Rogue in this thread.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=395480

TR

[Johns66]

Originally Posted by TR65

Guys,

There are a number of good headlight relay conversion threads on the board. Here are a few of them:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...elay+headlight

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...elay+headlight

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ight=headlight

I am going to add one more based on my recent experience. My headlight switch failed after I installed halogen bulbs in the truck so it was time to go to relays.

I started with a heavy duty headlight harness from LMC Truck #36-3580 ($30). It includes the relays and new headlight lamp connectors. It also has power wire connectors and plug in connectors to the relays. The connector that is supposed to hook to the stock truck wiring is not correct for our trucks and is of no use.

I cut the harness apart and reworked it as shown below. It is a good starting point.

Works like a champ. My next step is to convert from sealed beam to H4 bulbs in Hella E-Code Reflector lamps as explained by Rogue in this thread.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=395480

TR

I know this is an old post, but it looks like the blue/white striped wire is ground off the relay and the brown and white wires off the relay are high and low beam that connect to the factory plug for the dimmer?

[TR65]

Maybe I don't understand the question, but: The only colors that matter are the brown (tan) and light green wires from the truck harness.

The brown (tan) wire from the truck is the low beams and should go to the low beam relay coil. The wire from the relay switch goes to the horizontal tab on the bulb connector.

The light green wire from the truck goes to the high beam relay coil. The wire from that relay switch goes to the vertical tab on the bulb connector according to the diagram in the post.

Then hook up the grounds, and power wires.

Good luck men,

TR

[kieth]

I ADDED THE hella e code reflectors with h4 bulbs, had already done the relay wiring upgrade with halogen bulbs, but the hellas' are "light years ahead" ha.........they look like aircraft landing lights.......well worth the $130 . wonder if they make a set of just high beam only bulbs.......Kieth

[DakotaKid]

Originally Posted by TR65

Good tip Freaky.

(The diode would connect the light green and tan wires in my diagram, would need to be rated at a few hundred milliamps.)

Thanks,

TR

would this need to be put in before or after the relay?

Thanks! great thread

[TR65]

Hi Kid,

The diode would go between the relay coil wires (low current). That way the low beam relay will stay closed when you hit the high beams.

Good luck,

TR