Headlight relay good idea?

[36tudordeluxe]

Been sorting out a problem in my 12V negative ground electrical system. Does anybody know how many amps headlights on high beam and tail lights draw? Ron Francis says more than 15 amps I need a relay, any thoughts on that?

 

[Charlie Stephens]

What headlights are you running? If those are the original lights I would suggest the "Brite" bulbs from Ron Francis (I have them in my '32 and they are great) and he should be able to give you that data. While you are at it get some bright tail light bulbs and ask him how many amps they run.

Charlie Stephens

 

[Tom Walker]

The great advantage of the relay whatever the current draw is the better electrical connection in the switching process. Not so much with 12v but still may be worth considering if you are using the original Ford light switch.

 

[JSeery]

This is a relay diagram using Starter solenoids (12 volt solenoids). You can do the same thing using normal 12v relays.

 

[JSeery]

Using modern relays, a 30 amps relay for a auto supply store should be fine.

 

[19Fordy]

Use one relay and wire the headlights through your dimmer switch.
http://www.fifthaveinternetgarage.com/pdf/6-12_Headlight_Relay_Install-3.pdf

 

[36tudordeluxe]

Am using regular 12V bulbs, not halogen.

 

[JSeery]

Am using regular 12V bulbs, not halogen.

30A relays are fairly common at the auto parts stores and way exceed what's required in your system.

 

[19Fordy]

Am using regular 12V bulbs, not halogen.

The relay will work great with regular 12V headlights.

 

[Talkwrench]

Relays are always a good idea Bob, I have halogen globes ohh I do feel sorry sometimes for those in front.

 

[JSeery]

Use one relay and wire the headlights through your dimmer switch.
http://www.fifthaveinternetgarage.com/pdf/6-12_Headlight_Relay_Install-3.pdf

If you have a dimmer switch, I'm not sure how 36tudor has his car wired, but if it still uses the original light switch and doesn't have a dimmer switch this may not work. Normal relays are so easy to use not sure I understand the big appeal.

 

[36tudordeluxe]

My light switch is dash mounted from Speedway, pull all the way out and you have hi-beams.
Looks like there may be a little more involved for a headlight relay than the fan & fuel pump relays I installed. Might leave well enough alone, everything seems to work as it is. Did see a relay with two #87 posts, does that mean I would only need one relay rather than two?

 

[fordor41]

My light switch is dash mounted from Speedway, pull all the way out and you have hi-beams.
Looks like there may be a little more involved for a headlight relay than the fan & fuel pump relays I installed. Might leave well enough alone, everything seems to work as it is. Did see a relay with two #87 posts, does that mean I would only need one relay rather than two?

You need a single pole double throw pole relay. De-energized is low beam, energized is high beam. probably 30-common, 87 normally open, 87A normally closed (or visa-versa)

 

[JSeery]

My light switch is dash mounted from Speedway, pull all the way out and you have hi-beams.
Looks like there may be a little more involved for a headlight relay than the fan & fuel pump relays I installed. Might leave well enough alone, everything seems to work as it is. Did see a relay with two #87 posts, does that mean I would only need one relay rather than two?

It's not more compacted at all! If you have done the same thing for a fan or fuel pump, works the same way, you just need two relays in place of one. The headlights are really two separate systems in one, the high beam filament is totally separate form the low beam filament. Just look at it like running two separate fuel pumps. One relay is for the high beam and the other relay is for the low beam, totally separate. In fact you could just put the relay on one and not the other and it would work fine. Don't let all of this confuse you, no different than what you have done in the past.

 

[JSeery]

36 tudor sent you a PM.