Headlight switch too hot?

tsanborn

Member
I've been having issues with my headlight switch. inconsistent contacts for headlights/taillights and when on, the metal case gets too hot to touch. I understand that the ceramic dimmer rheostat is intended to get hot but I didn't think it was suppose to migrate to the rest of the switch. It is a Dennis Carpenter replacement. I've gone ahead and ordered a second one, we'll see if it makes a difference. Wish they weren't all made in China.
 
What kind of headlights do you have? I ask because a fellow hot rodder had the same issue. RF headlight switch would get so hot he had to use gloves to turn them off. He was running Halogen headlights through the switch. Current draw way too high, two switches before he called me. I offered to install reals to power the headlights, he elected to replace the headlights to conventional sealed beam, problem went away.
 
So what happens if you use a thermoscan temp gun on it. Then next day pull out one headlight and scan the temp again? Next day swap the headlights, and see if you get the same reading? I sometimes like to experiment, and see if I can get the problem to move.
 
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