Question for those who installed Headlight Relay
#191792
01/12/09 08:41 PM
01/12/09 08:41 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695 Bitopia
jcc
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If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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OP
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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First, Did it make the improvement you expected? Where did you physically mount the relay, in front of the Rad support or behind (this is my main question) and why? What size wire did you run to power the relay and where did you run it from? ( I have a trunk mounted battery) My application is a daily driver driven in tropical south Fla near the coast and I am wondering if I am asking for future connection problems, etc putting a relay in the very front exposed to highway driven rain, dirt, etc
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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Re: Question for those who installed Headlight Relay
[Re: BDW]
#191794
01/12/09 08:57 PM
01/12/09 08:57 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,861 albany ny
05dakota
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I Live Here
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Re: Question for those who installed Headlight Relay
[Re: 05dakota]
#191796
01/12/09 09:03 PM
01/12/09 09:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 27,347 Today? Who Knows?
1_WILD_RT
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Management Trainee
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Quote:
y 3 relays?
Should be two relays, high beam & low beam...
Mine are mounted completely hidden away behind the headlight bezel so they are protected from the elements...I used 14ga for the power lead, picked it up at the starter relay which you may or may not be using with the rear mount battery..You could use the starter battery lug assuming it is still hot at all times...Most are...
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Re: Question for those who installed Headlight Relay
[Re: 1_WILD_RT]
#191797
01/13/09 01:02 AM
01/13/09 01:02 AM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,095 Valencia, España
NachoRT74
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I fit ALL THE RELAYS under the dash ( hidden by kick panel ), and took the power from ammeter stud, alt side.
didn't cut a wire, simply removed the terminal from original foot switch plug, instaled on relay plug, and run back the other wire ( signal ) on same color between foot switch plug and relay plug with new terminals, so you'll never see a relay anywhere or diff color wires, or splice anywhere.
made teh same on each speed of A/C-Heater.
relays are away from engine bay heat, dust, grease, water and rust caused by elements. and won't tell any splice or added device on engine bay
With a Charger born in Chrysler assembly plant in Valencia, Venezuela
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Re: Question for those who installed Headlight Relay
[Re: NachoRT74]
#191799
01/13/09 01:13 AM
01/13/09 01:13 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 27,347 Today? Who Knows?
1_WILD_RT
Management Trainee
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Management Trainee
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Quote:
I fit ALL THE RELAYS under the dash ( hidden by kick panel ), and took the power from ammeter stud, alt side.
didn't cut a wire, simply removed the terminal from original foot switch plug, instaled on relay plug, and run back the other wire ( signal ) on same color between foot switch plug and relay plug with new terminals, so you'll never see a relay anywhere or diff color wires, or splice anywhere.
made teh same on each speed of A/C-Heater.
relays are away from engine bay heat, dust, grease, water and rust caused by elements. and won't tell any splice or added device on engine bay
Great, except you've missed the main point of the conversion....Your still feeding the power throught the bulkhead connector..
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Re: Question for those who installed Headlight Relay
[Re: 72roadrunnergtx]
#191801
01/13/09 01:32 AM
01/13/09 01:32 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695 Bitopia
jcc
OP
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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OP
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
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Very Nice Are the extra 15A fuses part of the the headlight relay circuit?
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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Re: Question for those who installed Headlight Relay
[Re: jcc]
#191804
01/13/09 12:36 PM
01/13/09 12:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,482 Lake Orion, MI
goldduster318
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pro stock
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Mine are in front of the radiator support, its just easier to do this on an A-body for packaging reasons. I took power from the starter relay (I also have the ammmemeter bypass, etc done to my car), have a 20amp fuse (just one, shouldn't need 2), connected to a 12 ga wire that branches off to the two relays. From there I just interrupted the stock wiring harness and connected the original feed to control the relays and the output to the output of the relays. I made a ground strap that goes to the same post as the parking lights are grounded to. The headlights are now over twice as bright.
With relays though, the idea is to keep the relay as close to the headlight as possible as to minimize the voltage drop (especially if using any factory wiring). I would also make it a point to crimp AND solder the connectors that you use as well.
The more load you get off the factory dash harness, the better!
'70 Duster 470hp 340/T56 Magnum/8 3/4 3.23 Sure-Grip
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Re: Question for those who installed Headlight Relay
[Re: goldduster318]
#191806
01/13/09 01:17 PM
01/13/09 01:17 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 765 Shoreline, Washington
72roadrunnergtx
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Shoreline, Washington
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“Shouldn’t need 2 fuses” with stock sealed beams, or even sealed beam Halogens maybe not. Two reasons I have, first redundancy, should a fault develop in either the high or low beam circuits while I’m blasting down some dark country road some night I can flip over the other functioning headlamps. One fuse, I’m screwed. Secondly, as mentioned I’m running higher wattage bulbs, both low beams =110 watts or about 8.2amps @ 13.5volts. All four high beams=230 watts or 17amps @ 13.5volts. A lot contemporary cars today will fuse protect each side as well as each circuit, again redundancy.
Last edited by 72roadrunnergtx; 01/13/09 01:21 PM.
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Re: Question for those who installed Headlight Relay
[Re: 72roadrunnergtx]
#191810
01/13/09 03:15 PM
01/13/09 03:15 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 936
OLD318
super stock
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super stock
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I did the headlight relays and the amp guage by-pass. After doing this I highly recommend both procedures (amp guage bypass first, then relays).
FWIW...
Did I get the expected results? Yes and no..
Yes, when running down the road the headlights are very bright and the interior dash lights and everything runs much better... The car even starts and idles better...
However, when sitting at a stop light, at idle, in the rain, defroster on, wipers on, headlights on.. you still have a fundemental problem
At idle, the mopar alternator does not put out enough amperage AT IDLE to feed all of this stuff if it is all turned on... for very long it starts to draw (and draw quickly from the battery) which means the voltage starts to drop meaning the lights will start to dim...
So, if you sit in your driveway with the car at idle, and turn on the headlights (and brights) you'll notice over time ( a few minutes) that the voltage will start to drop....and drop ....and drop...
The problem is immediately alleviated if you crank up the idle (rev the engine) or put it in gear and go... The idea being, chrysler never intended on you sitting in your driveway doing this. only pulling up to a stop light for a minute or two..
ANYWAY..if your driving your car with lights on, radio on, defroster on (or AC on) etc.. at night and you pull up to a stop light and wait your going to notice a slight dimming of the lights
So it's not a flawless fix... but it is a substantial improvement... especially while going down the road.
I am planning on adding a relay for the AC. I spoke to Mark at MAD Electrical and he said the only way to alleviate this is to go with a high amp alternator which puts out more juice at idle..
The big question is: exactly what is the idle output for a stock 50 amp / 60 amp/ 78 amp alternator and what is the idle amp output for the upgraded powermaster alternator or FBO alternator...
Is it really worth it to upgrade the alternator. FWIW, my 2002 truck NEVER has this issue...
Oh well,, it was a lot of fun to do this
I put my headlight relays on the radiator core support on the inside by the battery... right next to the forward light harness. I routed the power wires directly from the alternator BAT terminal across the radiator core support (its hidden with the forward light harness which routes the same way) ...
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Re: Question for those who installed Headlight Relay
[Re: OLD318]
#191811
01/13/09 03:29 PM
01/13/09 03:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,482 Lake Orion, MI
goldduster318
pro stock
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I guess I should say I didn't think I needed two fuses because I only have a single headlight on each side. only one filament on at a time! might be different for you four headlight guys.
'70 Duster 470hp 340/T56 Magnum/8 3/4 3.23 Sure-Grip
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Re: Question for those who installed Headlight Relay
[Re: goldduster318]
#191812
01/13/09 04:43 PM
01/13/09 04:43 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,941 WI
Dcuda69
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Quote:
I guess I should say I didn't think I needed two fuses because I only have a single headlight on each side. only one filament on at a time! might be different for you four headlight guys.
I still ran 2 fuses. Like said above, if you pop one at least you have a chance at having some kind of light to get you home! If you pop both fuses you have much bigger problems.
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Re: Question for those who installed Headlight Relay
[Re: Dcuda69]
#191813
01/13/09 05:08 PM
01/13/09 05:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,482 Lake Orion, MI
goldduster318
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
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Lake Orion, MI
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I've got that covered, I keep a jumper wire in the glovebox so I can always reconnect it as the factory had originally by unplugging the relay.
'70 Duster 470hp 340/T56 Magnum/8 3/4 3.23 Sure-Grip
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Re: Question for those who installed Headlight Relay
[Re: 1_WILD_RT]
#191815
01/14/09 12:09 AM
01/14/09 12:09 AM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,095 Valencia, España
NachoRT74
master
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,095
Valencia, España
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Quote:
Quote:
I fit ALL THE RELAYS under the dash ( hidden by kick panel ), and took the power from ammeter stud, alt side.
didn't cut a wire, simply removed the terminal from original foot switch plug, instaled on relay plug, and run back the other wire ( signal ) on same color between foot switch plug and relay plug with new terminals, so you'll never see a relay anywhere or diff color wires, or splice anywhere.
made teh same on each speed of A/C-Heater.
relays are away from engine bay heat, dust, grease, water and rust caused by elements. and won't tell any splice or added device on engine bay
Great, except you've missed the main point of the conversion....Your still feeding the power throught the bulkhead connector..
NO BECAUSE I MADE THIS:
charging upgrade
If you need more info about that will search the link where we heavily discused here on moparts
With a Charger born in Chrysler assembly plant in Valencia, Venezuela
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Re: Question for those who installed Headlight Relay
[Re: OLD318]
#191817
01/14/09 10:49 PM
01/14/09 10:49 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 166 Caldwell. Id
edbux
member
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member
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Caldwell. Id
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I put an alternator in from a 90 Toyota 4Runner. It's 60 amps. The voltmeter sits right above 14 volts when idling with headlights, flashers heater and windshield wipers waving. I was able to use the stock brackets with some modifying but ended up buying the brackets from Magnum HP for a cleaner look.
1967 Dart 270
360/727
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Re: Question for those who installed Headlight Relay
[Re: goldduster318]
#191819
01/15/09 09:37 AM
01/15/09 09:37 AM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 857 charlotte,nc
pyp1000
super stock
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charlotte,nc
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Quote:
Mine are in front of the radiator support, its just easier to do this on an A-body for packaging reasons. I took power from the starter relay (I also have the ammmemeter bypass, etc done to my car), have a 20amp fuse (just one, shouldn't need 2), connected to a 12 ga wire that branches off to the two relays. From there I just interrupted the stock wiring harness and connected the original feed to control the relays and the output to the output of the relays. I made a ground strap that goes to the same post as the parking lights are grounded to. The headlights are now over twice as bright.
With relays though, the idea is to keep the relay as close to the headlight as possible as to minimize the voltage drop (especially if using any factory wiring). I would also make it a point to crimp AND solder the connectors that you use as well.
The more load you get off the factory dash harness, the better!
Any chance you could post a pic of this installation? would like some ideas for my car.
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Re: Question for those who installed Headlight Relay
[Re: cotonymopar]
#191822
01/16/09 07:39 AM
01/16/09 07:39 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,890 Athens, Greece
Pyper70
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Athens, Greece
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If you did the upgrade and your lights begin to dim and voltage starts dropping why not do the easy install of a GM alternator. I have a 100 amp in the 69, the problem as explained to me is that the Chrysler alternators need rpm to supply the battery with juice, with a GM alternator you bring the rpm to 1500 and this turns the switch on inside and its constantly giving you power. 14.5 volts of power....at idle....at 60mph.....at 100mph....
Dont wanna do the GM....slip in a PowerMaster 1xx amp alternator.....I know you people have upgraded from AM radio's to decent stereo systems in your rides. The 4 speakers inside, the subwoofer maybe, run a 1 Farad Cap in the back, some have electric fuel pumps, we are all doing H1/H4 upgrades....I myself am installing H4 Beams later this month, but unlike the typical modification of a relay and wire ( I have done those) I am going with ballasts.
Suddenly that 60amp Chrysler alternator doesnt sound too tough
Family owned 1969 Charger R/T DualQuad 440/727/GVO/3.55s
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Re: Question for those who installed Headlight Relay
[Re: BDW]
#191823
01/20/09 05:37 PM
01/20/09 05:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,019 Eau Claire, WI
ResQ911
super gas
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super gas
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,019
Eau Claire, WI
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Quote:
Best thing ever. Lights don't dim at idle. This along with the ammeter bypass is the way to go. I mounted mine under the battery tray. I used the same wire as the factory, I believe it was 18g.
I used 14 ga. wire but mounted in same location. Also had a local alternator shop rebuild alternator with 100 amp guts inside. Made a NOTICIBLE improvement. Wish I would have done it to all my cars years ago.
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