Headlight Relays

[Doug]

Hi folks,

Hope this subject hasn't been done to death, apologies if so.
I've checked previous posts on this and there's stuff I'm trying to get my head round.

The car is a '75 auto tv8 colour change to black in '88 by the way.

The headlight reflectors have rotted so I'm going to replace them with 4 new ones that take H4s.

Firstly I intend to just make connections to the relevant filaments and leave the others empty and so have the same lighting configuration.

When it comes to setting the relays up for all 8 filaments I'm not sure whether to take a new supply from the fuse box or go straight from the battery +ve at the alternator connection, which would be tidy enough and have a line fuse.

The wiring for the relays will be straight forward but the thing I'm worried about is the dips stay on with the mains and so have 240w wasted along with the heat and general drag on the system.

Are there relays available that can deal with this? And will it affect the flash?

Many thanks Doug

[KOY 23]

8x55=440watts around 33amps, a major %age of the alternators output. Suggest you try Auto Electric Supplies for relays.

John.

[Doug]

Thanks John,

I didn't phrase it properly, what I was trying to ask was
Are there relays available capable of switching the dips off when the mains are on and so save the 220w?

[KOY 23]

Gotcha. Yes, the cube type automotive relays are rated at 30 amps +. You could use one per 2 lamps and have plenty of safety margin.

[Doug]

Great, I'll get on to the merchant to get some..
How about the supply? Where would you take it from?
Cheers Doug

[KOY 23]

I would take it straight off the battery with an inline fuse close to battery.

[Doug]

That's the plan then.
Cheers, Doug