Headlight Relays?

VFilms · Nov 19, 2021

I just read an interesting article at Madelectrical.com http://madelectrical.com/electricaltech/brighter-headlights2.shtml regarding the benefits of installing headlight relays. Has anyone done this conversion or familiar with this 'upgrade'? If so, are there schematics showing the process? Not sure if it's the right thing to do but it's an interesting thought.

Sixpactogo · Nov 19, 2021

VFilms said:
I just read an interesting article at Madelectrical.com http://madelectrical.com/electricaltech/brighter-headlights2.shtml regarding the benefits of installing headlight relays. Has anyone done this conversion or familiar with this 'upgrade'? If so, are there schematics showing the process? Not sure if it's the right thing to do but it's an interesting thought.

Cracked Back on this site has been providing the kit for our cars for years. I bought one from him for my 68 Charger back in 2015. He will send you the instructions along with the harness and relays. By the way. It is the right thing to do for a few reasons. Cuts down on amps flowing through the bulkhead connectors, Makes life easier for the light switch and the best part is your lights will be much brighter.

Master Gunner · Nov 19, 2021

I made some for my power wagon, more to cut down the amps running to the switch than for anything else. That said, the lights do seem to be brighter running off the alternator.

Mark

dvw · Nov 19, 2021

I made my own for my 95 D3500. You need 2 relays. Cut the low beam feed wire near the lamp itself. The end of the wire that feeds from the body, goes to pin 85 of the low beam relay #1. Pin 86 is ground. Pin 87 is a battery feed. Use 12 gauge directly from the battery. You can fuse it for safety if you like. A 15 amp is more than enough. Pin 30 feeds to the previously cut low beam wire still attached to the headlamp. Go to the other headlamp. Cut the low beam feed wire there. Cap of the wire feeding from the body. Extend the wire still attached to the headlamp and T splice into the pin 30 circuit of relay #1. Low beams are now complete. Repeat the process with relay #2. Only now using the high beam feed wire instead. The headlamp switch now turns on relay #1 for low beams. Your 12 gauge battery feed runs the lamp itself. Same with relay #2 for the high beams.
Doug

dart4forte · Nov 20, 2021

Sixpactogo said:
Cracked Back on this site has been providing the kit for our cars for years. I bought one from him for my 68 Charger back in 2015. He will send you the instructions along with the harness and relays. By the way. It is the right thing to do for a few reasons. Cuts down on amps flowing through the bulkhead connectors, Makes life easier for the light switch and the best part is your lights will be much brighter.

crackedbacks system is the way to go

Kern Dog · Nov 20, 2021

One of the reason that the Crackedback relay setup is great is because he makes them to simply plug into place. There is no cutting of your harness. It is reversible and of high quality.

VFilms · Nov 20, 2021

Kern Dog said:
One of the reason that the Crackedback relay setup is great is because he makes them to simply plug into place. There is no cutting of your harness. It is reversible and of high quality.

Thanks
I Sent a message but haven’t heard back

F4R/T · Nov 21, 2021

No cutting the harness that’s a big bonus!

Gary Gaz · Nov 24, 2021

@Crackedback your mailbox is full so cant message you

417guy · Nov 24, 2021

Look at Daniel Stern Lighting on the web. I bought his kit, if your car has 4 headlights like mine, you will need 3 relays to do it . One for each element. I upgraded all the wiring and it can be put back to original if need be. Didn’t cut into the original harness, just use it to trigger the relays. I upgraded the head lights, the lights are almost as bright as a late model. Much more confidant driving at night !

dvw · Nov 26, 2021

There are only 2 circuits. High beam, low beam. Thus 2 relays. Who cares if it's cut? Do a nice job of splicing and it won't even show. Why would you ever go backwards?
Doug

417guy · Nov 26, 2021

dvw said:
There are only 2 circuits. High beam, low beam. Thus 2 relays. Who cares if it's cut? Do a nice job of splicing and it won't even show. Why would you ever go backwards?
Doug

I’m no electrical wizard, but after discussing the relay circuit with Daniel Stern, I understand for the BEST possible system, my car needed 3 relays. There are 3 elements that require voltage on each side in my lamps. So 3 relays. Each with separate Supply wires and fuses. With 10 gauge supply wire from the alternator output. I chose to leave the original harness in place. Didn’t need to. And I doubt I’ll ever change back. But I know that the lighting on my 68 is GREATLY improved. This is not a sales pitch for Daniel Sterns parts, but I believe they are the best quality. I have bought several of MAD’s relay and other kits for other hot rods I’ve owned, theyre good too.

wish4hemi · Nov 26, 2021

DIY headlight relay article how-to:
https://moparconnectionmagazine.com...t-with-a-low-buck-headlight-relay-conversion/

dvw · Nov 26, 2021

There are 3 filaments on each side. 1 low beam, 2 high beam. The 2 high beam are connected in the factory harness. What is the 3rd relay for?
Doug

417guy · Nov 27, 2021

dvw said:
There are 3 filaments on each side. 1 low beam, 2 high beam. The 2 high beam are connected in the factory harness. What is the 3rd relay for?
Doug

I have wired for a relay to supply each filament.. per Daniel Sterns advice.

dart4forte · Nov 27, 2021

Gary Jenkins said:
@Crackedback your mailbox is full so cant message you

Sent him a text

Woodsy · Nov 27, 2021

dart4forte said:
Sent him a text

I’d be keen to buy one for my 68 Charger

i_taz · Dec 1, 2021

I sent him a PM a few years ago but by the time I heard back I went with this kit. Not cheap but he threw the shipping in, ran everything parallel to the existing wires just unplug and plug in the new. Mesh wire looms as opposed to the plastic corrugated stuff like the ebay kits but there only $20...

https://ceautoelectricsupply.com/headlight-relay-kits/

i_taz · Dec 1, 2021

Then get a set of these and you'll forget all about the LED puzzle... clean white light

https://www.autozone.com/collision-...ght/p/xtravision-headlight-h5006xv/954192_0_0

dart4forte · Dec 1, 2021

Not sure on his story. Sent him a text but no reply yet.

Headlight Relays?

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