drop-top IROC

I guess this has some third gen relevance, since if it works on my truck I plan on eventually doing the same to my Camaro, but I am considering changing out the headlights on my truck with higher wattage bulbs (100/80 instead of the 65/45 and 65/55 DOT legal ones that are currently installed). I've read where higher wattage bulbs can cause wiring problems since the stock wires are not built to handle the higher wattage and can overheat, fail, short out, etc. I was planning on using a quality bulb (Hella, Osram, etc.- not the cheap Taiwanese/Chinese knock-offs that you can buy on e-bay for $8.99) but is this really going to cause a problem in the long run?

I've done the same swap on motorcycles I've owned with no ill effects, but the wiring systems on a motorcycle are much less complex than a car. Especially a computer controlled car. Any help or insight would be appreciated.

Russ-So Cal

I think the light switch is designed to match the load that the stock headlights draw. If these new lights are going to draw a significant extra amount of power, you probably need to install relays. You then use the switch to operate the relays, while the relays operate the lights. The only difficulty is to engineer the switching from high to low beams. The stock switches and wireing may be big enough, but if it isn't you, could burn down the whole car!

drop-top IROC

Thanks, Russ. I know that the light switch definitely factors into the equation with respect to current draw and overheating the switch, and the relay idea could certainly be a way around that.

Lon has some sort of relay system or aftermarket wiring that (I believe) somehow isolates the headlights or something like that. Lon where are you?

It kind of sounds like I may just have to shelve this idea for the time being and/or just get some good driving lights and figure out a way to mount them. Since the truck is still under warranty, I don't want to go hacking it up and doing something that may void the warranty or worse, burn up my truck!

Russ-So Cal

Lon was at Sema in Vegas over the weekend. I don't know if he is home, yet. I presume we'll see some pics posted when he gets home.

BretD 88GTA

Don't most the Xenon headlight kits include all the parts needed to make them work without risking the electrical system? Adapaters, relays ...etc.

8T8IROC

iTrader: (3)

I recently upgraded to H4 bulbs, went through a few problems, should have read up first to know that it is best to buy the conversion kit from APC, now I have slightly melted bulb connectors

drop-top IROC

Bret,

For the conversion kits (sealed beam --> xenon), yeah - the better ones come with relays, adapters, etc. to make the conversion work, but they come with the standard DOT legal bulbs (65/55w or 65/45w)

I was looking to upgrade an existing system wired for 9004/9007 bulbs from DOT legal 65/55w bulbs to 100/80w bulbs. Sounds like Randy already had an issue with the Camaro conversion, I'm not sure I want to be test case #2.

Imadude_134

iTrader: (9)

i switched out the bulbs in my car for the h4s, and at first i melted the sockets due to the bulb running to hot and to much power, and they had this tendancy to turn on heat up turn off cool down and turn back on (flash randomly). I went to pepboys and bought an adapter thing that has the connector (made of a better plastic) with the 3 wires on it (heaver wires also), and just cut off the old, melted sockets and soldered the new pieces onto the old wires, and had no problems since, well, at first cuz i had the cheap taiwan lights off ebay (came with the housings). But i replaced those with Silvania bulbs, and that was the end of my problems. Now my lights are so bright that i blind other people for a change!!! id post pics, but i dont have my camera anymore. but if ur interested in how it looks, im just north of anaheim on the 5. good luck with your conversion

-Tim-

Russ-So Cal

I don't want to break the news, but I don't think you fixed your problem, you just delayed it. Adding heavier gauge wire to existing wire didn't beef up your electrical system to handle the load, it just beefred up your plug connections at the lights. Sooner or later you will have an electrical system melt down. It may be the switch, or wires, whatever the weakest point in your lighting system will be the next part to melt down.

Imadude_134

iTrader: (9)

hmm... didnt think of that.... its possible.... what should i look for to see if im havein any problems? any suggestions?

Russ-So Cal

I wouldn't look for anything, I would rewire it with the existing headlight circuit operating a set of relays. Use the relays to operate the headlights.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

I've been home since last Thursday (11/3). I do have the headlight relay kit Dan mentions, just never got around to installing it.

Re SEMA Show; the GM display had A Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky available to sit in and play with the controls. There was also a XLR-V on display top-down, the doors were locked though . They probably didn't want us to mess up the pretty white leather seats with our blue jeans. There was also a prototype road-race version of the Solstice with a removeable hardtop. The Solstice and Sky fit me fine, but a gentleman that was 6'5" tried to fit and had his knees hitting the steering wheel. I saw some potential future product and made some good contacts. I decided to rent a car this year. They upgraded me from the KIA Rio to a Chebby Impala (of course for the KIA price). It was nice to have cruise control and an in-dash CD player to make the trip more enjoyable. I also came back with slot machine winnings which is rare.

Lon