I hooked up a set of aftermarket driving light on my 83 bird, the other day i noticed that the wires that connect to the switch get hot whe the lights are on. Why is this? How can I fix the problem? I'm thinking about putting the switch in the dash or on the cenert consel, I dont want the heat to melt anything, or burn some thing.

Robert

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Chevy 2.8L 60° V6
Mods:
•K&N Filter Lid
•87 Formula Hood
•Bosch Platinum +4
•Hi-Flo CatCo CAT
•Flowmaster 80 Series Muffler
•83 Trans Am 15x7 Turbo Fin Wheels
•B.F.Goodrich Radial T/A 225/60-15
•Chevy 2.8L Heddman Headers (Going on soon)


http://www.geocities.com/fiream/RobsCarArtPa.html?994187591828

 

Resistance through the wire causes the heat. Generally low budget driving lights (and probaly even more expensive too,,) use a single thin 18ga wire to supply power to both lights. While the fuse & the switch, have no problem handling this, the wire is just barely large enough to keep from catching fire. The best solution is getting a relay to power the lights. A mildly cheaper (but safer) solution is getting heavier gauge wire, and running 2 wires off the switch to each light.

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i'm using a 16ga wire now. my buddie said it may be a bad ground?

 

A single 16 ga still isn't real thick wire for powering 2 35-55watt lamps. Ground could be a possibility, I've always grounded the lamps under the nut of the mount (since I bolt them to the impact bar), closer is better. Make sure you have a good chassis ground as well (lead from - terminal to the frame,, should have one already). There will always be some degree of warmth in the wire though regardless. I'm getting ready to put a relay in for my driving lights.