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#1 |
Another Day, Another Dollar
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: North Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,316
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relays for running high intensity h4's?
Hi guys,
I upgraded to h4's a couple years ago, but the bulbs in there are pretty crappy. I was thinking about upgrading to some better bulbs but have a friend who did the same thing and ended up frying 3 headlight switches before going back to crappy bulbs. I was thinking of just using a couple 12v/30A bosch 5 prongers. does anyone see a problem with this? should I run a single relay for both sides, or a seperate relay for each light. I can't really see 2 headlights pushing 30A. I'm running round headlights (pre-80 style) as well, who makes a bright h4?
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-78 K20 Cheyenne 454 long box, 4" lift, 35" MT's, '84 cab, '80 box "its hip to be square" ![]() |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 268
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Re: relays for running high intensity h4's?
People do this all the time.
Single relay for both sides, one for high beams, one for low. The factory wires are thin and through all the connectors the voltage drop to the lamps are high. Come directly off the battery either through a breaker or a fusible link feeding the relays. |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: slurrey, bc.
Posts: 1,134
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Re: relays for running high intensity h4's?
yeah have like he said.. one for hi one for low,
then just turn them on with the stock wires.
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-'73 c/10 - Low with Go - will be complete... probably never. -'90 2wd Blazer - well... soon enough anyways. -'84 SWB - the daily gas guzzler. |
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#4 |
Another Day, Another Dollar
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: North Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,316
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Re: relays for running high intensity h4's?
How much draw can I expect to be fusing for?
Posted via Mobile Device Ed. P/IE. right... Wattage should be on bulb box...
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-78 K20 Cheyenne 454 long box, 4" lift, 35" MT's, '84 cab, '80 box "its hip to be square" ![]() |
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#5 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 268
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Re: relays for running high intensity h4's?
Quote:
Use a breaker if possible. Thermal breakers are slow to respond - helpful for devices with high inrush current like lamps and motors to prevent nuisance trips. |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: slurrey, bc.
Posts: 1,134
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Re: relays for running high intensity h4's?
W/v = a
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-'73 c/10 - Low with Go - will be complete... probably never. -'90 2wd Blazer - well... soon enough anyways. -'84 SWB - the daily gas guzzler. |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: washington
Posts: 4,178
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Re: relays for running high intensity h4's?
You can look into the sylvania silverstars alot of people like them with relays. Should take alot of hassle out of wiring for 5 prongs
Posted via Mobile Device
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377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511 |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Beaverton, OR from WA State
Posts: 1,515
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Re: relays for running high intensity h4's?
I am in no way affiliated with this vendor, but I do think they have a very well assembled kit: 1973-1987 Chevy & GMC Heavy Duty Headlight Relay Harness
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Devin 1983 GMC High Sierra 2500, 4x4, RC/LB, 400 S.B., SM-465, NP-208, Corporate 10 bolt & 9.5" 14 bolt 1996 GMC Sierra SLE 3500 DRW, 4x4, EC/LB, Vortec 454, NV-4500, BW-4401, AAM 925 & AAM 1050 1997 GMC Sierra SLT 1500 4x4, Z71/F44, EC/SB, Vortec 350 My Introduction with my '83s History New Daily, the '96 |
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#9 |
Parts and more parts
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere
Posts: 6,821
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Re: relays for running high intensity h4's?
Take a look at the wiring harness that Painless sell for the higher wattage bulbs. The harness comes with two relays and 12 gauge wiring to handle the load. YOu can build a similar wiring harness with items from a parts store, but it takes time and you will have to purchase a pair of male plugs to allow you to tap the headlight circuit for you new relays to actuate.
I would at lest try to copy this for longevity http://www.painlessperformance.com/w...rchField=30817 http://innovativewiring.com/?page_id=1291
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Frank |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: TX
Posts: 1,014
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Re: relays for running high intensity h4's?
IMHO there is no need to buy all that. That's way too expensive. I just got two relays and used 18 ga. wire. Made for a nice H4 conversion. Did it about a year ago, still working great today. Bought these headlights:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4x6-H4651-H4...d02531&vxp=mtr Bought these nice relays with the fuse already in 'em. So you don't have all that ugly bulk of running in in-line fuse: ![]() |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: auburn ne
Posts: 230
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Re: relays for running high intensity h4's?
Something like this work? http://www.carid.com/universal-light...FaZFMgodRQ0Amw
Posted via Mobile Device Posted via Mobile Device
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85 GMC sierra classic : 350, 4spd, 205, 3.42s, 35s ![]() |
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