Wiring in 2 relays to the headlight's

[68jimmy]

The whole reason to install relays is to provide a higher amperage to your lights thereby increasing the amount of light. This also keeps the increased amps out of the headlight switch and corresponding wiring.
Sometime ago prior to getting hooked on these trucks I owned a vw jetta gli. I installed a set of european lamp assemblies with H4 bulbs that were rated at 85/80 watts. I did much of the same except that each headlamp utilized two relays, one for high the other for low for a total of four relays. The factory wiring was used from the switch to the relays then from the relays I used 10 guage wiring for both the 12v and ground connections. Seems like overkill but I wanted to be sure that when I had my high beams on I wasn't going to melt any wires.
To calculate the amps your headlights will draw use the following: Amps=watts/volts. So for a 55/45 headlamp using the equation gives us: 55/12=4.58. Together your headlights on high beams will draw approximately 9amps of current. Using that information you can now select the proper gauge wire to use from the relays to your lamps and your grounds...

Good luck!

[Andy4639]

Well since we are talking bulbs and such...can some one tell me what kind these are?
I took them out of my daughter's car when I replaced the head light assemblies. This is on the bulb's:
3A HB2
9003
12V
60/55 watt


Will they work in my truck you think? What would be the "+" of using them?
Here is what I have now. Same watt's.

[DavesRide]

Originally Posted by 68jimmy

The whole reason to install relays is to provide a higher amperage to your lights thereby increasing the amount of light. This also keeps the increased amps out of the headlight switch and corresponding wiring.
Sometime ago prior to getting hooked on these trucks I owned a vw jetta gli. I installed a set of european lamp assemblies with H4 bulbs that were rated at 85/80 watts. I did much of the same except that each headlamp utilized two relays, one for high the other for low for a total of four relays. The factory wiring was used from the switch to the relays then from the relays I used 10 guage wiring for both the 12v and ground connections. Seems like overkill but I wanted to be sure that when I had my high beams on I wasn't going to melt any wires.
To calculate the amps your headlights will draw use the following: Amps=watts/volts. So for a 55/45 headlamp using the equation gives us: 55/12=4.58. Together your headlights on high beams will draw approximately 9amps of current. Using that information you can now select the proper gauge wire to use from the relays to your lamps and your grounds...

Good luck!

I did the same to my Jetta. Very easy job. I could light up road signs for the car in front of me from 500 ft behind them. You definately don't want to play high beam games with someone who has the lights hooked up like this. It takes the load off of the switch (not made for that much current) and lets the relays transfer the voltage directly to the lights. A fast 8 point buck was the only thing that stopped them. He stopped too. He died and my lights shined no more.

[Andy4639]

I haven't even drove it at night yet, but knowing it's got the relay's makes me feel better!

[Andy4639]

I swaped the light bulbs this afternoon before we left for my wifes family Christmas. They were the same watt's 60/55 so maybe in a night or so I will get to drive it and see what they look like. They have the Blue tint on them. I cleaned the trim ring up and polished it also while I had it out.
I also picked up another Relay at O-riley's to do my driving lights at some point in the future.