The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1973 - 1987 Chevrolet & GMC Squarebody Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-01-2013, 10:02 PM   #1
willett
Another Day, Another Dollar
 
willett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: North Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,316
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?
__________________
-78 K20 Cheyenne 454 long box, 4" lift, 35" MT's, '84 cab, '80 box

"its hip to be square"
willett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2013, 10:43 PM   #2
JellyBeanDriver
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 268
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.
JellyBeanDriver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2013, 11:15 PM   #3
mongoose
Registered User
 
mongoose's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: slurrey, bc.
Posts: 1,134
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.
__________________
-'73 c/10 - Low with Go - will be complete... probably never.
-'90 2wd Blazer - well... soon enough anyways.
-'84 SWB - the daily gas guzzler.
mongoose is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2013, 01:35 AM   #4
willett
Another Day, Another Dollar
 
willett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: North Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,316
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...
__________________
-78 K20 Cheyenne 454 long box, 4" lift, 35" MT's, '84 cab, '80 box

"its hip to be square"
willett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2013, 01:44 AM   #5
mongoose
Registered User
 
mongoose's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: slurrey, bc.
Posts: 1,134
Re: relays for running high intensity h4's?

W/v = a
__________________
-'73 c/10 - Low with Go - will be complete... probably never.
-'90 2wd Blazer - well... soon enough anyways.
-'84 SWB - the daily gas guzzler.
mongoose is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2013, 03:27 PM   #6
INSIDIOUS '86
Registered User
 
INSIDIOUS '86's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: washington
Posts: 4,178
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
__________________
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
INSIDIOUS '86 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2013, 06:31 PM   #7
83GMCK2500
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Beaverton, OR from WA State
Posts: 1,515
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
__________________
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
83GMCK2500 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2013, 12:02 AM   #8
JellyBeanDriver
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 268
Re: relays for running high intensity h4's?

Quote:
Originally Posted by willett View Post
How much draw can I expect to be fusing for?
Posted via Mobile Device

Ed.
P/IE. right... Wattage should be on bulb box...
Depends on the H4 bulbs you are using.
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.
JellyBeanDriver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2013, 03:29 AM   #9
piecesparts
Parts and more parts
 
piecesparts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere
Posts: 6,821
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
__________________
Frank
piecesparts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2013, 07:49 PM   #10
Skunksmash
Registered User
 
Skunksmash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: TX
Posts: 1,014
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:

HELLA 003530041 12V/25 Amp SPST Mini ISO Relay... HELLA 003530041 12V/25 Amp SPST Mini ISO Relay...
Skunksmash is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2013, 02:11 AM   #11
85sierraclassic
Registered User
 
85sierraclassic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: auburn ne
Posts: 230
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
__________________
85 GMC sierra classic : 350, 4spd, 205, 3.42s, 35s
85sierraclassic is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:40 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com