Answers Re: <VV> voltage drop, relays question

[FrankCB at aol.com]

Jeff,
    The same procedure would apply to hooking up a relay to control the 
headlights, except you would need separate relays to control the low beams 
separately from the high beams.  Use the dimmer switch to send a signal through the 
stock wire to the relay.  From the relay to the headlights use heavier wires 
(depending on the current drain of your NEW headlights).  The relays could be fed 
through a separate heavier fuse/breaker since the breaker in the headlight 
switch would no longer control the current reaching the headlights.
    As to whether you NEED a relay, measure the voltage drop occurring 
between your system voltage and the device under consideration.  If it's over 1/2 
volt, then you certainly could benefit from installing a relay or increasing the 
wire size leading to the device.  Or you could simply have a poor connection 
or a poor ground in the stock wiring.(:-)
    Frank Burkhard       

In a message dated 2/25/05 10:15:38 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
jeff.schramm at gmail.com writes:
Are relays an option? The Tech Guide describes a procedure for
installing a relay to control the high-output fan, but doesn't appear
to have a similar procedure for headlights. I've been curious about
this since I saw an aftermarket headlight harness for Volvos:

https://www.ipdusa.com/ProductsCat.aspx?CategoryID=205&NodeID=1048&RootID=629

I'd like to know if it's feasible/practical to consider installing a
relay setup like this in my Corvair, or if it's just a waste of time.