re <VV> Dimmer switch

[Pleau, Dennis E]

I found out at about 60 mph the other day, my Greenbrier had a 3
position dimmer switch, High low and off.  I hit is a few times after it
went to the off position and got low beams back on. I haven't touched it
since.  I have a used switch that was working when I removed it from a
66, but I think I'll go new.  They don't cost that much.

Dp

Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2006 04:29:06 -0400
From: Padgett <pp2 at 6007.us>
Subject: <VV> Dimmer switch
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org

Just a not to those thinking about upgrading headlights.
I have stock incandescent high beams but have replaced the low beams
with 
H5006s but still 35 W. At after the Old Town do I found that I only had 
high beams. Pulling the dimmer switch revealed quite a bit of melting of

the insulator and direty contacts. Jumpered the low beams on and came
home.

Thoroughly cleaned the connectors with a wire brush, Tightened with
needle 
nose and reassembled. With high beans on, blue wire connector was hot. 
Removed, cleaned some more and reconnected. Still hot (145F with low
beams 
and 170F with high). No wonder the insulator looked eaten.

Checked drop across switch with high beams on (35x2 +50x2)=190 watts,
15.8 
amps at 12v  & found .08v drop so not much resistance in switch or 
connectors. According to the manual the blue (feed) wire is supposed to
be 
a #14 but it sure feels smaller to me.

Two lessons here:
- ANY additional lighting will need a relay or parallel wiring.
- If it is an original dimmer/wiring (or do not know) it would be a good

idea to peel back the carpet and check the connections. They may need 
cleaning/replacement.

Dirty contacts will produce Lucas headlights - off, dim, and flicker.

Padgett