<VV> halogen lights

[Chris & Bill Strickland]

>However, there is substantial voltage drop through the headlamp switch and wiring and using headlamp relays would get more voltage to the halogen lamps resulting in substantially improved light output.
>  
>
This will also improve standard incandescent headlamps and relays take 
nearly all the load of the headlight switch, extending it's useful life 
beyond that of the current owner (when correctly installed).

>If you are going to non-sealed beam H4/H1 lamps, then you REALLY need to use relays...
>
Standard wattage H4's aren't much worse for cunsumption than any other 
standard lamp, however, since a relay system (and appropriate design and 
wiring) will improve just about any oem headlight system (compare 
actuall votage readings at the headlight to that at the battery), it is 
only a reasonable thing to do to go along with the halogens, as well as 
improved grounds, in search of improved lighting.  Reports to the 
contrary generally indicate that there was/is a pre-existing poorly 
maintained connection somewhere or a failing headlight switch or other 
electrical malfunction.

Detroit  can be pretty cheap when it comes to buying copper -- that and 
reduced weight is behind those periodic rumors of 48 volt electical 
systems on production vehicles

Higher wattage (and generally illegal) halogens do require wiring 
improvements, especially if you are trying to run them concurrently with 
high watt H1 lamps, as in a quad headlight setup.

see http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.html

Bill Strickland