H4's on early car

[dogslovetrucks]

Need to replace the front lamps on my car. While I can source the orig sealed beams, I'm considering the option of upgrading to halogen. Anyone have any experience with this on an early car? I know the 67 fuse box is not a marvel of modern engineering- I'm not sure it could handle the extra power draw.
Thanks

[Bill Verburg]

????
Not sure what you mean here

7" halogen sealed beams are available just about anywhere

or are you trying to update to th RoW H1 or H4
like these


safer wiring w/ a relay is desirable even w/o any increase of current draw for the lights, and is easy enough to do

there are quite a few threads on this topic in the archives

[HarryD]

Originally posted by dogslovetrucks
Need to replace the front lamps on my car. While I can source the orig sealed beams, I'm considering the option of upgrading to halogen. Anyone have any experience with this on an early car? I know the 67 fuse box is not a marvel of modern engineering- I'm not sure it could handle the extra power draw.
Thanks

You should be able to do so but I would strongly advise that you install headlamp relays to control the power to whatever headlamps you are installing. P-cars are designed so ALL of the Headlamp power goes through the contacts on the high beam flasher stalk and over time, this can fail. Higher wattage lamps significantly increase the time to failure.

Many of us (including me) have upgraded. The upgrade consists of a set of relays (one for high beams, one for low beams). The existing circuit is used to energize the relay and close a set of contacts. The set of contacts connects a new fused circuit from the battery to the headlamps you want to operate.

There are two popular suppliers of the upgrade kits: Marcus Sucro (http://members.rennlist.com/msucro1/relaykit.htm) and Daniel Stern Lighting (www.danielsternlighting.com). Marcus's kit is less expensive but is designed for cars later than yours and mine and you will need to do some customization. Daniel's kit has most of the parts that you need but you will need to figure out the wiring yourself. I will say that Daniel does include some very nice Hella headlamp sockets in his kit and they should be used by all.

Below is a suggested wiring (you only need to consider the hi and low beam parts unless you also want to add driving and fog lamps).

[dogslovetrucks]

Thanks for the links Harry

[Icemaster]

Originally posted by Bill Verburg
[B[/B]

Who's car is this?

[rgrimm]

These are the 7" H4 replacements from out host. I'm using standard wattage bulbs, but haven't installed relays (yet). But it's been a few years with no problems, and the increase in visibility at night, even without the relays, is substantial.

[HarryD]

Originally posted by rgrimm
These are the 7" H4 replacements from out host. I'm using standard wattage bulbs, but haven't installed relays (yet). But it's been a few years with no problems, and the increase in visibility at night, even without the relays, is substantial.

Roger,

I had standard wattage bulbs and my stalk got fried at about 120k miles. The relays will not change the light output very much, but they will save you from a a possible failure when you do not need it and a need to buy a $179+ part to repair the damage.

[rphillips]

I'll have to look into mine, they were done by a PO and I don't think they used headlamp relays. There seems to some sort of power drop when you let off the gas. Just ever so slight, but the lights do dim. Visability is great though.

Rick

[rgrimm]

Originally posted by HarryD
Roger,

I had standard wattage bulbs and my stalk got fried at about 120k miles. The relays will not change the light output very much, but they will save you from a a possible failure when you do not need it and a need to buy a $179+ part to repair the damage.

You're right, of course. I just read Sucro's post on adding genuine Bosch relays to his kits. I know you can piece it together for less money, but I'll go the "one stop" approach--it's only $28 after all.

I'm doing the '84 this summer (I'm really not driving the '68 after dark much anymore). But I'm contemplating making The Redman at Road America with the '68. Since it would be with significant night driving, I'd kit that car as well before I take it.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally posted by Icemaster
Who's car is this?

It's one of mine