Re: Halogen Lights and generators

["Gerald A. Henry" <met57@freewwweb.com>]

While I agree with what John said, what I want to know is "What is the
wattage of a standard headlight?"  If it's 55/60, then there is no need to
upgrade anything.  If it's less, which is what I thought, then there is.

A relay, like what Nate suggested, is never a bad idea on any high wattage
circuit.  Headlights, horn, etc.  It takes the load off the "switch".

Gerald

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Teufel" <phantom@annapolis.net>
To: <metropolitan@listserv.azstarnet.com>
Sent: Friday, March 24, 2000 7:15 AM
Subject: Re: Halogen Lights and generators


> Here is my 2 cents worth on both halogen headlights and generators.
> I don't remember the number, but all the major lamp manufactures make a
> 7" round halogen sealed beam headlight that is a drop in replacement for
> the non halogen headlights. They draw no more current from any cars
> electrical system than the regular bulbs and give much more light. From
> the time these came out I have always replaced my regular sealed beams
> with them and have had no problems. The list of cars I have done this on
> includes the '61 Met I had. If the car has a generator they will still
> dim down at idle, because at that point the generator is not charging
> and the cars electrical system is drawing what it needs from the
> battery.
> As for generators, I had the one on my '61 rebuilt. On a bench test it
> put out 50 amps at just under 15 volts. I had an amp gauge in the car
> and if I had really run the battery down it would show the generator
> charging at 30 amps (this being where the regulator was set).
> I would not recommend changing the tail light bulbs to hooligan because
> of the heat factor.
>
> John
>
>