Do I need to add relays to be able to run halogen headlights on my 57. And, if you do, who sells a system already put together. Thanks
Normally standard replacement Halogens will work ok.
Higher power ones will definatelly require higher capacity parts.
Just remember you may have a 58 yr old relay and wiring.
Goodluck,
Ron.
What Ron said. Sylvania makes a halogen in 3 different brightnesses that use the same connector plug as the originals. I opted for the cheap lower output ones because I found out it was what I pulled out of the car 10 years ago and had them on my shelf. I thought they were just the old fashioned sealed beams, and dusted them off just to check out my new wiring. I was surprised to find out they were halogens. I figured if I used them nightly with my old wiring when the car was my daily driver, they certainly should be ok, as others have posted, with my new wiring. The lower output ones are at Walmarts...8.88 ea.The higher output ones are at AutoZone. They look just like the original sealed beams.
From there you can move up to lenses usually with smooth glass, and replaceable bulbs...like our newer cars. I believe those type should definetly use a relay kit. The connectors are different on those also.
So, my suggestion would be to buy a set a the cheapies and see if they improve the lighting enough for you
After testing these, I may go to a higher output. If I do, relay circuits are readily available that use a relay and bypass the headlight switch with the main current.
I'm using halogen headlights with my stock wires and relays and don't have any problems.. They are just old headlights that I took from cars in the junk yard.
Jim if you go with "off the shelf" bulbs you will be good to go. If you are talking about the hi output seperate bulb/reflector system you should use relays. If you want to see if the stock switch will handle the increased current install the hi output lamps and keep your hand on the light switch. If you feel any warming that means you will need a relay system.
Ron Francis and Painless both sell kits to install the hi output lamps.
I really need to update the headlights on my 1958 (other brand) truck that has a painless wiring harness and Sylvania halogens. I was directed to this site and, though I haven't spent any money here yet, I found it very informative on updating headlight wiring circuits:
http://danielsternlighting.com/tech/tech.html
Let me know what you think, I will be doing some headlight updating over the holidays.
Sure beats the heck out of a "I don't actually know anything, I just sell" ebay purchase. You mentioned a painless system. I'd check their offerings just to keep it in the family.
Jim, ebay seller rodtique has exactly what you are asking for.
H4 headlight relay wiring harness 2 head light sytems.
Zap :unitedstates:
Quote from: Zapato on 2015-12-07 21:53
Jim, ebay seller rodtique has exactly what you are asking for.
H4 headlight relay wiring harness 2 head light sytems.
Zap :unitedstates:
Zap,
I couldn't find Rodtique but I found Octane Lighting and they have two Halogen bulbs. One is 60/55 W and the other is 100/90 watt. They claim 30% and 50% increase respectively. They also have a harness that looked like what I needed for $35 bucks. Would I need a harness for the 60/55W bulbs. Thanks, Jim
Yes!
Also, is the 100/90 bulb too much. I don't want to be that guy that I hate coming at me. But, I don't know what kind of lights those are that I hate coming at me. Jim
Quote from: JimNolan on 2015-12-08 07:52
Also, is the 100/90 bulb too much. I don't want to be that guy that I hate coming at me. But, I don't know what kind of lights those are that I hate coming at me. Jim
Is it just me or do you also feel like shooting at those people :003: Some of those damn things should be outlawed..
Quote from: JimNolan on 2015-12-08 07:52
Also, is the 100/90 bulb too much. I don't want to be that guy that I hate coming at me. But, I don't know what kind of lights those are that I hate coming at me. Jim
No problems if they are properly adjusted. Those style lights have a much sharper cut off (focus) on the low beams much like modern cars. Hi beams are a different story, they cover a bunch of road for a long distance ahead. I personally think this is a much needed mod for cars that are more then show queens.
It's not only the guy coming towards you, I had a guy in a truck behind me that was blinding me in the mirrors, I was ready to slam on the brakes and take out his grill and lights. That was with the wifes car of course :003: I don't think these are Halogens, they are some other killers
Alright guys,
Done, got the relay harness ($35) and two Clear Glass H6024 bulbs ($35) that suppose to push 30% more light that standard bulbs and still fit my 57 without cutting the back out of my original headlight buckets. Would have liked to had the brighter lights but they are longer than original bulbs. Shipping was $24 but I'm getting what I think would look good and do a better job than what I have now.
I'm too late, I was going to suggest these. I'm going to use them sometime in the future I think.
http://www.drakeautomotivegroup.com/Store/Product/C0DZ-13007-A.aspx?wid=141
"Also, is the 100/90 bulb too much. I don't want to be that guy that I hate coming at me. But, I don't know what kind of lights those are that I hate coming at me. Jim"
Exactly my thinking. That's why I decided to go low and work up from there. Some of the Big Rigs are getting too bright also....made me wonder if the big trucks have hi/low beams at all since I can't remember ever noticing a big rig's lights changing when approaching.
Quote from: hiball3985 on 2015-12-08 16:58
I'm too late, I was going to suggest these. I'm going to use them sometime in the future I think.
http://www.drakeautomotivegroup.com/Store/Product/C0DZ-13007-A.aspx?wid=141
I read in more than one place that the size is different and they have a hard time getting them to stay fastened in place. No kidding, I too liked the Ford emblem.
Quote from: RICH MUISE on 2015-12-08 18:49
"Also, is the 100/90 bulb too much. I don't want to be that guy that I hate coming at me. But, I don't know what kind of lights those are that I hate coming at me. Jim"
Exactly my thinking. That's why I decided to go low and work up from there. Some of the Big Rigs are getting too bright also....made me wonder if the big trucks have hi/low beams at all since I can't remember ever noticing a big rig's lights changing when approaching.
Last time I was behind the wheel of a big rig was in 1996, ( and I spent way too many years doing it before that) and I used to drive on low beam most of the time because I changed to Sylvania Extra Vision headlights. They light up both ditches really well so you can see the deer and whatever else is beside the road. Made a world of difference. They were better on low beam than on high beam.
Quote from: JimNolan on 2015-12-08 18:58
I read in more than one place that the size is different and they have a hard time getting them to stay fastened in place. No kidding, I too liked the Ford emblem.
Thats interesting and good to know. I considered these as I know two people who have used them, one early truck and one early mustang and no one said anything about a problem. I'll talk to them again when I see them.
I have to say this as irrelavent as this may be... in the late '60's I bought a pair of aircraft landing lights at the airport (parts store) here. They were 600W 5 3/4"!!! I put them in a '66 Chevelle. They were a "bolt up". I put them in, turned the lights on, (the alternator light came on..duh) and I went up the road in another car to see how bright they were. When I got back back to the Chevelle and an officer was waiting.......... I saw the LIGHT!!!! :003:
Quote from: lalessi1 on 2015-12-08 20:59
I have to say this as irrelavent as this may be... in the late '60's I bought a pair of aircraft landing lights at the airport (parts store) here. They were 600W 5 3/4"!!! I put them in a '66 Chevelle. They were a "bolt up". I put them in, turned the lights on, (the alternator light came on..duh) and I went up the road in another car to see how bright they were. When I got back back to the Chevelle and an officer was waiting.......... I saw the LIGHT!!!! :003:
Had to laugh a buddy of mine used the same setup in a 66 Fairlane GT, he mounted them in the high beam spot cop got him a couple days later.. Gave him choice of removing them or tow. Not having the right tools he got lug wrench and broke them on the spot.
Zap : :unitedstates:
Tried that trick myself except got a pair of farm tractor housings and
bolted them to my Edsel split bumpers empty bolt holes.
Turned them on and someone a half mile down the road flashed me!
They were scary bright. Took them right off, been in the basement 40yrs now.
Ron.
I went ahead and ordered the Drake lights, arrived today. I just installed one so I can compare it to the original sealed beam, just waiting for dark. It fit like a glove, no installation problem.
Well.... (it's way dark here)... :003:
Quote from: lalessi1 on 2015-12-14 18:58
Well.... (it's way dark here)... :003:
Then they probably look great at your house :003: It's getting close to dark, maybe another 20 minutes...
Just took a spin around the block, what a nice improvement. The new light is a nice white, and much brighter, really shows how yellow and dim the old lights are in comparison. I'm happy..
I wanted to take a picture but the camera battery won't take a charge anymore, it's always something, as soon as I get one thing off the list I add something else..:005:
Awesome! (I guess?... now I have something else to have to add to my list.) :003:
Quote from: lalessi1 on 2015-12-14 19:33
Awesome! (I guess?... now I have something else to have to add to my list.) :003:
You mean the never ending list :003:
I sure wish Scott Drake made more stuff for our vintage Fords. I just checked out the link to the headlights. I think I'll order me a pair before too long just to have them ready when I need them.
I've got to ask....they referenced a "right hand drive headlight" with a -AUS suffix pn also available....make me wonder if it was April 1 when they wrote that....WTH?
I read that too and it left me scratching my head. I didn't see where you can order direct so I got mine on Amazon with $30 I had left on an old gift card so they only cost me a few bucks and were here in two days. When I ordered they said only 4 left but they would be getting more..
Thinking about the AUS version...only thing that makes sense to me really has nothing to do with "right hand drive", but the fact it was made in Australia..maybe a different connector configuration??
Quote from: RICH MUISE on 2015-12-15 06:08
I sure wish Scott Drake made more stuff for our vintage Fords. I just checked out the link to the headlights. I think I'll order me a pair before too long just to have them ready when I need them.
I've got to ask....they referenced a "right hand drive headlight" with a -AUS suffix pn also available....make me wonder if it was April 1 when they wrote that....WTH?
Rich, headlight high beam reflector designs cause a flat cutoff for a ways and then kick up, kinda like this .... __/. This would be for oncoming traffic in the left lane. \__ .... would be for oncoming traffic in the right lane. I suspect this is what the comment references.
Thanks Lynn, that just added some more scramble to my simple mind :003:
What?? You're kidding, right? left and right headlights? for our old cars? Did I wake up in the twilight zone? If you tell me yes, I swear I'll never build another car.
Quote from: RICH MUISE on 2015-12-15 09:39
What?? You're kidding, right? left and right headlights? for our old cars? Did I wake up in the twilight zone? If you tell me yes, I swear I'll never build another car.
I think Drake and Lynn are pulling our chain and we are falling for it :003:
On the early VW Bugs, with the glass headlight lens covers, they were available in both "right hand" drive, and "left hand" drive versions. It has to do with how the flutes are cut in the lens to divert the light beam to the edge of the road and not into on coming drivers.
Quote from: hiball3985 on 2015-12-15 09:46
I think Drake and Lynn are pulling our chain and we are falling for it :003:
Remember, the new Star Wars is releasing this week end!
Quote from: John Palmer on 2015-12-15 11:12
On the early VW Bugs, with the glass headlight lens covers, they were available in both "right hand" drive, and "left hand" drive versions. It has to do with how the flutes are cut in the lens to divert the light beam to the edge of the road and not into on coming drivers.
OK, now I understand it, nice to learn something new..
Quote from: John Palmer on 2015-12-15 11:15
Remember, the new Star Wars is releasing this week end!
The Star War insanity will have to go on without me :burnout:
That does make sense I guess, but now I wonder how we ever got our headlights adjusted.
Quote from: hiball3985 on 2015-12-15 09:46
I think Drake and Lynn are pulling our chain and we are falling for it :003:
I promise not... :003: I don't even own a light saber!!! :003: (I used to run on road rallys...lights were important)
Quote from: RICH MUISE on 2015-12-15 12:42
That does make sense I guess, but now I wonder how we ever got our headlights adjusted.
I remember official/certified headlight adjusting stations, haven't seen one in a long time.
Quote from: lalessi1 on 2015-12-15 16:10
I promise not... :003: I don't even own a light saber!!! :003: (I used to run on road rallys...lights were important)
Now we know what you put on the Xmas list :003:
HO HO HO
you guys are just too hi-tech for me. what ever happened to backing off 25 feet from a wall and setting the lights off the wall pattern.
Zap- :unitedstates:
oh, check headlight design on wikipedia and there are right and left bulbs, who knew?
Quote from: Zapato on 2015-12-16 10:57
you guys are just too hi-tech for me. what ever happened to backing off 25 feet from a wall and setting the lights off the wall pattern.
Zap- :unitedstates:
oh, check headlight design on wikipedia and there are right and left bulbs, who knew?
X2, I use the garage door and a road test :003: