Date:         Thu, 4 Dec 2008 20:01:33 -0500
Reply-To:     Jonathan Poole <jfpoolio@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jonathan Poole <jfpoolio@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Headlight Upgrade
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I know that many on the list have made these improvements but I thought
someone may still be interested in the improvement and specifically the
voltage increase at the headlights that I achieved through the use of Frank
Condelli's relay kit and by running a 10 gauge power supply from the starter
to run the headlights.

Before the above listed changes I was getting about 11.9 volts at the
headlights with the engine idling.  After the changes I get about 13.1 volts
at the headlight with the motor idling.

This upgrade plus putting in the 100/80 watt bulbs and aiming all 4 of my
headlights (south african grill setup) has resulted in a dramatic
improvement of night driving visibility.  I had a shop aim my headlights
last year but they did a very poor job and the lights were way off.

Before these changes driving under low beams only was a strain due to poor
aiming and dim lights.  It wasn't as bad as my old 6v beetle used to be but
in some situations I think it could be considered dangerous or at least
annoying.  Another benefit of this modification is that my batteries (house
and starting) maintain a higher voltage since the headlights pull from the
alternator instead of the batteries.  There is still a drop when the lights
are on but it is lower.

relay kit and bulbs:
http://frankcondelli.com/hdltrela.htm

aiming guide:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html

I picked up 25' feet (more than is actually needed) of stranded 10 guage
wire at the local Lowe's and misc crimp on connectors at the local auto
parts store.  I ran the wire without dropping the gas tank.  Getting the
wire over the gas tank involved sticking a coat hanger over the top of the
tank space and then taping the wire to the hanger and pulling the wire
through to the other side of the tank.


Jonathan Poole
'83 AC Westy

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