Date:         Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:28:05 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: Headlight Upgrade Dilemma
Comments: To: mark drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <4E6E1524.1060602@cox.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I'm with you - if there is erroneous info - it needs correcting.

My question might have been better put.

Now that the fact of that separate but abnormal circuit is clear - the
question becomes "Does operation with a single relay setup pose a real
or significant threat in any way to the headlight system wiring or
switches?"

That is - can one safely operate with the one replay in place - given
that the separate circuit comes into play only under rare circumstance?
Or does the operation of the dimmer switch bring that circuit into play
momentarily every time it is used?

Thanks.

John

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com


On 9/12/2011 9:20 AM, mark drillock wrote:
> I'm not sure what you are asking. My intent was to stop the spread of
> false info.
>
> In a stock Vanagon all normal headlight current goes through the
> ignition switch and headlight switch, both for high beams and low beams.
> If you add a relay in the manner you posted it moves that current off
> those 2 switches, for both high and low beams. Your false info said the
> high beams don't rely on those switches and that installing the relay
> moves only low beams. This is not true.
>
> People don't normally drive around holding the hi/lo selector lever up
> constantly. Holding the lever up provides a separate but ABNORMAL
> current path to the high beams. Adding the relay does not affect this
> second path. The wiring diagrams show this second path with a connection
> to the high beams. IMHO someone saw this on the diagram and thought it
> showed the high beams as not using the 2 switches. They misread it as
> showing something it doesn't really show. The second path is not used in
> normal continuous operation of the headlights.
>
>
>
> Mark
>
>
>
> John Rodgers wrote:
>> So are you saying this is a very real problem, or is it just that the
>> other pathway does exist.
>>
>> John
>>
>>
>>
>> On 9/11/2011 8:25 AM, mark drillock wrote:
>>> As I said in my original post.
>>>
>>>> ...............
>>>>
>>>> The error with regard to the high beam current route probably arises
>>>> from the fact that a second current path exists feeding the hi/lo
>>>> selector switch. This second path is active only while the selector
>>>> switch is held in the up position by the driver and plays no active
>>>> role
>>>> during either high or low beam operation otherwise.
>>>>
>>>> Mark
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>