Moparts Tech Archive

Elec Topics

Head Light Systems ?'s - lights don't dim at idle anymore.

A friend of mine said he read that you could run a seperate circuit for the head lights on my old Mopar rr, and the lights wouldn't pull down when you come to a stop light. Can this be done, and if so do you have to be an electrician to do it? thanx jys
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beepbeep
Moparts Member
Posts: 3027
From: Orange, CA. USA
Registered: Dec 2000
posted 05-27-2002 11:51 PM

Before you go through the hassle of installing relays that may not help the problem. Check this out.
http://www.essex1.com/people/rebuild/drop.html
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Anthony Fury
Moparts Member
Posts: 107
From: W. Lafayette IN
Registered: Mar 2002
posted 05-27-2002 11:51 PM

I think what your friend is talking about is a relay. This way, power for the headlights doesn't go into the firewall, through the switch, then the bright switch, then back out to the headlights. I've been told it's a very simple installation, and it improves headlight efficiency greatly (or, they won't dim as much at stoplights).
If you are worried about dimming headlights, do the ever popular dual-field alternator swap....I've seen it work, and it's a beautiful thing!
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oilstrike
New Member
Posts: 9
From: Lexington, KY USA
Registered: May 2002
posted 05-28-2002 12:07 AM

Do you have any part #'s for the dual field alt.? Will it work with stock alt brackets on my 71 383? Finally does it look different from the 71 alt?
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origcharger
Moparts Member
Posts: 1774
From: Fort DODGE, Ioway
Registered: Feb 2000
posted 05-28-2002 06:42 PM

I have a dual field alternator/solid state regulator on my 67 Charger and the lights still dim at idle. I may have to try the relay trick.
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69 1/2 Sixpack Bee
Moparts Member
Posts: 817
From: Ontario, California USofA
Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-28-2002 07:10 PM

Go here..spells it all out.

http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/how_to/relays/
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oilstrike
New Member
Posts: 9
From: Lexington, KY USA
Registered: May 2002
posted 05-29-2002 10:58 PM

thanx 69 1/2 Sixpack Bee, the article lays it out great. I think I'll do the relay deal.
Appriciate your concern beepbeep, about being a survivor. But I've tried to trade her to anyone for a like condition non numbers matching car, with no luck. I'm going to keep all the original parts, but since I drive this car every day, I'm going to get her the way I would have ordered her (I hope).

thanx again to everyone who answered. jys
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info provided by members listed above

I just re wired my headlights to pull off of my battery directly instead of the ignition.It is a very simple,but sweet upgrade,just requires a Bosch relay and Carquest pigtail assembly and some wire.takes about 15 minutes.Now my headlights and heater etc. don't draw their power off of the ignition anymore so when my cars warming up the heater and lights work at full power no matter how low the RPM's are and I only had to splice into one wire on the harness.I amvery pleased I must say(ED Grimly voice)!

Relays sold by lots of people. Hella brand is part 34rd 960 388-46. Also used as a starter relay on Harleys and can be found at bike shops as Custom Chrome part # 17060. I believe it may be the same one used for power antena. i did this to 69 B body with halogen headlights to save the headlight switch. Plums diagram is right on.

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