Re: Possible culprits behind intermittent headlight loss?

Mike Romain  <romainm@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>Ashton Crusher wrote:
>> 
>> There is almost no difference in the current draw between the old
>> bulbs and halogen.  
>
>There is enough difference to blow the bimetal circuit breaker, 
>especially when the high beams kick in.  There is a 'reason' we needed 
>the conversion kits, every one I have seen without it has sooner than 
>later cooked the switch.

On many American cars, the current supply for the lamps was very marginal.
Going to a halogen doesn't pull a lot more current, but it still pulls
too much more.

This is opposed to some British cars where the switches just burn up all
the time anyway, even using the stock lamps.

>Some kits (one for my 1970 Pontiac Safari Wagon) even wired the relay in 
>parallel with the light switch circuit so the headlights got two power 
>sources which was enough to keep that bimetal switch cool.

Hmm, that's a cute idea.  I like that.  
--scott

-- 
"C'est un Nagra.  C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."