Can we revisit the "Dim Headlights" topic?

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Kendall124
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Can we revisit the "Dim Headlights" topic?

Post by Kendall124 »

Howdy gang,
newest problem is the good 'ol dim headlights. My engine builder says that the halogen sealed beams are drawing too much of a load, thus straining the old wiring harness. Plus having super dim lights. Now this has always been an issue even before the new SR20 motor went in.
I found this in the Techwiki:
http://www.311s.org/pmwiki-311/pmwiki.p ... WiringTech

Anyone have any success with this. Looks super easy to install.

Thanks in advance!
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msampsel
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Re: Can we revisit the "Dim Headlights" topic?

Post by msampsel »

Kendall124 wrote:Howdy gang,
newest problem is the good 'ol dim headlights. My engine builder says that the halogen sealed beams are drawing too much of a load, thus straining the old wiring harness. Plus having super dim lights. Now this has always been an issue even before the new SR20 motor went in.
I found this in the Techwiki:
http://www.311s.org/pmwiki-311/pmwiki.p ... WiringTech

Anyone have any success with this. Looks super easy to install.

Thanks in advance!
Well, I have halogen lights and mine draw about 12-15 amps.
I also switched over to a 63 amp GM alternator and split that current between the white wire and the battery.

Last time I ran the car in May (been working on it) the headlights were good for me.

I have two headlight relays, one for high beams and one for low.
Mine were 5 bucks a pop or so at O'Reillys. So for ten bucks and some 12 gauge wire (which I had) to get current
directly from the battery then switched via the relay to the headlamps you can be all set.

Had I been aware of Dave's solution I might have gone this route.
With two relays I will have either high or low lights if one of the relays fails (less likely for solid state than the old mechanical).

Not sure if your car year is as conducive to the 2 relay solution I used this one:

http://www.311s.org/pmwiki-311/pmwiki.p ... elayWiring
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Re: Can we revisit the "Dim Headlights" topic?

Post by Curtis »

Kendall,

Since you are the Seattle area I could help fix it up if you want to cruise it over to Des Moines. Easy way to do it is slip an adapter between the harness and light switch. The adapter would route power to the switch for normal function of the parking lights, provide power to the headlights and a 2nd relay and take the load off the switch.

Another way to do it is to run a wire from the battery to the relay, fuse it at the relay and add a second relay with wiring changes.

Let me know, Curtis

Have you looked at this?

http://www.kendo-usa.org/datsun/66_68_h ... rewire.pdf
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Kendall124
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Re: Can we revisit the "Dim Headlights" topic?

Post by Kendall124 »

Thanks for posting those links guys! I entered "Dim Headlights" into our search box and there were hundreds of responses. Obviously a continuing issue. Thanks again for posting. I have since forwarded them to my engine guy. Awesome.
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Re: Can we revisit the "Dim Headlights" topic?

Post by garth »

I installed a pair of Trucklite 27270C LED headlights. Very bright with a total draw under 8.0 amps at 12.8 Volts. No need for a larger alternator and circuit modifications if your wiring and connectors are in decent shape. Not inexpensive, $400 for a pair. Definately not a "stock" look either.

An alternative to consider.

http://www.amazon.com/Truck-Lite-27270C ... 1138f31988

If you are interested PM me and I will send you some pictures of the lites installed.
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Re: Can we revisit the "Dim Headlights" topic?

Post by bobd »

The add on wire harness works well and as you said is easy to install.
'69 1600 with SR20DE
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Re: Can we revisit the "Dim Headlights" topic?

Post by msampsel »

garth wrote:I installed a pair of Trucklite 27270C LED headlights. Very bright with a total draw under 8.0 amps at 12.8 Volts. No need for a larger alternator and circuit modifications if your wiring and connectors are in decent shape. Not inexpensive, $400 for a pair. Definately not a "stock" look either.

An alternative to consider.

http://www.amazon.com/Truck-Lite-27270C ... 1138f31988

If you are interested PM me and I will send you some pictures of the lites installed.

So do you need to have one of the "truck" air horns with these? :)
Of course not ... but it might be fun ...
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Re: Can we revisit the "Dim Headlights" topic?

Post by DnCrs13 »

I used a similar harness as the one posted on my car. Very easy to install. Used upgraded lights and they are great. I also mounted an LED light bar in the factory foglight location for extra back roads night light. I would love to see pics of those LED truck lights installed!
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Re: Can we revisit the "Dim Headlights" topic?

Post by Curtis »

You fix the problem with about $15 or $20 worth of wire, relays and a fuse.
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Re: Can we revisit the "Dim Headlights" topic?

Post by Curtis »

Thinking more about this I would make a plug in adapter to go between the starter harness and the dash harness. Splice a 12 gauge wire on to the 10 gauge power feed wire. Run the 12 gauge power wire up to the relay and an ATO fuse right there. Put in one of the fuses that glow when it is blown. Add the 2nd relay, wire it up and you're done.

So one connector, a 4 pin relay, a fuse, a few terminals and some wire. If you want to use 2 bosch type relays you can or you can use the original relay as one of them. For two bosch type you need a 4 and 5 pin.
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Re: Can we revisit the "Dim Headlights" topic?

Post by mraitch »

check out victoriabritsh - great easy headlight harness
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Re: Can we revisit the "Dim Headlights" topic?

Post by Curtis »

mraitch wrote:check out victoriabritsh - great easy headlight harness
Is this fused? And you have to take the headlights out to use it. And as pointed out in the wiki if you don't want the lovely yellow covering you need to remove it and tape it so it blends in.

Part of the problem with the stock headlights is the wires feeding the headlights are only 16 gauge. Comes off of the relay and then is spliced to 16 gauge feeders.

Apparently enough for the stock headlights.
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Re: Can we revisit the "Dim Headlights" topic?

Post by greydog »

Curtis-you make it sound so simple. A little wire, a couple relays, a connector or two and voila! Sorta like saying Bonneville Dam is just a pile of concrete and steel.
For me, that's an all day job if I'm lucky and no smoke escapes!

Still, I don't like the accessory harnesses (even tho they seem to work well). Would much prefer a less "add on" appearance. I like the less stuff look rather than more.

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Re: Can we revisit the "Dim Headlights" topic?

Post by garth »

DnCrs13 wrote:I used a similar harness as the one posted on my car. Very easy to install. Used upgraded lights and they are great. I also mounted an LED light bar in the factory foglight location for extra back roads night light. I would love to see pics of those LED truck lights installed!
Here is a daylight image:
Image

I will post a night time image in a few nights.

The trucklites mount a little forward of the stock position and give a different look. Not every everyone likes the look but heck most have issues with my car's colour.
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Re: Can we revisit the "Dim Headlights" topic?

Post by Curtis »

greydog wrote:Curtis-you make it sound so simple. A little wire, a couple relays, a connector or two and voila! Sorta like saying Bonneville Dam is just a pile of concrete and steel.
For me, that's an all day job if I'm lucky and no smoke escapes!

Still, I don't like the accessory harnesses (even tho they seem to work well). Would much prefer a less "add on" appearance. I like the less stuff look rather than more.

Dan
Actually very simple for me. Think of it as a mini starter harness maybe 3 inches long. You have the 3 wires you normally have and as I mentioned a 12 gauge wire spliced on to the white or black if you prefer 10 gauge wire. Run the 12 gauge wire up to the relay with a fuse inline and plug it in to the relay. Make up a couple other wires and you have a direct feed to the relay and the load off the switch.

For 66 to 67.5 I have a hidden solution that goes up in the driver's side foot well. All you will see is an additional wire coming off the stock fuse block. It hooks up where the light power hooks up. No additional power usage except to trigger the relay.

Edit: I should add here 69-70, a whole 'nother story.
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