Relays for brighter headlamps

[ryan22re]

last year i added two relays to my 87 and man what a difference. i used two relay kits from gm (actually its a starter relay recall part) part # 22694036, which is a relay with a short wiring harness use part # 88880045 for a longer harness. i used the original power wires to the low beams to energize the relays, and used some heavier wire run from juction block on the firewall to power the head lamps. i also ran heavy gauge wire from the low to high beam. i went from around 11.8-11.9 volts at the lamps to about 14.0 volts. the difference was amazing. dont have the part numbers of the terminals i used to attach the heavy gauge wire to the headlamp connectors, but i could get it if any one is interested. could also draw a wiring diagram. total cost was around $40.

ryan

 

[J.R.]

i would be interested in a write up and diagram on what you all did!! thanks

 

[pos727]

I second that. Thanks

 

[84CUCV]

i would do this as well.

 

[ryan22re]

ok guys am working on diagrams part #s and some digital pics.

i'll probably do diagrams for both single and dual headlamps.

ryan

 

[dyeager535]

Is this what you are talking about doing?

 

[ryan22re]

yes thats what i am talking about.

ryan

 

[ryan22re]

but the way that i did it only requires two relays and will keep the low beams on while the high beams are on. the way i read that diagram, it is really written for just single lamps.

ryan

 

[R72K5]

why is stock voltage lower than 14 in the first place ? GM have a reason or is is due to resistance of the stock wiring ??

hmm..

 

[ryan22re]

it is due to the small gauge wire and the length of the wires.

ryan

 

[dyeager535]

Yep. You'll typically see at least a .5-1V drop at the fuse panel alone from alternator output voltage. When factoring in all the other connections/wire between the firewall and the headlights (light switch, etc) I can imagine quite a bit less.

Easy enough to test, check voltage at the alternator with the headlights on, then pull a headlight plug and test voltage there.