Technical Headlight wiring upgrade

[Twink80]

I saw a video on YouTube from AutoBella showing a wiring upgrade for the headlights and wondered if anyone had tried it?

The kit is a couple of relays supplied by power direct from the alternator
It would seem to make sense having a more direct power supply rather than the cumulative voltage/current drop in the standard set up. (As standard the full voltage and current for the headlights comes from the ignition switch via the headlight switch and then the column stalk hi/lo through fuses eventually to the headlights. This cant be great for the switch contacts either around 5amps per light)

Driving back on unlit roads a couple of nights ago, above 60mph was pretty sketchy on dip beam so I’m going to try the mod with my own relays on dip first

 

[bugsymike]

I saw a video on YouTube from AutoBella showing a wiring upgrade for the headlights and wondered if anyone had tried it?

The kit is a couple of relays supplied by power direct from the alternator
It would seem to make sense having a more direct power supply rather than the cumulative voltage/current drop in the standard set up. (As standard the full voltage and current for the headlights comes from the ignition switch via the headlight switch and then the column stalk hi/lo through fuses eventually to the headlights. This cant be great for the switch contacts either around 5amps per light)

Driving back on unlit roads a couple of nights ago, above 60mph was pretty sketchy on dip beam so I’m going to try the mod with my own relays on dip first

My only thoughts are would the fluctuation of an alternator supply direct going from min volts to max give the bulbs a harder time than a more consistant/damped steady voltage from the battery?

 

[Twink80]

My only thoughts are would the fluctuation of an alternator supply direct going from min volts to max give the bulbs a harder time than a more consistant/damped steady voltage from the battery?

I think the output is rectified and stabalised if you have a modern enough alternator, but I agree and I would probably use the starter motor cable which runs straight from the battery

 

[bugsymike]

I think the output is rectified and stabalised if you have a modern enough alternator, but I agree and I would probably use the starter motor cable which runs straight from the battery

Yes I agree alternator AC output is rectified and most have solid state control managed by the ECU in later systems, they also shut down/reduce alternator output when extra engine power is required as modern alternators are quite high out put.
Mind you there must be some limit of output reduction, otherwise headlights would dim the faster you went, a bit like old fashioned vacuum operated wipers when I was an apprentice , the more throttle, the less vacuum so the wipers slowed down, happy days.

 

[bugsymike]

There is high voltage bulb kits with transformers to emulate some of the really bright lights on some new car.
A good headlamp reflector design can make quite a difference.
Many years ago I converted a BSA Road Rocket dynamo to 12 volts and fitted a Cibie concave headlamp with a Halogen bulb into the headlamp nacelle, that and the twin 12volt airhorns discouraged motorists who objected to being passed.