Dim Low Beams

Discussion in 'Sparky's corner' started by gggvan, Nov 2, 2022.

  1. gggvan

    gggvan Well-Known Member

    I just got a full set of Tricity headlamps and when I took out the old lamps, that were dim, the new on was dim too. Could it be the plug? High beams see ok.
     
  2. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Compared to modern headlights, the T-3 reproductions are dim. The originals were even dimmer. Measure your voltage at the battery with the engine running.
     
  3. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    Even Sylvania Halogens don't compare to new lighting.
    Aircraft landing lights, but you'll blow people off the road with them.:D
     
    john.schaefer77 likes this.
  4. 436'd Skylark

    436'd Skylark Sweet Fancy Moses!!!!!

    You'll need to do a drop test. Measure the voltage at the battery running and then at the headlights themselves. See how much power is lost through the old wires and switches. If the loss is minimal then clean the grounds and see if they get brighter. Otherwise redo the test at the dimmer switch and the headlight switch and see where the power is being lost.
     
    FLGS400 and Max Damage like this.
  5. gggvan

    gggvan Well-Known Member

    thanks, i try all the above. i figured comparing them to modern lighting is part of it. I don't remember ever being blinded in the rear view mirrors back in the 80's.
     
  6. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    Install a couple of relays.

    Tom T.
     
  7. gggvan

    gggvan Well-Known Member

    relays? what does that do? and what are they?
     
  8. Quick Buick

    Quick Buick Arlington Wa

  9. charlierogers

    charlierogers GSX stage 1 4 speed #149

    those relays are the way to go. that gm design of running the power and more importantly the draw through the headlight switch was just dumb!
     
  10. Quick Buick

    Quick Buick Arlington Wa

    FWIW with the Extra voltage the headlamp life will affected.... No they will not burn out next week... The bright lights BANG is worth it....
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2022
  11. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    I normally use the NAPA AR200 relays. They are a 60 amp continuous duty relay used for power seats, door locks, power windows & high blower relay.
    Been using them for at least 25 years without a failure & excellent results.

    Tom T.
     
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2022
  12. gggvan

    gggvan Well-Known Member

    this? https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHAR200?impressionRank=1
     
  13. gggvan

    gggvan Well-Known Member

    do i need a relay for each side or each lamp?
     
  14. gggvan

    gggvan Well-Known Member

    my bad, i'll read the article, 1 relay for each low and high pairs.
     
  15. gggvan

    gggvan Well-Known Member

    I notice the is decribed as blower motor relay, can I do the same for my fan blower?
     
  16. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

  17. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    One relay for low beams. One relay for high beams.
    Wire as shown on relay.
    On my '64 Riv. I mounted them on the fender well next to the battery, painted them black & can't be seen because the size of the battery hides them.
    They can be mounted just about anywhere, just out of direct water intrusion when raining. The wires that run to the lights keep as short as possible & in many/most cases the wire size does not need to be upsized.
    I like the NAPA one better because of the mounting bracket.
    Yes, can be used for blower motor with 3 connections.

    Tom T.
     
  18. redbuick

    redbuick Well-Known Member

  19. gggvan

    gggvan Well-Known Member

    ok, i got all the headlights/bezels and buckets out, had a mish mash of hardware in there. Got the buckets back in and I have some correct bezel nuts that I ordered. All I need is the 12 new retainer screws (ss) and I'm good to go. The tri city lamps are brighter, but I must be losing some voltage ( my meter battery died). I'm assuming I add the relay with the headlight installed.
     
  20. Redmanf1

    Redmanf1 Gold Level Contributor

    Good info^^
     

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