68 Headlight Question

[Kurt B.]

What is the wattage of the high beam lamps on the 68 4 headlight system?
Is there any negative effect on the electrical system by subsituting the 2 high beam lamps with lamps that are rated at 100 watts each without any modifications to the wiring or use of relays?
In other words, if I take out the high beam lamps and plug in 100 watt lamps am I doing any damage?
Thank you,
Kurt

[Dick W.]

Re: 68 Headlight Question

Kurt, I tried that over 40 years ago. Bright as "&$(*" while they burn, but the internal circuit breaker will not carry the extra amperage. It ain't no fun running over 100 mph when the headlights go out! The only way that it would work is to install a relay in the high beam circuit. If you installed it close to the lamps, the OEM wiring should carry the current OK. If you don't I would make a new harness for the high beam lamps using a minimum of 16 ga wire, with 14 ga being better

[Joseph K.]

Re: 68 Headlight Question

Unless you really know what your doing electronically I would suggest a professional do any new wiring.

[Jim T.]

Re: 68 Headlight Question

Don't know what you are seeking Kurt, but I have GE halogen sealed beams in all 4 headlight positions in my 68. Going down a dark road, going to bright lights really illuminates the my road travels at night. The low beam halogens are an improvement over the originals.

[Kurt B.]

Re: 68 Headlight Question

Joseph,
I want to avoid cutting into any wiring or altering anything as the car is all original and I wan tto keep it that way.
The headlamp bulbs were drop in bulbs and I was hoping owuld require no wiring modifications but they are 100 watt and would draw about 8.3 amps I am told.
I had Halogen high beams but these 100 watt bulbs are supposed to be much brighter as they are aircraft landing lights, that my son gave me.
They fit in the high beam sockets with no modification but I am concerned about the power draw on wiring that is 40 years old; original but old.
Like me,
Kurt

[Dick W.]

Re: 68 Headlight Question

Kurt, I guarantee that if you use those lamps without a relay, you will end up driving in the dark

[Kurt B.]

Re: 68 Headlight Question

Dick,
Thanks for the heads up; I believe you.
I spent 10 years restoring this car which I have onwed since 1972; the last thing I want to do is damage it in any way.
Why does a relay negate the damaging effects?
Don't the lamps still use the same amount of juice with the relay.
As you can see, electrical is not my thing which is why I am trying to learn.
Can you explain the benefit of a relay in layman's terms to me?
E-mail me off line if you like kbunting@verizon.net
Kurt

[Dick W.]

Re: 68 Headlight Question

When you install you supply the relay with B+ power from a source other than the headlamp switch. You just use the power from the headlamp switch to trigger the relay. Remember, the circuit feeding the relay must be properly fused.

Another point is that if you just have a 37 amp alternator, it will take over 50% of the capacity just to power the lighting system..

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 Headlight Question

Dick,
Thanks for the heads up; I believe you.
I spent 10 years restoring this car which I have onwed since 1972; the last thing I want to do is damage it in any way.
Why does a relay negate the damaging effects?
Don't the lamps still use the same amount of juice with the relay.
As you can see, electrical is not my thing which is why I am trying to learn.
Can you explain the benefit of a relay in layman's terms to me?
E-mail me off line if you like kbunting@verizon.net
Kurt

Kurt----

Besides everything else, using those bulbs may be illegal.

[Dick W.]

Re: 68 Headlight Question

Agree with Joe. The output and the beam do not satisfy the requirements for automotive lighting.

With that said, those lamps make a heck of a set of driving lamps. Down side is that the beam is so narrow and focused, any time you go over a rise in the road, you do not have any light from them on the road.

I ran those as driving lamps in a couple of 18 wheelers years ago. Sure was good for seeing jackrabbits about a mile in front of you!!

[Kurt B.]

Re: 68 Headlight Question

I love the HID headlights on my wife's Audi.
You can't outdrive them and they make driving at night almost like driving in daylight and I thought this was an easy way to accomplish the same thing on the Vette.
We had to replace one of her headlights and it was $650.00 and I thought my alternative was much cheaper especially since the GE 100 watt bulb fit nicely into the high beam opening of the Corvette.
Back to the drawing board I guess,,,
Kurt