Installing Headlamp Relays
#106
Registered User
i just thought i would share this info everyone. the relay harness and daytime running lights do not play nice with each other. the 4v or so that the daytime running lights module puts out is enough to cause the high beam relay to chatter. i don't know a lot about relays but i think i remember reading that chattering can cause them to wear out quick.
#107
Registered User
i figured that was the only way to do it after i learned this. i just thought i would put the info out there. even if they made up harness like Jim's they would still have to do something with the DRL whether it be unplug it or wire it straight to the lights or else they would have this problem.
#109
Jim, a good friend of mine and i were discussing doing this to my truck. He is an avionics electrician and suggested we throw in a photocell and give the truck auto on/off lights and says he can do this while maintaining the switches capability of working. Do you see any reason this wouldn't work? We are going to try and use your diagram to do it.
#110
Administrator
Thread Starter
Jim, a good friend of mine and i were discussing doing this to my truck. He is an avionics electrician and suggested we throw in a photocell and give the truck auto on/off lights and says he can do this while maintaining the switches capability of working. Do you see any reason this wouldn't work? We are going to try and use your diagram to do it.
You would have to play with the position of the LDR so oncoming headlights did not shut them back off, maybe just a delay in the response to the relay.
A spdt switch could select AUTO/OFF operation.
There are plenty of Light/ Dark activated relay circuits on the internet to build around.
Jim
#114
Administrator
Thread Starter
Any Truck Supply or RV Supply will have them, looks like a small metal box with 2) 10-32 studs and nuts, also used on brake controllers.
NAPA has them.
This is what they look like, I have mine all snapped into a rail on my inside fender panel.
http://www.wiringproducts.com/conten..._breakers.html
Jim
NAPA has them.
This is what they look like, I have mine all snapped into a rail on my inside fender panel.
http://www.wiringproducts.com/conten..._breakers.html
Jim
#117
Registered User
Well I did the headlight mod and it was working great for awhile. I was driving back home for a ice fishing with some friends and the lights went out on my truck. I pulled the truck over and with a flashlight I didn't see anything wrong. I took the male prongs out of the factory light and plugged the factory light in and the headlight worked.
I took the factory harness back out and plugged in the relays and I hear some clicking going on. These are bosh relays so I assume the clicking means they're working but I'm not getting any power? Grounds look good, I grounded to the frame and not the negative battery terminal. It's been working for a few months like this so I'm not sure what is going on. Unless I have a bad relay.
I took the factory harness back out and plugged in the relays and I hear some clicking going on. These are bosh relays so I assume the clicking means they're working but I'm not getting any power? Grounds look good, I grounded to the frame and not the negative battery terminal. It's been working for a few months like this so I'm not sure what is going on. Unless I have a bad relay.
#119
Registered User
so you went through all that effort of making the harness and did not run the ground wires to the battery? that is probably the first thing i would do. the frame may be an ok ground but not as good as the engine block or battery. i ground as much to my battery as possible.
#120
Registered User
so you went through all that effort of making the harness and did not run the ground wires to the battery? that is probably the first thing i would do. the frame may be an ok ground but not as good as the engine block or battery. i ground as much to my battery as possible.