Unless you go to a significantly higher wattage bulb this should not
be a problem. The electric circuit is designed for 40/55 watt
headlamps. For this wattage tungsten or tungsten/halogen makes no
difference except for the amount of light that comes out. Watts =
amps X volts, the volts are constant and if the watts are the same
then the current (amps) has to be the same. There seems to be a
general belief that because halogen lamps put out more light that the
current goes up, this is not true if the wattage's are the same. The
halogen increases the efficiency, candlepower per watt.
Bob K
1960 Sprite (Mk IV in disguise)
1966 Sprite Mk III (Trevor, in boxes)
2000 Miata Special Edition
On Sep 3, 2005, at 6:47 AM, David Lieb wrote:
> "Necessary"? Possibly not. Bear in mind, however, that the amount
> of current is significantly greater than the design parameters and
> we are already beyond the expected life of the car. Will a relay
> reduce the load on the switch? Certainly! Would I rather replace a
> dead $5 relay than the $70 dimmer switch which requires dropping
> the column to remove the shroud to access the screws that hold it
> in? You figure it out.
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