[Shotimes] Re: upgrading bulbs in headlights

[cmichaelo@optonline.net]

Yes, I did the measurement at idle (~800rpm.) At 1500rpm, the battery voltage is higher. I'd say it's almost 14V in my car. I have UD pulleys, so that's the reason for the low battery voltage at idle.

Still, at full alternator charge of 14V, the voltage at the bulbs would then be 2.2V lower, or actually 2.5V lower. But the 43% gain from the wiring harness should be the same though (if my assumptions are correct.) 

Michael
94MTX,green,BOS+,Koni/Intrax,Baer,Corbeau
SHO items for sale: http://hometown.aol.com/cmichaelo/for_sale.html

----- Original Message -----
From: Carl Prochilo <gr8sho@prochilo.myserver.org>
Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2004 5:00 pm
Subject: Re: [Shotimes] Re: upgrading bulbs in headlights

> Great note Michael.
> 
> BTW, do you have UDPs?  I believe they would also be responsible 
> for the
> lower voltage at idle if that's the way you did the test.  If you 
> rerunthe test at say 1500 RPM, I would expect to see higher 
> voltage to the
> headlamps.
> -- 
> Cheers,
> Carl Prochilo
> 92 Ultra Red Crimson
> 
> On Tue, November 9, 2004 3:53 pm, cmichaelo@optonline.net said:
> > Just out of curiosity, I decided to measure the voltage at the 
> headlights.> It was an amazingly low 10.2V (both headlights on), 
> while the battery
> > voltage was 12.4V. So 2.2V is lost in the wiring harness, relay, 
> contact> points, switches, etc.
> >
> > So with a "perfect" wiring harness and by eliminating other spurious
> > voltage drops, let's say the voltage at the headlights can be 
> increased to
> > 12.2V.
> >
> > That would mean an increase in light output power by 43%, 
> assuming the
> > light power is proportional to the square of the voltage across 
> the bulb.
> >
> > The wiring harness at Summit seems to be identical to the one at
> > Comptetition Limited, except it's $10 less at $39.99. Anyone 
> tried the
> > Summit one yet?
> >
> > Michael
> > 94MTX,green,BOS+,Koni/Intrax,Baer,Corbeau
> > SHO items for sale: http://hometown.aol.com/cmichaelo/for_sale.html
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: MonsieurBoo@aol.com
> > Date: Sunday, November 7, 2004 10:13 am
> > Subject: [Shotimes] Re: upgrading bulbs in headlights
> >
> >> I wouldn't necessarily single out the SHO, generically, but my own
> >> one  could
> >> sure use this upgrade.  I thought it was just my advancing age.
> >> Polishing
> >> plexi has no fears for me since I've polished many a cycle fairing
> >> windscreen
> >> and helmet faceshield.  Nor does this straightforward  upgrade
> >> exceed my
> >> electrical skills, but some specific details from those  who've
> >> BTDT would be great!
> >>
> >> It seems like the pros are saying don't just hook the grounds to
> >> sheet  metal
> >> if you have a better choice.  Makes perfect sense to me.  They
> >> suggest (in
> >> general) alternator housing or batt neg term.  Both  seem messy in
> >> terms of
> >> running yet more wiring to those  particular places.  Where else
> >> would be a good
> >> and secure  place in the front of a GenII?
> >>
> >> Also where in the GenII engine bay is the connector for the hi/lo
> >> wires  that
> >> come out of the headlight switch?  That kind of stuff translates
> >> poorly from
> >> the manual to reality unless they have a clear pix at the right
> >> distance and
> >> angle  ;-)
> >>
> >> Any good spots for mounting the relays?
> >>
> >> TIA
> >> Mark LaBarre
> >> 94 atx 125k
> >> _______________________________________________
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