Yes, definitely headlamps relays (& IMO fuses) are in order.
Without relays, on long chilly drives, the headlamp switch can make a nice
hand warmer.
But I think a pair of those high beams should only draw about 11 amps. I
hook up a reliable ammeter at the battery and jot down the draw of every
major circuit just to get an idea of what is going on.
Geo
On Sun, Dec 8, 2013 at 7:17 AM, Chris Simo <ccsimonsen@gmail.com> wrote:
> It was a beautiful day in Raleigh on this last Friday and I drove the TR4
> to work. It's a good 45 min drive but really great to get the car out in
> december without a coat at 6am in the morning.
>
> The drive in was mostly in the dark - but uneventful until I pulled into
> the Bojangles drive through to get a biscuit 2 cars back from the
> paywindow. I looked over and the ammeter was pegged!
>
> i popped the hood disconnected ground from the battery (I love my little
> green knob) and nothing looked bad. the ammeter was still pegged. gave it
> a rap and it went home. Started up again - looked good until I turned on
> the headlights and pegged again. - paid and parked and realized when I
> replaced the electric fan controller - I had not connected it directly to
> the alternator as I had done before.
>
> I have the fan thermostat set just over the thermostat opening temperature.
> and it never got hot enough to kick the fan in during the drive to work -
> that and the headlights bumped the ammeter to the rail during startup and
> the ammeter stuck. another rap to the ammeter sent it down - but only a
> small bit with the headlights and fan on - I am running close to 30 A with
> my headlights (new sealed beam halogens H6024 from Walmart 8.88 each)
>
> I had a good scare for sure. Learned a few things - an Ammeter is a good
> thing, My vanity for a clean engine compartment got in the way of better
> judgement; People seem to be more tolerant of an old car with the hood up t
> in a fast food drive through than I would have thought. I was really
> happy with the light coming off of the halogen sealed beam headlights.
>
> So i'll be playing with wiring this afternoon. Re-route the power to the
> fan (I put an inline fuse in there already!). I'll order materials to
> relay the headlights, It's on my to do list- but I never do it.....
>
> Chris
>
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