Board logo

Main Beam
prelude1980 - 5/1/08 at 05:52 PM

I have sierra stalks (later type) and SVC's 5 3/4" lights and premier's loom.

The problem i have is when i flick the main beam's on the dip's go out? is this normal or have i done something wrong with the wiring.

Any ideas?

blakep82 - 5/1/08 at 05:55 PM

i think thats normal for most cars, annoyingly.

stevec - 5/1/08 at 06:00 PM

Sounds correct to me aswell.
Steve.

Confused but excited. - 5/1/08 at 06:05 PM

It's done so that the bulbs have a shorter working life due to greater amounts of thermal shock.
It's a conspiracy I tell you.

JoelP - 5/1/08 at 06:08 PM

well i heard it was to stop them overheating!

blakep82 - 5/1/08 at 06:11 PM

^ i heard it was a bit of both...

prelude1980 - 5/1/08 at 06:15 PM

ah thanks for the replies,

is there any way i can make both come on when i hit the main beam, as i can't see anything in the dark when they are on

britishtrident - 5/1/08 at 07:27 PM

Yes it can be done by wiring in a extra relay --- but I don't think it will help muchif the main beam isn't illuminating the road enough I would suspect something is wrong.


Check the charging voltage with head lamps on , bulb wattage and earths, wiring size and switch.

RazMan - 5/1/08 at 07:51 PM

It might be stating the obvious but bear in mind you will be drawing something like 16 Amps with both beams switched on - watch your battery / alternator.

If you have got cheap halogen bulbs your beam pattern can suffer - choose a quality bulb like an Osram of Phirrips - made a hell of a difference in my lights.

[Edited on 5-1-08 by RazMan]

t.j. - 5/1/08 at 08:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by prelude1980
ah thanks for the replies,

is there any way i can make both come on when i hit the main beam, as i can't see anything in the dark when they are on


Use 12V instead of 6 V ?
Use Halogen instead of duplo
Are they adjusted right?

If yes then upgrade your lamps
I personal would not changes the wiring.

It's simple to do by using a diode or using some relay. you just must prevent that in dip both stay on.

stevebubs - 6/1/08 at 03:02 AM

quote:
Originally posted by prelude1980
ah thanks for the replies,

is there any way i can make both come on when i hit the main beam, as i can't see anything in the dark when they are on


yes - push the stalk the other way to "flash" your way forward....

stevebubs - 6/1/08 at 03:03 AM

PS sounds like there's something wrong. My 7in Fury lights are perfectly adequate at night...

rusty nuts - 6/1/08 at 10:46 AM

Suspect that using 5 3/4" lamps rather than 7" could have some effect on the light output.?

Peteff - 6/1/08 at 04:10 PM

If both filaments light together the lights have to be in separate housings, I think BMW use twin headlights that stay on together. If both filaments in a H4 are on together it will burn out quicker and will not improve your visibility. Your best bet would be to fix the problem properly. It may be the position of the lights causing your problem, if they are higher they throw a better pool of light.

[Edited on 6/1/08 by Peteff]

prelude1980 - 6/1/08 at 04:15 PM

well looking at the answers it seems wha i have is right, perhaps it's just me as the main beam is higher on the road than i'd prefer.

I might just add some spotlights to keep me happy