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peedee
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2005
18:20:19
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 Subject: heat from headlamps
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I am wondering if anyone has experienced problems with excessive heat when using the kit to have both the low and high beams on at the same time.
I have the PIAA extreme white which are 80/120watt and would like to have both beams on at the same time, but I am concerned about melting or damaging my lenses or housings.
Of course I would make my own "kit" if it proves safe to do this. Any help?
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Wa Wa
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2005
18:51:53
| RE: heat from headlamps
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Why??????????
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R/T
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2005
18:57:18
| RE: heat from headlamps
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uh, yeah, I add another "Why?" to this...
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peedee
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2005
19:01:59
| RE: heat from headlamps
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why is it so difficult to get a legitimate answer in this place on the web? If you truly can't figure it out I feel sorry for you
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ewraven
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2005
19:57:15
| RE: heat from headlamps
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I can see why you are trying this.
There is ALOT more light when both high and low beams are on. I haven't read anything on it melting the housings though.
But, I definately wouldn't run higher wattage bulbs at the same time as having the high and low beams on, I think that would be pushing it somewhat. But I really don't know for sure either.
I know in the Nissan Frontier world, people were melting there headlight housings just with higher wattage bulbs alone.
There are other lightbulbs out there that really do offer a lot more light without being higher wattage. The Sylvania Silverstars are in my opinion the best example of this. I've had really good luck with those.
This is actually the first time I've ever read of anytone trying to rig up there lights so that both filaments in a single filament bulb are on at the same time.
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um
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2005
19:57:45
| RE: heat from headlamps
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Message:
oh god
stop thinking so much and worrying about useless stuff
just go about driving your truck and using your lights how you want to
worry about the energy crisis or aids or old age
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Wa Wa
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2005
20:39:17
| RE: heat from headlamps
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I don't understand why anyone would want to do that. If you can't see with the lights normally, maybe you shouldn't be driving at nite. People leaving just their high beams on to oncoming traffic is enough of a problem. There is a reason they're set up like that.
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GGalarmtec
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2005
21:25:42
| RE: heat from headlamps
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Message:
Peedee,I dont know if you will have heat related problems,Just like EwRavin, sez you just might be pushing it.
I first stsrted running Hi and Low beams Via a toggle switch in "66" with my Sunbeam-Tiger,then my 77 F250,68 Vette, 71 Vette and now on my 96 ZR1 vette Oh my 02 4X4X4 Dak.Too. with never any problems.
But I also ran stock bulbs. How bout letting us know if you try it.
02 Qcab 4X4 Heavy duty 4.7 removed fan. .76 TPS, reloacted IAT, K and N drop in. True cold air, TQ. request Mod, Ravin, Ported and polished TB.
96 ZR1, 350,4 cams 32 valves 16 injectors 6speed,K and N, TB coolent removed. Car lowered 1 inch. Borla Cat back.W/LT-1 tips.
High 11's low 12's all day. Top speed over 171.
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OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2005
21:31:34
| RE: heat from headlamps
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I think it would be a wreck looking for a place to happen first time you forgot to dim them to an on coming auto > that is if they don't melt first > should you get this far though I bet the first cop sees those lights well empty your wallet >
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JimmyD
Dodge Dakota
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5/04/2005
15:04:21
| RE: heat from headlamps
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Message:
Peedee.
In the days when manufacturers put glass headlamps in their cars, such a thing could be done fairly easily, with no real worries about the additional heat generated by having both filaments on at the same time. And you could still see the road directly in front of you lit up while the high beams were on.
HOWEVER - these days, car makers seem to like using specially molded, form fitting, plastic headlight housings. The heat from an Original Equipment spec headlight bulb should give no cause for concern. But putting in those higher output PIAA 80/120 Watt units will definitely warm up the plastic, and having both filaments on at the same time would be a steady 16.67 amp draw per bulb.
Hang your hand close to a 200 Watt house light bulb for a while, and you'll get the picture.
There are kits for this, but I wouldn't recommend it: new headlight housings aren't cheap.
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Timberwolf
GenIII
5/04/2005
15:24:11
| RE: heat from headlamps
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Message:
Having both on at the same time does make a big difference. Pull back and hold your switch that changes from low to high and both will stay on. You can see the difference there. In addition to heat problems in the lens(yes it may melt them), you may be overworking your wiring. If you want to go ahead with your plan, you should upgrade your wires. Stock wattage is 55/65(I think) your pulling 4.5/5.5 amps respectively. With the higher wattage lamps, you're upping that to 6.7/10. That's almost doubling it. I think stock wire is only 20 AWG. It may just melt the wire right through. It may not be worth the hassle. Just get some good KC or Hella aftermarket lights and use those.
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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5/04/2005
16:02:32
| RE: heat from headlamps
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Wiring will be an issue, I've been doing alot of research on this subject the last few weeks. I've been doing alot of electrical wiring for home and automotive.
To do 100W @ 12V you need 16G wire at 10', over 10' you need 16G wire.
you really are better off with 16G or better wire.
- Dan M
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R/T
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2005
19:50:10
| RE: heat from headlamps
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why not just add a row of KC lamps to the bumper or over the cab??
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FloriDak
Dodge Dakota
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5/10/2005
14:20:44
| RE: heat from headlamps
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Message:
Hey Peedee,
I've got a 97 dakota and tried a pair of 90/100 bulbs and ran them in low (90 watts) most of the time. It worked great and was really bright! Unfortunately after a few months, it turned the inside of the plastic headlight brown and hazy. After one of the bulbs blew I put in the regular wattage again. Now for some reason there's water condensation in one of the lenses when there never was any before.
I live in Florida, so maybe the summertime heat helped cook the lenses faster... but yea, if you have the higher wattage bulb already, having both filaments on at the same time will probably melt stuff in a hurry...
1997 Dakota Extended Cab
318v8 4x4
Dual Flowmaster Exhaust
K&N filter
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I know
Dodge Dakota
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5/10/2005
15:59:41
| RE: heat from headlamps
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that if somebody drove at me at night with all beams going I would want to pull them out of their truck and break lots of bones.
then i would pry their knee caps off with a screw driver.
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STS
Dodge Dakota
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5/10/2005
16:29:43
| RE: heat from headlamps
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I bought some GE bubs at the local (china mart) and then threw them away becuase I still could see the road when the headlights was on low beam.
So, I went to Autozone and picked up a pare of Sylvania Silverstars (with a oil packing) and still not as bight as I would want them to be but much better than those GE light bubs.
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