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GQ headlight wiring

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:11 pm
by 0xyg3n
Am upgrading my sealed beams in the GQ to semi sealed and trying to find info on how much current the factory wiring will handle.
I would like to run 130w/90w globes in the lights and have worked out at 13.8 volts high beam will draw 9.4 amps per lamp and at 90w for low it will be 6.5 amps per lamp. What I don't know is the rating on the factory wiring and weather it is direct from switch or is via relays. If anyone has a wiring diagram it would be much appreciated. Worst case scenario is I use original wiring to switch relays switching head lamps but as I am a lazy sod just plugging them in would be the way to go.
As I am planning a bit of night driving where lights will be on for at least 13 hours at a time I don't want it to fry or burn out.
Any info much appreciated.

Re: GQ headlight wiring

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:15 pm
by bogged
0xyg3n wrote: I would like to run 130w/90w globes
Upgrade your wiring.. It isnt expensive, and you will get the most out of your lights without frying the Human hair they use for wire

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:17 pm
by ozy1
i agree with bogged,

i also have done this, i made up my own loom, using 4 relays, one for each side high, and low, you can buy the heavy duty headlight plugs form the local auto ellecy,

took me about 2 hours, to knock up the loom, and set it all up, .

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:18 pm
by krimnl
GQ's use a seperate circuit for each headlamp including seperate fuses.
i have used high wattage globes without a problem ,but the negative wire is fairly small so it might be worth increasing the size of the wire. i now use HID headlamps and would recommend them.

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:35 pm
by 0xyg3n
thanks for the info. Was hoping they would use relays from factory which could be upgraded. Bogged refers to hair thin wiring so the mind is mad eup, will re wire it using relays switched off orig wiring.

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:55 pm
by CB0569
I just used 2 x 40A (1 for high and 1 for low) relays for mine and no prob`s SO FAR!!

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:19 pm
by 0xyg3n
Bit of an update. Ended up making own loom. Used original wiring to switch 2 relays (one high and one low) which were wired up to new h4 semi sealed beams via 5 mm wire. Used two 20A circuit breakers to supply relays direct from the battery.
All went well worked a treat using narva 100/130 w globes. Went for a drive during daylight (140km) with lights on low as I wanted to make sure all was well before doing an overnighter to qld where lights will be on for 13 hours. Just as well, when I got home no low beam at all. Checked wiring, relays all good. Problem was 2 blown low beam filaments. Have changed to Phillips 55/60w 50% brighter globes. So far seem to be as bright as the POS Narva 100/130w globes.
Just a word of warning, be careful if fitting high wattage globes as the lights may go out when least expected.

PS: Also fitted 70A alternator to cover load of other elec stuff in the truck.