Headlight, driving lights.

[DoubleDingo]

So all 9003's/H4's only the two come on for low beam, and then all four for high beam?

 

[SirRobyn0]

So all 9003's/H4's only the two come on for low beam, and then all four for high beam?

Well in the case the oldsmobile I use to own the two outside bulbs were low beam, and during low beam operation those were the only headlights on. When you switched to high beam the high beam filament in all 4 bulbs turned on. So the low beam filament was present in the high beam only bulbs but was unused. I no long recall the bulb number for the Oldsmobile, I just remember being able to swap the bulbs from one position to the other.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Sounds similar to quad headlights on the squares. Low beam top two are on, high beam and all four shine bright

 

[SirRobyn0]

Sounds similar to quad headlights on the squares. Low beam top two are on, high beam and all four shine bright

I very much think the same thing, I've never owned a quad headlight square so I didn't want to make that assumption, I figured it was just better to relay to you how the Olds worked and hopefully that's helpful.

 

[AuroraGirl]

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Sounds similar to quad headlights on the squares. Low beam top two are on, high beam and all four shine bright

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[DoubleDingo]

@AuroraGirl Thanks for the wiring diagram, but I need to know which modern bulbs go in the lower "high beam" housings. I have the stock type sealed beams installed, but will be converting to 9003/H4 housings as soon as I get my relay kit. I guess I could go with all four lit-up at once like the new trucks do and blind everybody. I may just do that, as that is an option with the relay kit I buying...lol...

 

[SirRobyn0]

@AuroraGirl Thanks for the wiring diagram, but I need to know which modern bulbs go in the lower "high beam" housings. I have the stock type sealed beams installed, but will be converting to 9003/H4 housings as soon as I get my relay kit. I guess I could go with all four lit-up at once like the new trucks do and blind everybody. I may just do that, as that is an option with the relay kit I buying...lol...

IMO if you have the headlights adjusted correctly you won't blind folks, but do keep in mind that will be additional electrical draw.

 

[DoubleDingo]

IMO if you have the headlights adjusted correctly you won't blind folks, but do keep in mind that will be additional electrical draw.

It will be, hopefully the alternator can manage it.

 

[AuroraGirl]

@AuroraGirl Thanks for the wiring diagram, but I need to know which modern bulbs go in the lower "high beam" housings. I have the stock type sealed beams installed, but will be converting to 9003/H4 housings as soon as I get my relay kit. I guess I could go with all four lit-up at once like the new trucks do and blind everybody. I may just do that, as that is an option with the relay kit I buying...lol...

the modern bulb that should go in the "low" beam will have some feature or part on the bulb that covers the tip. this is to prevent glare straight from the filament and only allows the housing reflectors/cover to disperse light and not just go out any which way. the high beam, lowers, should then have a bulb without this feature . or the housings. and should be higher wattage I would imagine

 

[AuroraGirl]

It will be, hopefully the alternator can manage it.

What alternator? If its a stock one it probably could if you have a good battery, but that draw will be a lot to be clear, and it may be wise to go to a CS130 or AD130 alternator and upgrade your charge wire

 

[SirRobyn0]

What alternator? If its a stock one it probably could if you have a good battery, but that draw will be a lot to be clear, and it may be wise to go to a CS130 or AD130 alternator and upgrade your charge wire

It's about 4 1/2 amps per-bulb. I'm sure a healthy OEM alternator can manage the 18 amps, most of these trucks are running either a 63 or 78 amp alternator.

Kind of a side discussion (which is fine with me), I don't like to see people go to high of amperage alternator. The CS130 I think is rated at 160 amps, and the AD I think is up there too. Both designed for a serpentine belt, the problem comes in when you try to spin that thing with a single V-belt, you get a low battery and that alternator will shread a single V-belt, it's just to much load. IMO, even an alternator around 80 amps is getting close to where dual V-belts would be ideal, certainly anything over 100AMPS really aught to be dual belted. This is one of the reasons we saw some rigs later on run V-belts for the air pump, A/C, Power steering, but a simple manually adjustable serpentine belt, which typically went over the water pump and alternator. It was to handle higher output alternators.

None of this is needed for an extra 9 amps. My square is single headlights, but I've got hella 550 fogs and use them a lot with the low beams. They also draw about 9 amps for the pair. The alternator handles them no problem even at idle with the heater rolling out defrost on high. I'm running a 4 year old ACDelco reman alternator, I believe it's a 78 amp.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I don't know what amperage mine is, but it seems to be working fine and was sized appropriately to run all of the accessories that GM installed from the factory, so it's probably a 78 amp. I do plan on adding/upgrading grounds, and charging wires soon.

 

[SirRobyn0]

It'll run those two extra bulbs without even noticing it.

 

[DoubleDingo]

That's what I understand after reading some good info on the subject. I never even thought about it before, and after reading that info I want to upgrade every old vehicle I have, and I will as time goes on.

 

[SirRobyn0]

I want to run dual v-belts on my alternator. I don't know that I will ever actually do it, but I'd like to. Sometimes on the farm in evenings (keeping in mind I work during the day at the shop), but sometimes I need to do something after dark I'll run the truck's headlights for a bit if I need lighting somewhere that there isn't any. With the price of gas these days sometimes I'll shut the engine off. When I had the worn out pulley on the alternator it would really want to squeal the belt, to charge a run down battery. Now with a new pulley on it it's fine, but in the back of my head I think a dual belt system would be a good thing. The problem is in order to maintain A/C, P/S, air pump and run dual alternator belts I'd need a 4 grove crank pulley and they seem to be made of unobtainium. They were used on medium duty trucks like C50's & C60's. So the first step would be to find one of those crank pulleys. But given it's working ok as is it's pretty low on my list priorities.