When you add the relay(s),  do it with heavier gauge wire too. Not only will
you not burn things out, but you'll get more power to the bulbs.  They'll be
even brighter.  We did this last summer with a relay for highs, lows, and
fogs.  The headlights are the square H4's from David Marshall.  H4 bulbs are
80/100 watt Xenon, H3's are 100 watt Xenon. We tapped power directly off of
the battery.  We added  a 50 amp circuit breaker in the battery box, and
fuse block mounted behind the glove box.  The wiring is all 10 and 12 gauge.
As my 12 year old son says: "geez dad, this is brighter than a  night game
at Yankee Stadium".

Gary
----- Original Message -----
From: Justin B. Jensen <jjensen@SprintMail.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2000 6:22 PM
Subject: Re: Two Questions - headlight improvements / automatic tranny?

> Ric, Craig and Listees:
>
> As Ric mentions below, 100-Watt H-3's can be added quite simply to the
> driving light housings on '86 and newer vans for immediate lighting
> gratification.  I have been running this setup for many years now without
a
> problem until recently.  During a trip to the Grand Canyon not long ago I
> ran the high beams continuously for several hours.  The added electrical
> load smoked my ignition switch circuit handling headlight loads as well as
> my headlight dimmer switch.  I am not abandoning the 100-Watt H-3's (no
one
> could after becoming accustomed to the added visibility) however, I am now
> waiting for the Bus Depot to deliver along with the new ignition switch
and
> dimmer switch a relay which I will wire into the high beam circuit to
carry
> the added load around the headlight switch, dimmer switch and ignition
> switch which should preclude future problems of this sort.  If you are
> running this setup you should consider adding a relay ASAP before you end
up
> replacing the overloaded components.
>
> Justin
>
> SLC Utah
>