In a message dated 05/11/2007 5:10:58 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

I wonder  how much of a difference these really make to the  overall
light
output.  It seems to me that you are still using the  15+ year
old
small gauge wiring and that the only thing that you are  really
doing is
by-passing the high currently going through the  headlight
switch thus
saving it and installing brighter bulbs to get  more light
output.

It would be interesting to get a back to  back
comparison of actual
voltage at the headlight before and  after
installing the relays - I would
suspect there won't be much of  a
difference due to V=IR losses.  In
other words the more currently  you
put through a wire the more voltage
loss you get - these old  wires
will have a lot more resistance than  new
ones.

Well, you can say whatever  but best is to go check the real situation.  I
have been making, selling  and installing these relay kits, see my _Vanagon
Headlamp Relay  Upgrade_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/hdltrela.htm)  website, for
years.  Mine are very similar to what Go Westy  offers, they are nothing new
or ingenious.  I have personally checked the  voltage at the headlight socket
before and after on many vans.  The  scenario is always the same. 9.5 volts
before 11.5 volts afterwards.  Go do  it yourself and see.  More voltage
produces more light.  I think the  bulb are 12 volt bulbs so they should be operating
at 12 volts or near  there.  Yes, I agree the wiring is old and if you really
want to do it  right then ALL the wiring to and from the headlights should be
replaced with new  12 gauge wire.  BUT, this is a job most Vanagon owners
can't do and are  unwilling to pay for since the results of just installing the
relay kit and  higher watt bulbs makes them happy !

    Now, just because you have more light does not mean  the headlight lens
is putting it where it would be most useful.  The other  problem with the
Vanagon headlights, especially the rectangular ones, as  has been wrung out here
numerous times is the DOT lens structure.  H4 lens  structure works much, much
better.  You have to try them side by side to  actually see then you will be a
believer !   My Westy now has the  H4 lenses with 90/100 watt H4 bulbs, the H3
lenses with 100 watt bulbs, my relay  kit and I WILL blind you if I wish if
your coming at me in the dead of  night !

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) )
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
- Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10,  2007