Hello
Here is a questions for all you electrical wizzes..

I am following this thread with great interest as I am in the process of
upgrading my 87GL)DOT headlights to E-code with relays.

What gauge wire should I use for my application? Im thinking of getting high
quality power wire, interconnects and fuses/fuseholders from a stereo shop
to minimize resistance and voltage drops. I may change to 100+ watt highs at
one point so I'd like to have a wire thats open to options.
" When operating voltage drops to 95 percent (12.825v), headlamp bulbs
produce only 83 percent of their rated light output" <---quoted from
http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/how_to/relays/

Is it important where the relays are situated on the line, I mean, is it
better if they are closer to the lights? I am using Volkswagens 141 951 253B
relays.

Also due to the fact the 90 amp alternator is aft,  should I use the battery
as the power source for my headlamps because it is closer? or does it
matter. The only disadvantage I can see from using a battery is no headlamp
cut-off with no ignition.
Thank you,
Ken Madsen
Toronto
----- Original Message -----
From: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, November 13, 1999 9:22 PM
Subject: Re: Bosch and Hella H4 Lights - Group Purchace (All Model Years)

> I would say that none of them "stand out" they look just like the SAE
> lights only the glass is a flat instead of round and there is an "H4"
> embossed in the center of the lamp.  The square H4s are the same shape as
> SAE lights - the only "at a glance" difference is the "H4" embossed in the
> center of the lamp.
>
> I am pretty confident that NO ONE is going to get upset if you drive with
> H4 lights.  They do not blind on coming traffic, and there is nothing
> bizzare or weird about them that another motorist or police officer would
> get upset about.
>
> At 11:22 AM 13/11/1999 -0800, JeanneMaly wrote:
> >The H4s that "stand out" are the round ones, right?  Is it correct that
the
> >rectangular ones look just like the originals but give a better lighting
> >pattern, but that the round ones look different than the originals?
> >
> >Even so, I'm sure you're right that we should hang on to the old ones
just in
> >case.
> >
> >Jeanne
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: Steve Lashley <ThingGuy@AOL.COM>
> >To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> >Sent: Saturday, November 13, 1999 11:23 AM
> >Subject: Re: Bosch and Hella H4 Lights - Group Purchace (All Model Years)
> >
> >
> >> In a message dated 11/13/99 11:42:07 AM, vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG wrote:
> >>
> >> <<These lights works quite well, but they are not European spec lights
with
> >> the built in park light.  No, it is not necessary to have the European
spec
> >> lights but it is neat to be unique!>>
> >>
> >> The motorcycle 7" H4s are sold by Hella USA, the European lamps with
city
> >> lights are being imported directly from Europe.  According to my
contact at
> >> Hella, the NHTSA has been going after retailers selling the European
head
> >> lamps, tail lamps and other non DOT approved lighting.  Now if you're
in
> >> Canada, I don't know what the Canadian laws are.
> >>
> >> Hella USA gets away with selling the 7" H4s as they have a legitimate
> use for
> >> off road vehicles.  According to Hella, any retailer selling the
European
> >> lights won't be safe even if they mark them "for off road use"
> >>
> >> I'm not trying to discourage anyone here, just letting you know that it
is
> >> possible that you can get a fine for using non approved head lamps.  I
have
> >> the 7" H4s in my '74, and I am also taking a small risk.  The good
thing
> >> about my Hella H4s is that they don't stand out.  They look very
similar to
> >> the stock lamps.  The European H4
> >> "unique" lamps with the city lights really stand out.  I would
recommend
> that
> >> you don't throw out the originals in case you ever need to go back to
legal
> >> lamps.
> >>
> >> Steve Lashley
> >> '66 Westy
> >> '74 Campmobile
> >> '93 EV MV
> >> <A HREF="http://eurocampers.com/">http://EuroCampers.com</A>
> >> 314-614-0750
> >> Importing German Side Tents, Carver Propane Heaters and other
> Accessories for
> >> Bus, Vanagon and EuroVan
> >
> >
>
> --   David Marshall -                    - Quesnel, BC, Canada   --
> --    78 VW Rabbit, 80 VW Caddy, 84 VW Westie, 85 VW Cabriolet   --
> --       87 Audi 5000 Quattro, 88 2.0L VW Syncro Double Cab      --
> -- David's Volkswagen Home Page        http://www.volkswagen.org --
> -- Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning  http://www.fastforward.ca --
> -- david@volkswagen.org (pmail) or vanagon@volkswagen.org (list) --
>