Re: Radials, Belted and judging....

Posted by HH56 On 2011/6/11 14:17:02

"Borrowed" from a halogen history site:

The first U.S. halogen headlamp bulb, introduced in 1983, was the 9004/HB1. It is a 12.8-volt, transverse dual-filament design that produces 700 lumens on low beam and 1200 lumens on high beam. The 9004 is rated for 65 watts (high beam) and 45 watts (low beam) at 12.8 volts. Other U.S. approved halogen bulbs include the 9005/HB3 (65 W, 12.8 V), 9006/HB4 (55 W, 12.8 V), and 9007/HB5 (65/55 watts, 12.8 V).

Depending on whether you had the 9004 or 9007 equivalent, each lamp will draw between 1/2-1 amp more on low and about 1 1/2 amps more on high beam using those wattage numbers as compared to original headlamp rating of 50/40 watt. The circuit breaker is only 20 amps so with the added draw plus all the other lights using that same breaker, it was probably just a bit much. I also believe the breakers do deteriorate slightly and lose capacity with age and then there's the old age terminal and ground corrosion problem that can also increase current draw.

One reason to add a couple of relays and separate power when going to higher output lights.