The Ford Barn

4ford · 03-29-2015, 09:43 PM

when wiring the headlights 12 volts. do I or should I use a relay? do the wires coming from the relay to the lights have a smaller wire?

thanks for your help!!!

fordor41 · 03-29-2015, 11:01 PM

If stock 6V wires are present they are plenty large enough for 12v. Relay, your call. I have 12V halogen headlights operating off my 70+ year old stock '41 switch and never had a problem. A relay would take some of the load off the headlight switch if that's a concern.

Talkwrench · 03-29-2015, 11:20 PM

If someone wants to put up a diagram showing headlight [12volt] wiring with a relay Im for it!

JSeery · 03-30-2015, 09:57 AM

12v and 6v relay setups.

Don W/Norfolk · 03-30-2015, 10:12 AM

Here's a collection of diagrams I've used. dw

4ford · 03-30-2015, 11:48 AM

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thanks guys for the diagrams... now do you really need the relays?? sounds like no but would be nice to have them in place?

JSeery · 03-30-2015, 12:36 PM

No, relays are not required.

Don W/Norfolk · 03-30-2015, 12:43 PM

I used relays because the existing wiring was inadequate to carry the load so I used it to trigger the relays which I powered by new, heavier gauge wire. There are lots of ways to skin a cat. dw

03-29-2015, 09:43 PM	#1
4ford Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Eagan mn Posts: 132	head light wireing when wiring the headlights 12 volts. do I or should I use a relay? do the wires coming from the relay to the lights have a smaller wire? thanks for your help!!!

03-29-2015, 11:01 PM	#2
fordor41 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: elmira,ny Posts: 1,517	Re: head light wireing If stock 6V wires are present they are plenty large enough for 12v. Relay, your call. I have 12V halogen headlights operating off my 70+ year old stock '41 switch and never had a problem. A relay would take some of the load off the headlight switch if that's a concern.

03-29-2015, 11:20 PM	#3
Talkwrench Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 2,687	Re: head light wireing If someone wants to put up a diagram showing headlight [12volt] wiring with a relay Im for it! __________________ *"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"*

03-30-2015, 11:48 AM	#6
4ford Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Eagan mn Posts: 132	Re: head light wireing Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) thanks guys for the diagrams... now do you really need the relays?? sounds like no but would be nice to have them in place?

03-30-2015, 12:36 PM	#7
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: head light wireing No, relays are not required.

03-30-2015, 12:43 PM	#8
Don W/Norfolk Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 127	Re: head light wireing I used relays because the existing wiring was inadequate to carry the load so I used it to trigger the relays which I powered by new, heavier gauge wire. There are lots of ways to skin a cat. dw __________________ I love this country; it's the damn idiots running the government I'm afraid of.