New H4's with city bulbs

[njoconnor]

With winter closing in up here in Cheeseland, I took last Saturday to finish installing the new H4 bulbs with city lights in the Blue 72. I'd finished the new 95amp alternator last week, so I was all set for connecting all the wires. Using the Greg Smith relay kit (get one!) and lights from A/R, I drilled small holes for the city bulb wires in the headlamp buckets. Installed a rubber grommet over the wires, tied a loose overhand strain knot on the inside, and connected the city bulbs to the front side markers. I wanted this to be easily reversible, so I assembled "V" connectors for each positive and ground lead, branching from the original marker leads to the marker lights and the city bulbs. Reconnected the battery, flipped the light switch to middle position, and:



I'm quite pleased with the results! Switched the ignition on, flipped the switch to headlamps, and wow....those are bright!!! Couldn't get the camera to take a decent picture, they were so bright.

Finished prepping the car for its winter nap, and completed all of the yard machine maintenance so there's space for the Fiat in the back garage.Goes in for the nap Wed night, ahead of the next drencher rain (while thelawn is still fairly firm). Snooze till April.....

Realized that I had no more parts sitting on the shelf, awaiting installation. First time in 3 years. THAT feels strange........

Neil

[SoFlaFiat]

Nice job Neil!
And I'm sure you will come up with a new project soon!

[bradartigue]

Last time I bought these:

https://www.busdepot.com/0301600118

They had a slot for the primary bulb and a daytime bulb. I like daytime bulbs - especially in these low-light winter days. Great modification.

[njoconnor]

Thanks, Alan, Brad.

Drove the car across the lawns and into the back yard garage this evening. First time "driving" with the new headlamps. Wow. Whole yard lit up, but a nice sharp cutoff at the top. Definitely worth the time, money, and effort. Thanks once again, A/R!

And, yeah, Alan, I think I found the next project. While routing the new relay wires, found myself looking at the questionable windshield washer pump (I have the external pump). And I recalled seeing a broken Y fitting in the washer lines when I pulled the cowl for cleaning last fall. So, come spring, I suspect I'l be re-furbishing the washer system. Alwayd something to tweak, isn't there?

Neil

[vandor]

I put 21 Watt bulbs (normally used for turn signal and brake lights) in the front running lights of my Spider, so I can use them a DRL. However now I just turn my headlights on during the day, as they are much more visible.

[njoconnor]

I toyed with the idea of the city bulbs as DRL's, but even with LED's, they seem a tad too dim. Probably use them as intended, when parking, or in those dusky light levels in late summer on urban streets. Otherwise, the H4's are on, just like a motorcycle. Buncha watts to keep the inattentive SUV's off the sheet metal!

Could not have done it without your help, Csaba. Thanks!

Neil