Head Light Harness upgrade

[burt ragio]

Has anyone tried this headlamp wire harness ? It upgrades light out put. By
Consult Daniel Stern Lighting ? The cost reflects quality of parts & spific made. [tech@danielsternlighting.com]
Quote" My harness builder can custom build you a ready-to-install
headlamp harness with heavy-gauge, low-loss wiring and
relays. Cost for this is $161.49. It costs more than the $40
to $90 cheapy prefab harnesses because it is not a cheapy
prefab harness. Installation is simple: you (or your
mechanic) will need to run the marked wires to battery
positive and to battery negative, snap the harness plug onto
one of the vehicle's original headlamp sockets, snap the
harness sockets onto the headlamps, and secure the cable
runs and relays neatly out of harm's way. The in-car
switches continue working normally, and you will not need to
cut or otherwise disturb any of the vehicle's original wires".

[92BlackGT]

that's basically what i have but i didn't spend $161!! it's just some wiring, 2 relays and a connector. to fit the marauder headlights properly, you'll need to either cut your stock body side headlight connectors off and splice them onto the new relay harness or go to a salvage yard and get some from a GM. my voltage went from upper 11 volts to 13.8 volts at the headlight socket. my headlights are way brighter and i don't have to worry about my LCM burning up.

[burt ragio]

What ga. wire did you use ? Where did you tie in the power wire ?

[ctrlraven]

This one is $69.00
http://www.rjminjectiontech.com/products/headlight-harness

[fastblackmerc]

The upgraded harness / relay(s) will help, but an upgrade LCM will do the same thing. Many members have reported brighter lights after the addition of a heavy duty relay to the LCM.

[burt ragio]

What have you found the difference in voltage readings have been at the head light sockets after a LMC upgrade ?

[fastblackmerc]

What have you found the difference in voltage readings have been at the head light sockets after a LMC upgrade ?

No I haven't. Maybe I'll check this weekend.

[92BlackGT]

What ga. wire did you use ? Where did you tie in the power wire ?

i think 12 AWG... or 14

[Embassy]

I recommend BH1976 on CVN. Many including me have purchased his head lamp harness upgrade and are very happy with the results.

I installed one of his on my DD 2004 P71 and am going to get one for the Marauder.

Pics:
http://www.supermotors.net/registry/21173/82157 (http://www.supermotors.net/registry/21173/82157)

[burt ragio]

My guess is all the wire harness about the same wire ga & type with the exception of the relays. Knowing what ones are of better quality would make a huge difference. I wouldn't know how to make the distinction.

[EMAS]

When I make the headlight relay harnesses I use 12ga wire, Bosch branded relays with two 87a terminals, Delphi relay sockets and headlight connectors but I have only made them for my older cars. I always pull the power from the alternator so they get max voltage and it is drawn directly from the source, at least when the engine is running and the alternator charging.

Using relays at the headlights will take the load off of the relay in the LCM making it last longer. It will give you better voltage at the headlights since you can use higher ga wire and the run will be shorter.

I always use a self resetting circuit breaker to protect the new circuits since headlights are mission critical you really don't want to use a fuse.

[lifespeed]

I have dealt with Daniel of Stern Lighting before. He does know his headlights. If you want to upgrade your stock-type halogen bulbs he knows which make and model are the best, how much increased power draw you can get away with on stock or upgraded harness, etc.

That said, if there is somebody on crownvic.net making a good product specifically for our cars, there is no reason not to check into that also. I would check into wire gauge and relay part number first. 12G wire and a high-quality high-current relay will net an improvement.

I agree with EMAS regarding the resettable circuit breaker. Definitely don't install a fat wire direct to the battery/alternator without circuit protection!

[cj7chris]

I have dealt with Daniel of Stern Lighting before. He does know his headlights. If you want to upgrade your stock-type halogen bulbs he knows which make and model are the best, how much increased power draw you can get away with on stock or upgraded harness, etc.

That said, if there is somebody on crownvic.net making a good product specifically for our cars, there is no reason not to check into that also. I would check into wire gauge and relay part number first. 12G wire and a high-quality high-current relay will net an improvement.

I agree with EMAS regarding the resettable circuit breaker. Definitely don't install a fat wire direct to the battery/alternator without circuit protection!


Circuit breaker is a much better idea than a fuse or fusible link. If there is a problem at night, the circuit breaker should let you get home (with flickering lights) so you can fix the problem.