5KTQ Headlight Wiring

[Livolsi, Stephane]

I am not quite positive on the details but this might lead to shorter bulb
life.  I imagine the headlamps are rated 12V but if you get the power from
the alternator you will be getting more than that, all the time (isn't it
13.5 or 14 V output at the alternator?)  I think the underhood battery
terminal is also unregulated, isn't it?


Stephane
> ----------
> From: 	Ameer Antar[SMTP:ameer at snet.net]
> Sent: 	November 6, 2000 9:16 AM
> To: 	Jack Gagnon
> Cc: 	quattro at audifans.com
> Subject: 	Re: 5ktq Headlight Wiring
> 
> At 06:28 AM 11/6/00, you wrote:
> >I just converted my 87 5ktq to the older quad headlight set-up in an
> attempt
> >to get decent lighting.
> >
> >I temporarily put in some over the shelf Sylvania cool blues that are
> much
> >better than the stock aero lights, but I am going to get some Hella H4's
> >with 50/100 bulbs.
> >
> >Does anyone know if I need to install relays and heavier wire for this
> >combo?  I would assume so.  I think I need new plugs also since the Audi
> >ones are pretty wimpy.
> 
> I also upgraded my quad lights, but as long as the wires for the plugs are
> 
> short, you'll be ok. In truth current capacity doesn't only depend on wire
> 
> gage, length is just as important. A 20 gage wire can handle maybe 100A if
> 
> it's a foot long, but after 10ft, it cannot handle much more than a few 
> amps. So keep the plug wires short, and splice them into 16-14 ga. wire to
> 
> connect to the relays.
> 
> 
> >I was thinking that I could tap the jump start wire located near the air
> box
> >and use the existing headlight wiring to activate the relay.
> >
> >Does anyone have a recommended setup for this?  I need to know where to
> get
> >the relays, how many are needed, wire size and where to buy the plugs.
> 
> 
> I actually got power for the lights directly from the alternator w/ an 
> inline fuse. Either way is fine, but it was just easier for me, cuz all I 
> needed was a ring term. to connect to the alt. output post. I used 4 
> relays...one for each bulb. It's not necessary unless you use high power 
> bulbs, b/c the left and right headlights always need to be on at the same 
> time. But if you use 2 bulbs on one relay, it must be able to handle the 
> bulb current *2 which could be ~20A for 2 100W bulbs.
> 
> I think the key to good lighting is a good lens w/ a decent pattern, and 
> decent bulbs. Hella is a decent choice for both bulb and lens. High
> wattage 
> bulbs offer more light, but aren't really necessary if you have a good 
> pattern. good luck.
> 
> -ameer
>