Re: Lighting questions

["scott miller" <macatawa@hotmail.com>]

>
>Scott, IME, stock wiring is simply not heavy enough to carry such loads 
for
>any length of time

Why?  I've followed threads endlessly, downloaded proposed wiring 
diagrams from other sites, but never seen an analysis of stock wiring.  
My high beams are powered from the wimpy switch by one 12 Ga. wire, then 
two fuses feed two 14 Ga. wires that go to the bulbs, then two 14 Ga. 
wires to ground.  I'm on the road and can't look this up, but I believe 
14 Ga. wires are rated for 15 amp applications (?).  That's about 200 
watts at normal alternator voltage per wire, plus an unknown safety 
factor (usually pretty high for automotive).  That rating also takes 
into account momentary spikes.  Hella cites up to ten times the power 
rating for their bulbs on start up, other applications may draw even 
more, and the wires are rated for those normal applications.  What about 
the connections?  These same connectors are used for much higher loads 
elsewhere.  I agree there are line losses, after ten feet of wire you 
should jump to the next Ga. wire, and I'm close to ten feet.  My bulbs 
may run a little cooler and last a lot longer.

How much difference does heavier wiring make in headlight performance?  
No one has cited any measurements, just subjective opinions.  I spent a 
lot of years making automotive and electronic optics, I saw a lot of 
production and maintenance workers try to fix problems with the product, 
and convince themselves they saw an improvement without measuring it.  
It's easy to do, I've done it.  I usually got called by QC at 2:00am to 
resolve the problem and help throw away several hours of bad product.  
What's a small increase in headlight brightness worth?  In low-vis, poor 
optics will throw even more blinding light where you don't need it and 
make your fog lights even less helpful.  If you have good optics, you 
don't need an incremental increase in brightness.

I'm not an EE, I really don't understand electrons as well as I should.  
I appreciate the dire warnings and many other tips, and I'll appreciate 
anyone telling me why I'm wrong and saving me a whole lot of trouble and 
$.  Luckily I usually wear nomex for my 400 mile weekly commute, maybe I 
need to move my fire extinguisher out of the trunk?

Scott
'90 200tqw

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