low beams on in high beam mode?

[andre@mk1scirocco.com (Andre Bjorkheim)]

Thats another reason you should be relaying headlights.  You can only be
as powerful as your weakest link in the circuit, which includes ground
wires.  When I relay, I go as far as to do away with the factory method
of grounding (especially on the Mk2 where the ground wire goes back
through the loom and grounds inside the cabin, or so I believe) where
they mate the highbeam ground wire on the lowbeam connector.  Instead, I
have individual grounds for the H4/H1 (or H4/H3 depending on your
vehicle) grounded to the chassis on the bumper horn using 14 gauge wire.
I believe anything larger for individual circuits is just plain overkill
and isn't necessary.  

I'm glad you brought up the ground wire issue, especially seeing as how
the factory method uses the same ground wire for the high and lowbeam. 
Without relays, the power to the headlight switch will be taxed if you
have both lows and your highs on simultaneously, but so will your ground
circuits.  Just another reason to 'properly' relay them lights!  Here
are a few examples (I dont necessarily agree with either procedure, but
they certainly work)

 http://scirocco.dyndns.org/tech/16v/eurolights/

 http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/how_to/relays/


Andre'
Lime Green 79
Kirkland WA
ICQ #76283458
http://mk1scirocco.com


Larry wrote:
> 
> Andre makes some salient points and gives good information.
>  The only thing that really concerns me on this is having a big enough
> ground 'wire' on each bulb....it's going to carry some significant current.
> 
> Larry  sandiego16V
> 
> > Jason Adams wrote:
> > >
> > > So are you guys talking about having both filiments in the H4 bulb
> > > illuminated at the same time?
> >
> >
> >     A-yup!
> >
> >
> > > I would hae thought you would burn the bulbs out real fast???
> >
> >
> >     I've had one bulb over the years that needed to be prodded to get
> > the low beam to turn on.  Whether or not this mod caused that I can't
> > say for sure, but its certainly possible.  Never had a bulb completely
> > die on me tho.  I also dont leave my highbeams on while not driving, nor
> > do I leave them on for long periods of time.  Where I live I'd be lucky
> > to have them on for more than a minute without encountering oncoming
> > traffic.
> >
> >
> > > This is not the case? If it can be done, then I want to do it too...
> >
> >
> >     I wouldln't do this mod without relays and also I recommend having
> > some name brand E-codes (Hella, Cibie, Bosch).  Not sure how the regular
> > sealed beams would be, but whatever you do, stay away from any
> > aftermarket housings that use plastic for their backing.
> >
> >  http://mk1scirocco.com/lowhigh.htm
> >
> > Andre'
> > Lime Green 79
> > Kirkland WA
> > ICQ #76283458
> > http://mk1scirocco.com
> >
> >
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> >