high beams and low beams at the same time
07-21-2015, 10:41 AM
#11
Senior Member
You can do this by tying the low beam circuit to the high beam circuit using a diode right at the headlight. You have to make sure to get a diode that's rated to handle the current draw of the low beam bulb. Is the bulb in the low beam projector 55 watt? You'd need a 5A diode for that bulb size (it'll draw a little over 4 amps.)
The next thing to consider is what the high beam circuit is rated to carry. You'll be adding roughly 9 amps to the circuit (4+ amps from each headlight) and you have the actual high beam bulbs which will draw another 9 amps if they're 55 watt. That's around 18 amps of current on the high beam circuit. If there's a 20 amp fuse installed from Ford, then this application will no overstress the wiring on the circuit. If there's a 15 amp fuse installed, this application will have too much current.
Something to consider is the fact that it takes all four of those bulbs to get anywhere near the same current draw and most likely light output as just the two high beam filaments in the OEM lights that you replaced. Will all four bulbs in the aftermarket lights be better than just two, definitely. Will it provide as much light as you're hoping for, probably not. I'd consider a new set of headlights altogether or adding more auxiliary lighting if you have your heart set on keeping those headlights. If you're driving in the dark all of the time you need to think about what's really important to you...seeing at night, or having a few nice looking accent lights. I'm not trying to preach, I just learned from experience several years ago that this style of light just isn't up to snuff when it comes to visible light.
The next thing to consider is what the high beam circuit is rated to carry. You'll be adding roughly 9 amps to the circuit (4+ amps from each headlight) and you have the actual high beam bulbs which will draw another 9 amps if they're 55 watt. That's around 18 amps of current on the high beam circuit. If there's a 20 amp fuse installed from Ford, then this application will no overstress the wiring on the circuit. If there's a 15 amp fuse installed, this application will have too much current.
Something to consider is the fact that it takes all four of those bulbs to get anywhere near the same current draw and most likely light output as just the two high beam filaments in the OEM lights that you replaced. Will all four bulbs in the aftermarket lights be better than just two, definitely. Will it provide as much light as you're hoping for, probably not. I'd consider a new set of headlights altogether or adding more auxiliary lighting if you have your heart set on keeping those headlights. If you're driving in the dark all of the time you need to think about what's really important to you...seeing at night, or having a few nice looking accent lights. I'm not trying to preach, I just learned from experience several years ago that this style of light just isn't up to snuff when it comes to visible light.
