Decided to run 4 driving lamps instead of 2 driving lamps and 2 fog lamps.
I have been able to collect 4 hella 6 inch lamps which have different watt globes 100 watt x2 and 55 watt x2.
My question is what wattage globes should l run 55 or 100 ? l feel 50 watt is sufficient
l am using a nissan pulsar alternator and the lights will be working through relays

Add up all the power being consumed in watts, divide by 12 and you have an answer in amps. Does this exceed the alternators capacity? I think it would go close. If it does not you can use the present globes and if it does you will have to put replace the 100's with 55's. Personally I wouldn't use less than 100's, I would find a bigger alternator. The reason for that is I am an old fart and us oldies lose the ability to absorb light by a huge amount. In other words we need brighter lights than you youngsters. Bugger the oncoming traffic.

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Chris

Everything I like is either
illegal, immoral or fattening.

Clean your windscrean also Chris

I would also use 100 just make sure they are postioned correctly.
You use to be able to get Aircraft Landing lights..Where are they now

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

I'd go 100's as well - up the alternator to cope.
I will be getting a combo of 2 driving lights for a nice wide spread of light at short range [> 100m] and a pair of pencil spots to fire straight up the road for a couple of K's

Don't forget to allow for the elecie requirements of the rest of the vehicle when working out your amperage - [sound systems can be quite a drain as well]

Cheers Dat

The nissan alternator kicks out 70 amps ,so l will try the 100 watt globes. Using the table conversion the alternator can handle it . As l have owned minis off and on since the early 70s Chris has a good point about the need for increased light as l am no spring chicken myself.
cheers chasg

will a standard clubman alternator cope with a couple of 55w driving lights?

Yes, no problem.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Chris what bracket/brackets are you using to mount your lights? Apparently there is a four light bracket that fits and bolts in behind the grill so you dont have to screw the lights into the bumper or the body itself but I havent seen on yet. What are you using..?

I haven't even begun to build my van yet. I will build a bar behind the grill with Tabs going through it I hope. Mount it as stiffly as possible using heavy material. Vibration kills globes and is very annoying. In my case no standard bar would be of any use as I am going to mount two Super oscars and two Hella 1357's on it all of which are 7'. I haven't measured the space between the headlights so I hope there is enough.

_________________
Chris

Everything I like is either
illegal, immoral or fattening.

Installed the 4 driving lights on the weekend.
Used a dual light relay. Wired the 2 outer lights to one relay and the inner 2 to the other relay. Lights are activated from the high beam switch which inturn is run off a dual relay for the normal high/low beam.
Wired it this way because if at a later date l decide to run 2 fog lights and 2 driving lights
l only have to disconnect the high beam activation wire from the relay that is to run the fog lights and put in a manual live switch instead.

In NSW the lights have to switch off when the headlights are dipped. They also have to be able to be switched off entirely. I wire them with a two way switch so I can turn the headlights off when aiming them and then turn the driving lights on. It just needs another wire across the switchfrom a power source.

_________________
Chris

Everything I like is either
illegal, immoral or fattening.