QUOTE(rgalla9146 @ Aug 10 2017, 07:27 AM)
correct about current draw....add relays
Also check out Daniel Stern's site as recommended above. Here's a link:
https://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.htmlAn excerpt:
"Headlamp bulb light output is severely compromised with decreased voltage . . . ." If bulb output is 100% at 13.2v, then ". . . when operating voltage drops to 95 percent (12.54v), headlamp bulbs produce only 83 percent of their rated light output. When voltage drops to 90 percent (11.88v), bulb output is only 67 percent of what it should be. And when voltage drops to 85 percent (11.22v), bulb output is a paltry 53 percent of normal! It is much more common than you might think for factory headlamp wiring/switch setups to produce this kind of voltage drop, especially once they're no longer brand new and the connections have accumulated some corrosion and dirt."
Using his info and your operating voltage (11.7 volts), you're only seeing around 60% of your spec'd light output (55 watt low beam x 0.60 = 33 watts).
He has lots of good info there, including a discussion on the relationship between "resistance" (like in dirty/old/bad connections) and heat (fried switches/wiring/relays).
Hope this helps!
Steve A-
BTW, those are GREAT headlights (nice car too)!