06-05-2018, 08:18 AM
(05-05-2018, 07:17 PM)David Cochrane Wrote: Please note that the dynamo does NOT have to 'keep up with' the drain to the headlamps. The battery will supply the deficit. Unless you are commuting in the winter or doing an all-night rally, a discharge during the run back from the pub (or whatever) should be easily handled by the battery, assuming that your battery is in reasonable nick and charged to start with. The seeming general inability to grasp this point has led to a lot of needless worry and the introduction of alternators, which are (for most purposes) a pointless waste of money and effort.
36/36W bulbs are fine. LED headlamp bulbs tend not to give a decent beam when fitted to pre-war reflectors. Important points are to ensure a decent return wire from as close to the bulb as you can get (don't rely on earth return) and to take the high current away from the c.85-year-old contacts in your switch-panel. These are probably getting pretty tired by now, so will welcome the assistance of relays; these are cheap to buy and simple to wire in.
Hearty agreement - most important thing is to make sure the physical wiring is up to the job.