Anyone else run higher wattage headlights?

[rficalora]

My headlights weren't very good, so I tried replacing the bulbs with 100/90 bulbs.  I had relays already and since Moss sells a relay kit and higher watt rated bulbs, I figured the wire in the buckets was gauged acceptably (although I didn't check).  Anyway, after a fee years now my headlights were fogged up, yellowing and the reflectors were dingy and tarnished so I decided to replace rather than use one of those polishing kits.  Glad I did as this is what I found when I took them out...  I've gone back to 60/55's in the new headlights till I find out if the sockets I got can handle the heat from brighter bulbs!

[74ls1tr6]

Hey Rob,

Were those new head light connectors?  Looks like they got very hot. Do you have anything between the connection and the bulb, like a thick rubber boot used like a barrier for the heat your bulbs put out? I remember I had some Marshall head lights that had a convex mirror inside. On the back where the connector would attach, it had this thick boot around the back of the bulb.

[Orange Alpine]

I went the other way.  LED's.  Here is a pic.  Guess which light is the H24.

http://www.sunbeamalpine.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22275&page=2

Hate to link to another forum, but that is the only way I can see the pic!  When I go directly to Photobucket, can't find it.

They are pricey, but if your looking for visibility, damned hard to beat and legal!

Bill

[rficalora]

The connectors were the originals from '76 (one of the  few actual OEM parts left on my car).  They are now the new connectors that came with my wiring harness.  The headlights had a rubber boot (as do the new ones), but they're just designed to keep moisture out and are open where the plug connects.

[40indianss]

amazon has ceramic connectors with an insulator boot surround  down side is they come with 14 or 16 gauge wire to the female connectors so one should upgrade to 12 gauge from relay to socket  that should eliminate the meltdown issue  less than $10 for two if I remember correctly and appear to be good quality as I bought multiple sets for several projects