In reply to a message from Roger Payne sent Wed 3 Oct 2007:
Yes, definitely fit a relay (or rather a dual relay) if you
install halogens. The current may not be a big issue and can
easily be calculated, but the bigger problem is the way the
current starts. Conventional bulbs ‘‘light up’’ slowly (I love
the way they look! 
but halogens light up immediately
causing a peak once they are switched on. This can easily
burn your dip switch or main headlight switch.
Ask me how I know? I did this for my E-type 10 years ago
when I could not get it registered in here with the sealed
beams, sure I got more light, but then I had to return to
the garage one night in October without any lights (!) of
course I ran into (well not literally, but anyway) a police
patrol just one block before my garage. Luckily they
understood why I would not want to just leave the car parked
on the street and told me to be extra careful! Like as if I
wouldn’t have been otherwise…
Cheers,
Pekka T.
PS. I am planing on using ‘‘old’’ lights on the MK5 however.
Just for looks!–
The original message included these comments:
I remember a discussion on another ‘‘old cars’’ mailing list, with
concerns
raised about the higher current drawn by halogens, and also (but I
cannot
find that specific post anymore) about a sudden and brief peak when
turned
on which can possibly affect the original circuit…
I am not planning on installing a completely new wiring harness (not
unless
absolutely necessary, that is), but maybe I should plan on using
‘‘fatter’’
–
MK 5 3.5L DHC, E-type 2+2 Ser.1, XJ6C Manual, XJ8 Executive
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