Headlamps Insufficient

[Ken Sair]

I had been complaining to Monaco since delivery of our 2007 Beaver Contessa about the pitiful amount of lighting produced by my headlamps. Enough so that we avoided driving at night because it was unsafe to do so. There answer was, everything is OK. Well, in a casual conversation with Lamar Keck at the balloon fest last October, he relayed that he had a similar problem and it was fixed by Roy Mueller. The fix was installing some 'reducers', I believe is the term. Anyway, I asked Roy to take a look at mine.

Sure enough, I was receiving 8volts to the low beams and 9 volts to the high beams. I may as well have stuck a flashlight out the window when driving at night.

Roy ran a jump wire to a 12 volt source and 'Holy Cow', did I now have some bright headlamps. The difference was incredible. Roy then ran new wires to the headlamps through two reducers (believe that's the term). Turned them on last night after dark. I can barely describe the difference. Another friend here in Quartzite with the identical coach wanted to see my 'new' lights. We looked at his and then mine. Mine were a full 50% brighter.


If you think your headlamps are not putting out enough light, you too may have low voltage at the headlamps.

A huge thank you to Roy Mueller!!!!!

ken Sair 2007 Contessa

[LarryNCarolynShirk]

The term you were trying to recall is "relay"

Larry

[Jim Nichols]

Ken your great to work with. Thank for your patience.

[Keith Moffett]

We have the same problem.  I have changed out the headlights and checked the wiring to no avail.  I would be interested in hearing more.

[Gil_Johnson]

My 08 has factory installed headlight relays.  I would have thought the 08 and 07 wiring would be the same--I guess not.  I have a similar problem with my large awning.  I know the wire is undersized.  I'm trying figure out where the awning power comes from.

As I've said before, headlight relays have been used in the automotive industry almost forever.  That makes it hard to understand why Monaco would not have used headlight relays.

[Jim Nichols]

I think because they are only warranted for 12 months, Monaco had everything to gain.  I think the bean counters didn't want them to invest any more money into the design and build.  You know what's happening to the price of copper wire, so I think that's why they take the short cut and the easy way to build.

[Ken Sair]

Thanks Larry, I knew someone would understand what I was saying. And a big thanks to Jim, Ann apprecieates your patience with me.  

Keith, here is what I know. The relay has 4 connections. The rear one went to the good 12V power source, the right one went to a good ground, the front one went out to the headlamps and the left one came in from the headlamps. There are two relays needed, one for the low beams and one for the high beams. Roy used 14 and 16 gage wire I believe. This is beyond my abilities but Jim and Gerald can provide more details. I do know that the change is easier on older coaches than the newer multi-plex wiring systems. The amount of light produced is incredible to say the least.

Ken 2007 Contessa

[Keith Moffett]

What type of relays are we talking here?  Aparently not replacing the headlight relay in the wiring bay?

[Gil_Johnson]

I have an 08 Contessa and it has a headlight relay that is triggered by the headlight switch.  The only switch on the high current side of the relay is the one for hi or lo beam.  The high current side is fused at 20A.  Personally, I would have installed two relays, one for hi and one for low so I could contain the high current wiring to only the area near the headlights.  I confirmed this on Monaco's wiring diagram dated Jan 08.  There is also another headlight relay to control day time running lights.  The high current side is fused at 15A.

What I haven't confirmed is the gauge of wiring used, although it should be capable of carrying at least the current of the fuse, which is 20A.

[Ken Sair]

Yes Keith, I believe that to be the case. All the in/out ground/power wires now come in/out of the new relay which is mounted on the wall. We have passed my knowledge here. Maybe someone else will chime in with more information than I know.

Ken 2007 Contessa

[JimDyer]

If you go to danielsternlighting.com there is a good explanation and circuit diagram.

[Jerry Carr]

Great Job on the video Bill and Roy,

Roy did my lights while at Las Vegas.  We did see the impact of the extra power at the lights, although we didn't run at night on the return home, we did run with lights on most of the way.  We had no problem with the new circuit, and I again would like to thank Roy for his help!

Bill the video will be a great help!

FYI I plan to update my supplemental air compressor with the same type of modification.  I will run a new circuit directly from the Battery with a 12 gage wire and a 20 amp in line fuse to the relay.  The relay will then supply the power to a new sealed air compressor, unlike the unit that Monaco used, with an open winding.  The wire modification is basically the same as done by Roy.