RE: 82 Spider - Headlight Buzzer?

[Scott Fisher <sfisher71@domain.elided>]

--- Brian Shorey <bshorey@domain.elided> wrote:
> > No headlight buzzer on my '82 Spider.  I wish it
> had one... or
> > better yet, turned off with the ignition.
> 
> Install relays.

Since I recently moved to an area of the world that
has little or no ambient light (well, apart from the
Christmas decorations!), I've been researching ways to
increase the effectiveness of the lights on all my
cars, with the '74 Spider at the top of the list. 
Relays (allowing heavier-gauge wiring, allowing in
turn more voltage at the lamp itself) are part of the
solution I'm looking at.

I'm just about ready to make a few purchases from
Daniel Stern, based on the info on this Web site:

http://lighting.mbz.org/

Among other things, the site has specific diagrams for
wiring up relays, and he sells both relays and
high-output European-spec headlamps. 

Because I live in Oregon, which in many pleasant ways
seems to be less brain-dead in its automotive
regulations than many if not most other states in the
Union, Euro-code headlights appear to be legal here,
so I don't have to worry about jackbooted thugs
confiscating my Carello or Hella or Cibie headlamps
after I get them installed.  Such lights may not be
legal in the state (or Commonwealth, in Brian Shorey's
case) where you live.

As an added benefit for Alfa owners, I recall our
beloved Fred Di Matteo mentioning that relaying the
headlamp circuit also adds years to the life of the
headlamp switch, because you only run a very light
current load through the switch itself, just enough to
throw the relay.  The relay (and 10-12ga wire) drives
the high-load circuit to the lamps themselves.  

I would be interested in suggestions, experiences, or
cautions from any who have made similar mods.  And, of
course, I'd be grateful for a source to purchase
Carello-made H1/H4 7" bulbs (not listed on Daniel's
Web site) -- I mean, I can swallow my pride and
install Cibie or Hella bulbs on the Spider, but
there's a certain aesthetic purity in staying with the
Italian name...

Best,

--Scott Fisher
  in the wilds of darkest (literally) Tualatin, Oregon
  1974 Spider
  + a bunch of things from the other side of the Alps
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