US Ellipsoid Relay Harness Upgrade

[gilber33]

I know this is done on other older cars, but has anyone done this to an e30? Basically create a relayed harness that gets its power directly from the battery to power the headlight bulbs and uses the existing headlight connectors as the switch for the relay?

I need to improve the light output on the Ellipsoids (doing HIDs in the stock projectors is not an option and seems Squared Motorwerks is no longer making the adapters) and I haven't seen anyone do this. I'm planning on this with oem bmw HIR bulbs.

[Vincenze]

The electrical system already has relays.

K3 High beam relay
K4 Low beam relay
K8 Fog light relay

[gilber33]

The electrical system already has relays.

K3 High beam relay
K4 Low beam relay
K8 Fog light relay

I know the headlight circuit already has relays. What I'm talking about is giving the headlights power directly from the battery (via a harness with a relay in it so they don't have constant power) and using the factory headlight connectors as the switches. As seen below. The idea is it reduces voltage drop from the factory wiring and you use new, larger wire, and ultimately should have better lights.

[Northern]

What are you running that needs more current than a 55W halogen bulb?
If you have measured voltage drop at the headlight connector, something else is probably wrong.