RE: Headlights

[Hirsch <Catenary@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tony Brucia wrote:
> I'm interested in updating my Milano's headlights.
> The recent post re Aotooptiks sounds like a simple
> solution.  However, I have a few questions.
> 1) I would like to go to the higher wattage but I am
> concerned about the relay question.  How can I tell if my
> Milano has the low beam and/or high beam relays?  Mine is
> an '88 version. I understand the recall only installed a
> highbeam relay but that "later" Milano's had low and high
> beam relays. Again, how can I tell?

First of all, I don't know if the later Milanos actually had the relays
installed or if they did, whether the relays were installed in the
same place they were installed in the recall. (As I understand it,
in the recall they were installed behind the little glovebox to the
left of the steering wheel (see "A Note On Milano Lights" by
Herb Bridge in AD7, 210).

Having said that, one should be able to determine empirically
if the relay(s) were installed.

   Circuit without the relay:

   Batt+|----------|switch|----------|bulb|---->Gnd

   Circuit with the relay:

   Batt+|----------|switch|----------|relay|---->Gnd

Since the bulbs draw about 50 watts each, resistance
from the column switch to ground should be < 5 ohm
if there is no raley. If a relay is present, resistance from
the column switch to ground should be appreciably
higher than this, say 20 - 100 ohm.

In making this measurement:
1) Disconnect the battery + terminal before measuring resistance.
2) Turn on the column switch and measure from the column switch
to ground. Measure from the gray wire terminal for low beam and
the green wire for high beam to ground.

> 2)  If I do have the relays, can I still run the hi beams in
> high wattage safely? Is the relay and wire size up to it,
> for example?

The relay installed is probably 15 or 30amp. A 15amp relay should
be good for 90watt bulbs, (15*12/2). A 30amp relay should be good
for 180watt bulbs (gasp!).

In terms of the wire, the Milano wiring diagram shows that 1.5sq mm
(0.00234sq in) is used. I don't seem to have a chart of load
carrying capability. Perhaps another digester can tell us what
load 1.5mm2 wire can safely carry (Chris Brown?).
 =

> 3) If I need to install a relay or relays, how do I do so?

Check out the article on installing a headlight relay in
a Duetto at the website:

   http://www.catenary.com/victor/isaluti

The article is "Lighten the Load on your Alfa's Column Switch."
Select "Feature Stories," "Electrical," and then "Lighten, etc."
The procedure is very similar for the Milano.

Good Luck

Rich Hirsch

Editor, i Saluti, St Louis AROC
Website: http://www.catenary.com/victor/isaluti

------------------------------