Triumph Repair: TR4A Headlights, wiring harnesses, internal regulator

Question
Hi Howard,

Thanks again, your many posts have been very useful to me.

I have a 1966 TR4A.  Can the stock wiring handle 55watt/60watt headlights without relays or heavy duty wiring harnesses?  If it matters, I am running the stock original generator and have not upgraded to an altenator.

Thanks

Bob

Answer
Hi Bob,
The 14ga wire can handle it I believe, but the switches are the weak point and they may be ok, but it can't hurt to wire in relays.

One MG owner found that BLM had decreased the size of the wires on a late model MGs so he was forced to add relays and one large power wire. He said the lights were a lot brighter that way.

As for a generator vs alternator, even if both had the same max output, you will probably find that the alternator will start producing a higher Wattage at a lower RPM than the generator will.
This becomes more important at low speeds on a rainy night when cold because you have everything electrical running.

Other than a show car, I am for the addition of an alternator with an internal regulator.

Howard