Headlamp H4-Ceramic-Socket with heavier wire

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Pawned

Pawned

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Every H4- headlamp Ceramic-Socket I have found has 18 gauge wire in them.
This is really a kick in the teeth when I added the headlamp relays with much heavier wire (for a lower voltage drop) and then I am forced to connect them to the headlamps into a socket that uses 18 gauge wires.

I am thinking of not using a socket and connecting the wiring directly to the headlamps or need a H4-Ceramic-Socket that has heavier wiring.

I am looking and can not seem to find a socket with heavier wiring.

Any suggestions?
 
With the rear exit on the connector, consider 14 ga GXL or Marine wire. That will provide a smaller bend radius and still have plenty of capacity. Unless of course you are going way overwattage. Then run the calcs.
 
Mattax said:
With the rear exit on the connector, consider 14 ga GXL or Marine wire. That will provide a smaller bend radius and still have plenty of capacity. Unless of course you are going way overwattage. Then run the calcs.
Click to expand...

I already have about 1200 feet of assorted wires that I used to rewire the car. I am not sure if I will use the 14 or 12 gauge. I am leaning towards the 14 gauge
 
j_anderson said:
I am rebuilding my harness and need to order these connectors and terminals. Question.... My factory plugs have two wires connected to each terminal. Do these terminals accept 2 wires? if not, do you know what the type are called? I have standard size 2-wire Packard 56 series female terminals but these are a larger connector
Click to expand...
Good luck. There's no special name. You got to look at the drawings - if you can find them - and sometimes you can figure out if that particular terminal has the wider section for the insulation crimps.
Just for kicks, lets see if Chrysler specifically used a double wide one on the '67 a-body left headlight.
upload_2020-9-7_21-43-44.png

I'd say probably yes.
But other places I'm not so sure they did.

For drawings I've had a little bit of luck with Mouser and similar companies having a link to APTIV/Delphi/Packard pdfs.*
I've also had some luck with smaller specialty companies with real photos of the items they stock.
Over half the time I buy the stuff and then find out the nitty gritty details when they're in my hand and I'm trying to put something together. *
Often I've been able to get two wires side by side on a standard terminal as long as the insulation is not real thick.
This is another advantage of marine wire. Not only it the higher strand count result in a denser conductive core, but the insulation is higher rated than GPT without being thick like GXL and SXL. TXL is probably another option for engine compartment but away from the engine and the insulation is not thick.

*Snip from a crib sheet I made for the Packard 58s in this post
Sources for Chrysler type wire terminals

You could try searching Mouser, Newark, etc for 5/16 female recepticles and terminals. Another option is call around to places like RI Wiring, Bill Evans, and Rob (crackedback) and see if they have what you want.
 
Last edited:
Mattax said:
Good luck. There's no special name. You got to look at the drawings - if you can find them - and sometimes you can figure out if that particular terminal has the wider section for the insulation crimps.
Just for kicks, lets see if Chrysler specifically used a double wide one on the '67 a-body left headlight.
View attachment 1715591749
I'd say probably yes.
But other places I'm not so sure they did.

For drawings I've had a little bit of luck with Mouser and similar companies having a link to APTIV/Delphi/Packard pdfs.*
I've also had some luck with smaller specialty companies with real photos of the items they stock.
Over half the time I buy the stuff and then find out they nitty gritty details when they're in my hand and I'm trying to put something together. *
Often I've been able to get two wires side by side on a standard terminal as long as the insulation is not real thick.
This is another advantage of marine wire. Not only it the higher strand count result in a denser conductive core, but the insulation is higher rated than GPT without being thick like GXL and SXL. TXL is probably another option for engine compartment but away from the engine and the insulation is not thick.

*Snip from a crib sheet I made for the Packard 58s in this post
Sources for Chrysler type wire terminals

You could try searching Mouser, Newark, etc for 5/16 female recepticles and terminals. Another option is call around to places like RI Wiring, Bill Evans, and Rob (crackedback) and see if they have what you want.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info!
 
j_anderson said:
I am rebuilding my harness and need to order these connectors and terminals. Question.... My factory plugs have two wires connected to each terminal. Do these terminals accept 2 wires? if not, do you know what the type are called? I have standard size 2-wire Packard 56 series female terminals but these are a larger connector
Click to expand...

I believe I used 10 gauge on one set but it was a very tight fit to get the spade terminal in the ceramic plug housing. So if you ‘two wires’ combined are a smaller diameter than one 10 gauge I say they will fit.

Why not just use your original two wire to energize the relay and use new 12 or 10 gauge wire to the headlight plugs? Or did I miss-understand your question?
 
Slowswinger said:
Why not just use your original two wire to energize the relay and use new 12 or 10 gauge wire to the headlight plugs? Or did I miss-understand your question?
Click to expand...


I am just rebuilding what is there with one gauge wire size larger. I bought all new wire and terminals and got everything done yesterday except for the headlight connectors since I overlooked the larger terminals when I ordered all my supplies.
 
j_anderson said:
I am just rebuilding what is there with one gauge wire size larger. I bought all new wire and terminals and got everything done yesterday except for the headlight connectors since I overlooked the larger terminals when I ordered all my supplies.
Click to expand...

Those will work great!
 
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