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Old 09-03-2020, 07:09 PM
devauxmidwest's Avatar
devauxmidwest devauxmidwest is offline
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Default 67 Grand Prix Hideaway Actuator Conversion from Vacuum to Electric... Diode Question

I'm converting the hideaway headlight actuator on my 67GP from vacuum to electric. I want the actuator to turn on when I pull out the headlight switch and to turn off when the switch is pushed in.
I replaced the actuator and wired the actuator switch to the low beam 12v wire. The lights open great but close when the high beams are turned on. I looked at the wiring diagram and found that the there are two distinct circuits that power the headlamps. One turns on just the low beams and the other turns on the low/high beams.
I need constant 12 volts to the actuator from the time I turn on the low beam, and select high beams until I turn off the light switch.
I'm considering keeping the electric actuator hooked up to the low beam circuit (which goes to 0 volts when the high beams are turned on) and running a diode between the 12 volt low beam only terminal and the 12 volt high beam terminal so that there will always be 12 volts applied to the actuator when high beams are selected..
What kind of diode should I be looking for? I figure a 12 volt 20 amp diode for the job. Will I need a diode with a heat sync? Zener diode? Are there automotive application diodes that I should look for?

Thanks in advance.

  #2  
Old 09-03-2020, 07:51 PM
Bill Hanlon's Avatar
Bill Hanlon Bill Hanlon is offline
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Easy fix is to move the wire to the input terminal on the dimmer switch. That will have power any time either high or low beams are on. Probably easier to get to that the other end of that same wire at the headlight switch. And it will save you the cost of two diodes.

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  #3  
Old 09-03-2020, 08:04 PM
devauxmidwest's Avatar
devauxmidwest devauxmidwest is offline
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Thanks Bill. Great suggestion!

  #4  
Old 09-06-2020, 04:30 PM
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blue67gtoragtop blue67gtoragtop is offline
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What actuator did you use? I have a 69 Caprice that has hideaway headlights and may want to convert from vacuum one day. Any photos you can share? TIA

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