Alternator and more powerful H/lighting

[volAlex]

The 480 ES non turbo from 1995 my mother drives has been a very nice car for her, but a lot of brake downs and AAA calls do to electrical problems .
She had a new alternator installed seven months ago, and then new battery cables. But this week she had two breakdowns . And in treacherous winding dark roads at night . The alternator seems to be the problem according to the servicemen. He said the alternator wasn't ''firing properly'' . This I hope will be corrected this week . But I have a question, is it possible to put some extra external lighting for nighttime penetration on roads that have no lights way up in the country winding roads in the dark may require better lights .
Does anyone recommend a set of accessory lights for the front of the Volvo 480 that would be very effective in penetrating in distance, dark winding roads at night.
Would this tax the already slightly wacky electronics of the 480.

Thanks
Alex B

[Anadinolin]

My thoughts would be with the altenator relay if shes had a new altenator and its still playing up.

Do you know what happened during the breakdown? Did the car loose electrical power or did the engine die out but lights where still on?

[doingitsideways]

Holy cr@p, even more lights??

My 480 has dipped headlights, main beam, fog lights AND auxiliary driving lights that come on with the main beam via the little switch above the cubby hole in the centre console.

I think it would be visible from space with them all on!

Good quality bulbs like Nightbreakers do make a marked improvement though

Steve

[volAlex]

Originally Posted by Anadinolin

My thoughts would be with the altenator relay if shes had a new altenator and its still playing up.

Do you know what happened during the breakdown? Did the car loose electrical power or did the engine die out but lights where still on?

Impression is thatThe engine died and the lights were dimming as she drove and the car was not able to be started. And a service truck was necessary . The same thing happened the next day. Alternator seems to be working somewhat but not a full capacity . According To the servicemen .
what wouldThe problems look like ,if it were an alternator relay ?

thanks

[doingitsideways]

Just a thought:

Does the battery light illuminate with ignition on?

If not and the bulb has blown, this is known to knock out the charging curcuit as the alternator doesn't become "agitated"

There should be three cables connected at the alternator too, one of these is for the light.

Steve

[volAlex]

Originally Posted by doingitsideways

Just a thought:

Does the battery light illuminate with ignition on?

If not and the bulb has blown, this is known to knock out the charging curcuit as the alternator doesn't become "agitated"

There should be three cables connected at the alternator too, one of these is for the light.

Steve

Thanks Steve ,
For all your kind input .
I'll look into these matters, or listen to them, since I'll be doing so from new york city . You know , just across the pond .
Hopefully the mechanic will find the problem .
One of the really old cars I've owned, was a 1952 Chrysler Windsor in 2004. all the wiring that was original,( good heavy wire ) operated perfectly . The wiring being so old that the casing in many places had come off .But that old car, all original, wearing her tired faded paint, failed only once . It was due to one of the only new parts she had on her . An after market regulator . When I opened up the regulator it was as clean as whistle but even less useful. I was driving home at night on a freeway at 60 MPH, when she began to shut down . Engine , lights, cigarette lighter, heater , everything .My first thought was , Ive killed her ( over 50 years old , and not rebuilt ) . I called AAA and waited ....., 20 minutes latter I got her started, and drove home without the lights on .

Alex