[ophic]

Originally Posted by Baph

Current is actually a flow rate. Nothing more. Think about tidal currents etc. There's a reason they share the same descriptive name. With a tidal current, you have the same volume of water, moving at a different vector (direction and/or speed).

When the engine rev's higher, the alternator puts out a higher voltage, at a higher flow (current).

The regulator then ensures that this increased voltage is reduced to 12v (approx). The current generally isn't reduced by the regulator.

By upgrading bulbs (eg, Osram Nightbreakers as stated), the bulbs are designed to glow brighter. This is accomplished by drawing more current due to lowered resistance in the coil. If the alternator isn't putting out maximum current (for the bulbs) they will be dimmer than they can potentially be. When the current raises (by revving the engine), naturally the bulbs get brighter.

In my case, when I honk the horn, some of that flow (current) is diverted away from the bulbs to the horns. Thus making my bulbs dim. I also have uprated bulbs FWIW.

Further to this, my bulbs get brighter when I rev the engine (I'm talking only the first few thousand RPM, then it's constant). I have tested the rectifier, and alternator. Both are fine the last time I tested them (after approx a year running with this setup).

Sorry this is complete cobblers.