Headlamp relay updrade/mod
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Re: Headlamp relay updrade/mod
I would say 20 - 25 years ago the general standard of parts was pretty high. There seemed to be fewer manufacturers and most that made automotive parts made for the car manufacturers themselves so were required to uphold quality. Since then we seem to have opened the flood gates to cheap Eastern block and Chinese imports that just don't have the same quality control.
You really do have to buy on brand when it comes to parts now....I should have known better.
Martin.
You really do have to buy on brand when it comes to parts now....I should have known better.
Martin.
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- lloydy
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Re: Headlamp relay updrade/mod
I've used some ebay 40 amp relays on mine, could be best to change over to some 53s then?
What problem did you get Martin?
What problem did you get Martin?
Time is a drug. Too much of it kills you
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Re: Headlamp relay updrade/mod
I wouldn't worry mate....in the 6 months since I fitted mine the full beam stuck on about 3 times (going from full back to dip beam it remained on full beam and required a couple of dip/full operations to go back to dip) To be honest, the first time it did it was a couple of days after I'd upgraded so if yours have been fault free I wouldn't bother.
It really wasn't a biggie, I just aquired a better quality relay so thought I'd spend 15 minutes swapping it over.
There are some new/ better quality brands out there like Durite, Nagares, Tyco, Ripaults for anyone wanting to do this and then of course used VW/Audi etc.
Martin
It really wasn't a biggie, I just aquired a better quality relay so thought I'd spend 15 minutes swapping it over.
There are some new/ better quality brands out there like Durite, Nagares, Tyco, Ripaults for anyone wanting to do this and then of course used VW/Audi etc.
Martin
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Re: Headlamp relay updrade/mod
VW 53 relay is rated 40A, usually made by Bosch or Hella,in Germany. 'nuff said..
Got a few here if you're struggling.
Got a few here if you're struggling.
Syncrosport (taking a break as of summer 2024)
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252 GC5 EJ25 AAN L90D
Volkswagen Transporter, reloaded.
252 GC5 EJ25 AAN L90D
- lloydy
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Re: Headlamp relay updrade/mod
thanks both of you, got a couple coming for a £1 each. I'll swap them over and keep mine as spare's. Havent really used the van since ive done the relay upgrade due to breaking the trailing arm bolt. Been doing lots of electrical upgrades in the 3 weeks or so the vans been sitting there. Infact, been testing it so much i managed to flatten the batterysyncroandy wrote:VW 53 relay is rated 40A, usually made by Bosch or Hella,in Germany. 'nuff said..
Got a few here if you're struggling.

Must say though, the lights are SO much brighter!
Time is a drug. Too much of it kills you
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Re: Headlamp relay updrade/mod
Oh no mate...the car manufacturers use ting tongs car parts as well nowadays.....when I started at vw the warranty parts bin was very small and most of the stuff in it was either dodgy claims or stuff that had nowt wrong with it! Different story these days....ecus and gearboxes virtually never failed in the late 80s and 90s...common everyday occurrence now...electronic stuff just goosed all the time, no diagnosis is possible...just fit new blocks of compressed smoke and hope it works is the norm!California Dreamin wrote:I would say 20 - 25 years ago the general standard of parts was pretty high. There seemed to be fewer manufacturers and most that made automotive parts made for the car manufacturers themselves so were required to uphold quality. Since then we seem to have opened the flood gates to cheap Eastern block and Chinese imports that just don't have the same quality control.
You really do have to buy on brand when it comes to parts now....I should have known better.
Martin.
Emissions regs are partly to blame...but so is cost cutting, quality is a thing of the past, a nostalgic memory...
Such a shame...
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Re: Headlamp relay updrade/mod
lloydy wrote:thanks both of you, got a couple coming for a £1 each. I'll swap them over and keep mine as spare's. Havent really used the van since ive done the relay upgrade due to breaking the trailing arm bolt. Been doing lots of electrical upgrades in the 3 weeks or so the vans been sitting there. Infact, been testing it so much i managed to flatten the batterysyncroandy wrote:VW 53 relay is rated 40A, usually made by Bosch or Hella,in Germany. 'nuff said..
Got a few here if you're struggling.to much starting the engine then turning it off.
Must say though, the lights are SO much brighter!
Another member to Champion the light upgrade....I was the same as you Lloydy, Sceptical about how much better the lights would be! gotta be the best £25 and two hours spent on the van.
Martin
Last edited by California Dreamin on 23 Feb 2013, 20:20, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Headlamp relay updrade/mod
What's that you're saying lloydy?
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Re: Headlamp relay updrade/mod
Heh, martins edited it. He called me Rob, now it says lloydy and I look crazy!
Time is a drug. Too much of it kills you
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Re: Headlamp relay updrade/mod
Sorry mate....don't know what i was thinking....lol.
Martin
Martin
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Re: Headlamp relay updrade/mod
@ California Dreamin, thanks a million for the pics. They really simplify things and make the job so much easier for those of us with less experience. Looking forward to doing mine now that I have my maestro headlamps. I couldn't believe how difficult it was to acquire a n/s lamp - tonnes of o/s lamps!!! Thanks again, Mitch.
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?
'89 panel van, 1.9 DG.
'89 panel van, 1.9 DG.
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Re: Headlamp relay updrade/mod
I take it that Maestro headlamps use just one H4 Halogen bulb each side?......so specs could be downgraded slightly.....you will only need two standard 30 amp relays (one for dip one for full) as there will be a maximum of 10 amps flowing. Also, the two main feed wires will only need to be 3.00mm2 (27.5amp)
Fuse both circuits at 15 or 20amps....
Obviously a 4 headlamp T25 has 230 watts of light when full beam is used so 20 amps flowing..thats why yours (120 watts on full beam) doesn't need as heavy wiring and relays.
Martin
Fuse both circuits at 15 or 20amps....
Obviously a 4 headlamp T25 has 230 watts of light when full beam is used so 20 amps flowing..thats why yours (120 watts on full beam) doesn't need as heavy wiring and relays.
Martin
1989 California 2.1MV
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Re: Headlamp relay updrade/mod
But i like a simple life and as there is already a shopping list for the bits, i'd like to follow it rather than nag for an updated 'maestro' version!!! This shouldn't pose any problems - should it?
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?
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Re: Headlamp relay updrade/mod
No mate...no issues at all, just the components and wiring would be a few quid cheaper.
Don't forget the bulbs....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OSRAM-Night-B ... 588fba32e3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Martin
Don't forget the bulbs....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OSRAM-Night-B ... 588fba32e3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Martin
1989 California 2.1MV