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Relays for headlights
Posted: 21 Feb 2008, 17:29
by Ray
I ve got all the bits ready to add relays for the headlights. Where did you sight the relays when you did yours - in the fuse/relay box or behind the lights. Seems easier in the headlight area but perhaps drier inside?
Posted: 21 Feb 2008, 17:46
by Titus A Duxass
Mine (4 off) are directly behind the headlights, masked somewhat by the inner lights.
I have been running the bus daily since they were installed in September and have had no water problems.
Just make sure that you mount the relays securely and put heat shrink over each connection.
Then tie the cables to the body/light mounts to eliminate any cable movement.
Re:Relays for headlights
Posted: 21 Feb 2008, 17:48
by Grun
Ray,
When I first got my van it had been fitted with an 'after market' I think is the expression, upper grill with two extra round headlamps (single filament) that should have worked in the 'full beam' position, but were inoperative.
Investigation found a knackered relay sited behind the grill suffering from the effects of our lovely climate.
Like you and I the relays would prefer to ride inside.
Mike
Posted: 21 Feb 2008, 18:29
by toomanytoys
I bought a square electrical junction box (IP44 spec) and fitted the relays in that behind the headlamps.. just ran power via fuse direct from battery... to the box....
Posted: 21 Feb 2008, 20:50
by Ray
Cheers, thanks for the replies, I'm tempted to mount them in holders behind the light and insulate well.
Posted: 21 Feb 2008, 22:27
by VWlewis
I kept mine inside - close to the fusebox as I didn't change the wires - just cleaned up the connectors and intercepted the wires from the fusebox. I did run a new +ve fused feed from the battery though. I also fitted Philips X-treme bulbs. Very pleased with the outcome
.. see my garage photos - especially this one
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/garage.php? ... ge_id=1339
VW Lewis
Posted: 22 Feb 2008, 21:03
by CovKid
I bought a kind of ballast unit (guess thats what it is) that has two headlight plugs on the output and a headlight socket on the input. Boy it transformed mine! Works a treat and was only £38 from ebay (chinese). Couldn't find one on there tonight but its something like bottom left pic on this page:
http://www.bestforume.com/Catalog.aspx?categoryid=27279
Took at the most 5 mins to fit and now get that white light on the road at night. Mind you, I had to readjust lights afterwards. First time I put them on in my street in the dark, every cat for miles scattered!
Posted: 23 Feb 2008, 14:58
by wasserleaker
Have heard of these gadgets, Covkid, and wondered if they were any good, the square headlights on my van are not brilliant, not helped by being LHD lights, masked to correct them, seems the most usable bit of light is masked off, but RHD replacements are well pricey, so this might be an alternative. will keep an eye on fleabay, seen someof these boosters made in the philipines at 2,999 php, whatever that equates to!

Posted: 23 Feb 2008, 15:29
by VWlewis
CovKid wrote:Took at the most 5 mins to fit and now get that white light on the road at night. Mind you, I had to readjust lights afterwards. First time I put them on in my street in the dark, every cat for miles scattered!
Any chance of putting a pic up here for us to see? .. and the cats on the run
Cheers
VW Lewis
Posted: 23 Feb 2008, 22:07
by CovKid
I've put a link to a pic up (look up) of a similar unit but if you want i'll take a shot of mine in the daylight on Sunday. All I can say is that they do work.
The history of it (from my perspective) is that initially I went and bought a pair of osram silverstar bulbs but barely noticed much difference to be honest then happened to see this 'headlight booster' on ebay one night for £38. They come from the far east (took about 5 days I think). What you get is a single unit, a live feed to it, one single headlamp plug input and two outs. Was easy peasy to connect too.
I'll nip out now and get a night shot for you then grab a pic of the unit in the morning. Deffo double if not more the light output and had no bulbs go yet.
Posted: 23 Feb 2008, 22:35
by CovKid
[img:596:641]
https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/images/Headlightbooster.jpg[/img]
There ya go. I'm not putting them on full in my street as its seriously bright. I only ever use full on dark country lanes - dipped is more than enough just about everywhere. Are they white or are they white??? Note shadows -try that on ordinary bulbs.
If you think aim is too high, its not. What happens is that you get a very strong dividing line between whats lit and what isn't compared to conventional set up and I had to keep bringing the aim down until they were right. I set them so they don't bother oncoming but light up the road in front well. My little 'un loves seeing the lights go on full in the dark - its VERY bright indeed.
Posted: 24 Feb 2008, 13:22
by wasserleaker
Nice one, Covkid!
im happy enough with the separate main beam square lights on mine, but the dipped improvement looks well worth having

Posted: 26 Feb 2008, 10:31
by fergus77
Hey chaps, have the same problem with my vanagon inside lights, they don't come on when full beam is activated, rather they run off the heated rear window switch!!??
checked the wiring out yesterday and there's a relay in behind the light's, i assume to operate them. Anybody have a link or diagram as to how to wire them in?
Re: Relays for headlights
Posted: 26 Feb 2008, 18:13
by Grun
fergus77,
Only the dip/main beam/flasher relay is shown in the Haynes wiring diagram, look..
Here...for info in the wiki.
Mike
Posted: 26 Feb 2008, 21:02
by fergus77
Cheers Grun, will do