headlamp relay upgrade

[spiceym]

Hi all, could you tell me whether it is worth doing this now I have upgraded to square lights? A mate tells me it's only the US Vanagons that it relates to but Im sure Ive seen it somewhere else before, cheers http://www.frankcondelli.com/hdltrela.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Titus A Duxass]

Do a search or read the wiki, it's a regular topic.

[California Dreamin]

This subject has been covered lots of times. This recent thread covered most things so take a look:

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=96326" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yes the relay mod definately helps to minimize voltage drop to the bulbs (most T25's were not fitted with relays and so old worn switchgear and wiring prevents full voltage from reaching the bulbs reducing brightness)
Also
Fit Osram Nightbreaker Plus H4's or Philips Xstreme bulbs

Martin

[New Kentish Campers]

Also, fit Osram Nightbreaker Plus H4's or Phips Xstreme bulbs

Martin

Yep, a great improvement on the original and well worth the money

[California Dreamin]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OSRAM-NIGHT-B ... 4cfa0fc7b3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Martin

[ghost123uk]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OSRAM-NIGHT-B ... 4cfa0fc7b3

Cheers for the "heads up" on those Martin, I just bought a pair (and if I like them, I'm sure I will, I will get 2 more pairs for hers and my Scirocco's )

Oh and yes the relay mod is well worth doing.

I did the very simple DIY fitting of a heavy fused cable from the battery and an (ex scrapyard) relay up behind the grill, getting the trigger voltage from the original headlamp feed wire. I only did the main beams. I also fitted decent short earth wires from each headlight to bodywork.

IMHO, no need for any fancy overpriced conversion kits

[spiceym]

Thanks for the advice guys. I had already done a lot of digging on the subject and had consequently got hold of relays and other bits including the nightbreaker plus bulbs. I was just about to launch myself into it when a friend from the vw club put the element of doubt in my mind. However I shall have a crack at it at the weekend now

Thanks again

[California Dreamin]

No mate...this is a well documented weakness with these and a sure fire way of improving the lighting...definately money and time well spent.

Martin

[spiceym]

Cheers Martin

[tannera34]

Like a lot of people we have had significant headlight issues (functioning but useless).

We were looking at voltage boosters at the front to upgrade the voltage at the front of the van to boost the headlights. After looking through this forum the advice seemed to be don't as you are pulling more current through a wiring system you already know you have a voltage (and hence resistance) issue with. Pulling more current just means more heating across those resistances (and possible fires!). We therefore decided it was either replace the whole wiring loom for the lights through the van along with switches/contacts along the whole path or do something else.

We therefore decided to run a heavy cored (10mm) fused (25A) cable direct from the battery to the front and used the existing headlamp feeds just to switch two 40a relays (ebay) that then feed the lights.

We also switched the lights to Phillips Extreme Brightness bulbs.

This has made an unbelievabale difference in performance. From being utterly rubbish in the dark and being able to see virtually nothing in the dark - we now have virtual daylight in front of us.

The most esssential upgrade I have ever done on the van. Utterly brilliant. Dont try and change the light units, dont fret about clouding on the main beam inboard units - this fixes everything.

If no one else has done a write up more than happy to do a photo guide. Let me know if it would be helpful.

[tandemsandy]

^^ Amen to that! We agree, the difference is staggering. I was going to fit some big driving lamps, no need now

It's like, errr, night and day.......

Rob