Headlamp Relay Kits

[Brosky]

For those of you with the prior installation experience, I ask which supplier makes the best kit for a headlamp relay for my TR6 with H-4 bulbs? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif

OR......

Is there a recommended method if installing individual parts to do the same? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

Any and all suggestions welcome. Especially the "Don't do this because...." /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/nonono.gif

Spring is coming and I'm lining up parts. I have my 55 Amp Fiesta alternator and this relay package is going in with it.

 

[PeterK]

Dan Masters makes a kit https://www.advanceautowire.com/

You really don't need a kit, just a couple of Bosch type relays and length of 10-12 gaug wire. One relay switches power to the low beams, and the other relay switches power to the high beams.

Run the 10ga.feed from the hot on your starter switch or + battery terminal to the relays hot terminals (30) (you can use one wire connected to both since the high and low beams are not powered at the same time), connect your high and low from the dash/dipper switch to the respective relay's signal input terminal (86), connect the wires going to your high and low beams to the respective relay's switched output terminal(87). Don't forget the grounds (85).

Some use fuses, some don't to avoid losing lights on a dark twisty road. I have one fuse for the hot feed. Dan's kit has one each for L&R high&low.

This diagram is generic but shows the terminal connections needed. Our headlight wires are blUe-Red blUe-White, not yellow and red. Note that (compared to Dan's kit)85 and 86 terminals can be reversed and work the same.

 

[LastDeadLast]

Paul,

You can get a generic setup anywhere, but I like Advance Auto Wire for a few reasons:

1. High quality components
2. You can get the kit modified to suit your individual setup
3. If you have fog/driving lights, you can integrate their kit with your other items, giving you an additional 2 fused circuits to play with (it has excess capacity)

I've got the following items running on my two blocks (headlights and fog lights)
*High beams
*Low beams
*Driving lamps
*Electric fan
*Power accessory (cig lighter)

I purchased a small piece of black fiber from them and mounted the entire kit out of sight above the passengers feet:

 

[vagt6]

I highly recommend this mod to headlamps. Aside from being a significant safety upgrade, a good relay setup noticeably increases the brightness of your headlamps and/or auxillary lamps. I did this on my motorcycle and the increase in light was amazing.

Adding the relays and improved wiring reduces voltage drop. With the relays and improved wiring, your headlamps get more voltage, resulting in more light.

Great mod for our antique cars. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/driving.gif

 

[Brosky]

I emailed Dan about my thoughts, but forgot the potential future electric fan. Time for an update.

Thanks for the reminder Shannon!

 

[TR3driver]

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif with everything above.
However, having twice now had the headlights go out on a dark road, once due to a relay failure, the other time a fuse failure (on two different TR3As); I'm seriously considering splitting the system side-to-side with a separate fusible link and pair of relays for each side.

 

[PeterK]

Oh yeah, carry a spare relay or two, They just plug in to the relay harness sockets. Good point Randall.

And you can use the same config for all added circuits that draw power, like electric fan, fog/driving lights, horns.

 

[Brosky]

I was smart enough originally to ask Dan for extra relays and fuses.

One for my team!!

 

[Tomster]

Estimated costs and time required?

 

[Guest]

This is one of those things that a kit is a bit of a waste of money - unless you are into convenience. You can get relays and holders from PartsExpress for around $5 each, and a couple of spools of heavy wire (or even better enough original color from BritishWiring) for $10ish. Making your own is then a trivial exercise.

 

[DNK]

Dan has turned over the Manufacturing to his son. Dan' will design a special set up for you but you will have to order it thru Mike.
I had Dan do my Astro van so I can run hi's and low's at the same time.

 

[LastDeadLast]

My problem was that I had wired several accessories individually and when I decided to upgrade to the Cibie's, I decided to consolidate and organize. I literally pulled the entire front harness and back into the cabin and ripped out all the old wiring I was replacing. I think the convenience of having all the relays and fuses all in one place, not to mention the being able to make sense of the wiring is the big advantage to using a kit.

 

[Brosky]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:] I think the convenience of having all the relays and fuses all in one place, not to mention the being able to make sense of the wiring is the big advantage to using a kit.[/QUOTE]

My thoughts exactly. I told Dan what I wanted to do, now and in the future and he is coming up with a package when he returns from his travels.