44 replies to this topic

[Bazooka Joe]

Cheers; and without being too dense, I take it I just then run a wire from the solenoid to each lamp for main and high beam, and disconnect the wires alreayd there (apart form the earth of course). I have been thinking of doing something like this for a while since my headlight switch burnt out a couple of years ago without warning

[KernowCooper]

Cheers; and without being too dense, I take it I just then run a wire from the solenoid to each lamp for main and high beam, and disconnect the wires alreayd there (apart form the earth of course). I have been thinking of doing something like this for a while since my headlight switch burnt out a couple of years ago without warning

 

The wire from the solenoid goes to the 12v feed in on the relays, the original cars wiring from the main/dip switches the relays

 

So by going by the picture below

 

30 = Solenoid Feed 12v

86 = original dip/main beam in

87 = out the dip/main beam

85 = earth

Attached Files

•  relay_wiring.jpg   26.02K   35 downloads

Edited by KernowCooper, 03 July 2013 - 03:52 PM.

[tiger99]

As long as you are using seperate relays for left and right, that is ok, but if not, it will be illegal and dangerous. The circuit breaker shown performs the same function as a fuse, and it must never be wired such that one fuse failing takes out both lights. You will end up needing 4 fuses and 4 relays, to operate main and dip. Don't put a fuse upstream of the main light switch.

 

With that in mind, I would consider it to be a modification well worth doing. Relays are not all that expensive these days.

 

While you are at it, the earths will need uprating, and I strongly recommend fitting a seperate earth for the left and right lights, again avoiding a possible failure taking out both lights while you are on the move.

[Captain Mainwaring]

 

We have available rather nice little kits available here - all fused etc - unplug the old spindly cables and plug in the new heavy cables to the lamps, use one of the existing cables and plug in the relay unit adapter - feed on to starter terminal done - I bought 2 kits for about 4 quid - figured it was worth it just for the spares supplied.

Where exactly are these available from?

 

Thanks, Paul.

 

 

 Is what you are looking for - should be easily available in the UK. Complete with main/dip relay and two fuses.

Edited by Captain Mainwaring, 04 July 2013 - 11:20 AM.

[Captain Mainwaring]

Hi Rod

 

Just to clarify I run 1 large feed wire (Non Fused) from the starter which is more than capable of taking the light 9amps, I then connect this to relay 1 and then onto relay 2, the cars wiring stays the same as now the origional dip/main from the switch just switches the relays. You would not fuse the wire from the starer solenoid for obvoius reasons, if the fuse blew you would have no lights. Or to be double safe run 2 seperate wires from the solenoid 12v to each relay.

 

everything about the stalk and the headlight switch and the cars loom out to the lights remains standard and running at a reduced load

We'd have to disagree on that - fuse 'em left and right, fuse 'em main/dipped (preferable - only 2 relays) - but no fuse direct off the starter....? Not for the captain. 

Even the crappy little kit I bought for spare parts has main and dipped with inline fuses - 

[Captain Mainwaring]

Looks just the job but would be very surprised if you could buy a kit like that over here for about £4! Moss Europe charge nearly £40 for something similar. Looks like an opportunity for a bulk buy to ship over here for that price!!!

 

Two for 4 quid....I put one on the Pajero because despite it be a manly off road vehicle, the headlamp wiring was a joke and I wanted to stick some decent H4's in it - The other one sits on the shelf, and as soon as I get the rest finished, I'll stick it on the mini.

[Cooperman]

I certainly use 4 relays for the headlights for 2 reasons. The first is that this makes the system 'fail-safe' and both lights can't fail due to one fuse or one relay failing and, secondly, if I decide to fit 100/80 watt headlamp bulbs I won't need to re-wire.

[Woody2332]

I still don't get it

[zony]

Sorry to say this, but if you don't get it, stay well clear and let someone who does know, do the job. Best be safe rather than fried.

[KernowCooper]

All the info is here with the diagrams on how to do it, but you will need some basic electrical knowledge to be able to carry out the install. If you dont get it then have a read up about how to wire up a relay.

 

Read a basic guide here http://www.theminifo...ys-connections/

Edited by KernowCooper, 05 July 2013 - 12:22 AM.

[Woody2332]

I was tired last night, got it now

[rodandtom]

Hi Rod

 

Just to clarify I run 1 large feed wire (Non Fused) from the starter which is more than capable of taking the light 9amps, I then connect this to relay 1 and then onto relay 2, the cars wiring stays the same as now the origional dip/main from the switch just switches the relays. You would not fuse the wire from the starer solenoid for obvoius reasons, if the fuse blew you would have no lights. Or to be double safe run 2 seperate wires from the solenoid 12v to each relay.

 

everything about the stalk and the headlight switch and the cars loom out to the lights remains standard and running at a reduced load

Hi Dave,

 

Thanks for the clarification. Good solution.

 

Rod

 

RodAndTom

[KernowCooper]

 

Hi Rod

 

Just to clarify I run 1 large feed wire (Non Fused) from the starter which is more than capable of taking the light 9amps, I then connect this to relay 1 and then onto relay 2, the cars wiring stays the same as now the origional dip/main from the switch just switches the relays. You would not fuse the wire from the starer solenoid for obvoius reasons, if the fuse blew you would have no lights. Or to be double safe run 2 seperate wires from the solenoid 12v to each relay.

 

everything about the stalk and the headlight switch and the cars loom out to the lights remains standard and running at a reduced load

We'd have to disagree on that - fuse 'em left and right, fuse 'em main/dipped (preferable - only 2 relays) - but no fuse direct off the starter....? Not for the captain. 

Even the crappy little kit I bought for spare parts has main and dipped with inline fuses - 

 

No we won't disagree its a stock picture off the net, I should have said NO FUSE on the feed wire from the solenoid.