44 replies to this topic

[Cooperman]

Only use fuses if you have 4 relays, one for each main beam and one for each dip. Then you can use 4 fuses after the relays. Anything else is basically not fail-safe and lights need to be 'fail-safe'. With 4 relays you can also fuse the relay feeds from the solenoid main power so long as each fuse is for one main and one dip supply to the relays.

[A-Cell]

I bought this kit today..........http://www.moss-euro...343&SortOrder=1
I thought it would be a straightforward installation, but after reading everything on this thread, it seems to be a bit strange that the kit includes a 20A fuse in the 12v feed circuit. Surely this can't be right as some have said, if the fuse goes, you have no lights?

The kit is inherently unsafe. Fusing the main feed is dangerous as you say. If you use this kit don't use the fuse link, make a direct connection to the starter solenoid.

[KernowCooper]

Be interesting to see what they say with 1 fuse its a lights out job -Not Recommended !

[Dan]

  Reply asking them if they are satisfied with their liability, should a single fuse failure take out all the forward lighting on a car driving on a dark motorway at night causing a pileup.  Especially since they not only sell it but also give the advice above.  If their response is along the lines of 'if you fit it it's your problem' then I think you will know how much respect to give their advice.

[KernowCooper]

If they come back saying modern cars are fused on the headlights then you can explain that their wiring differs in that the left and right headlight circuits are fused but run independent of each other so you could not loose one fuse and end up with total headlight failure.

 

They will come back with something about 12v feeds being fused and liability I bet you

[Cooperman]

It is truly amazing how little some suppliers who deem themselves to be experts really understand about 'safety-critical' systems.

With electrical systems a single failure, say a fuse, should not have the potential for causing a catastrophic event. Sudden main beam failure could have this result.

A fuse failure should never result in the loss of more than 50% of the headlight mode selected (e.g. main beam).

In the 70's some cars were wired so that the headlights only worked with the ignition on. Sounds fine? Well, I had a Mk.3 Cortina GT and the throttle spring was a single spring. One dark December night the throttle spring broke, so I switched off the ignition, pushed the clutch down and braked, only for all the headlights to go out - blooming wonderful! I kept switching on and off until I stopped safely. It was no surprise when construction & use regulations were changed.

There must be no situation where all the headlights can be lost.

[Dan]

  Then I'd tell them to look at the wiring diagram for a Mini and ask them which of the fuses is for the lights!  The normal headlights weren't fused at all, on any Mini, until they were fused separately left and right main and dip on late SPi and all MPi cars.  They don't know what they are talking about, feel free to ignore them.

[Cooperman]

They don't know what they are talking about, feel free to contact Trading Standards or the Motor Agents Association  .

[KernowCooper]

I would email them back and put them straight and point out there error someone could be fitting the kit right now!