2 replies to this topic

[JBW]

1993 Mini 1275 Carb model

 

I am about to fit relays to the headlights, I will be using 2 relays, in fused holders so each individual light is fuse protected with 10 amp fuses after the relay. I will be taking the live feed for the relays from the starter solenoid. Currently the headlight are individually fused, but I intend just using 2 wires (1 main & 1 dipped) to trigger the respective relays. The relays & their fuses will be fitted to the inner wing

Should the permanent live be fused at 30 amps, which is more than total current for all both dip & main beams together ?

My thought is that if something in the relays or the permanent live feed was to short, the circuit would be protected & prevent a possible fire, so if the worst happened  & all the lights would fail it would be better than a fire !

 

Have uncovered some twisted wire connections already, so a bit of sorting out to do.

 

Any advice welcome.

John

[Steve220]

Fuses on both, before the relay. If the relay then fails, it will brake the fuse rather than melt your wiring and set fire to your car.

Not sure if this is entirely how you've planned it (struggling to find the order in your description), but this is how I'd do it.

Run your current headlight and main beam wiring to their own individual relay (ie a relay for dipped and relay for mains) via a fused link then ground the other side. Take a feed from the starter motor and put into a 30amp blade fuse then split to each relay. The other side of the relay, ie the high power output, will then split to go to each headlight unit.

Edited by Steve220, 18 March 2016 - 11:41 AM.

[JBW]

Thanks for the reply.

Just to recap, live feed from starter to both relays (1 for dip, 1 for main beams) with 30 amp inline fuse, output from relays to 4 individual fuse for for each lamp

Relay connections 

 

30  permanent live from starter motor (30 amp fuse)

87  live output to individual fuse for for  both dipped beams. (10 amp fuse)

85 switched live from loom

86 earth

 

Second relay for headlight with permanent live  linked from dipped relay.

 

 

That way each light is fuse protected, so if one was to cause the fuse to blow the other would still work.