Date:         Mon, 31 Jan 2000 01:29:08 EST
Reply-To:     JKrevnov@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rico Sapolich <JKrevnov@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Plug n Play headlight harness with relays - almost done
Comments: To: vanagon@volkswagen.org
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

In a message dated 1/30/00 1:44:57 PM, vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG writes:

<< Any suggestions or comments are welcomed. >>

Dave:

I don't think the passenger is going to mind the muted clicking of that relay
if the hydrogen ever builds up enough in that battery box to blow his ass
through the roof when the relay is toggled.  Seriously, I saw a battery
explode once when a fellow arced the jumper cables he was connecting to his
buddy's car after an extended period of cranking it over.  Fortunately, he
was wearing his eyeglasses and expert emergency medical care was onsite.

Although it may be a very remote one, it is an unnecessary risk.  I have
owned Volvo 240's for about 25 years.  In them Volvo mounts a ratchet relay
controlling the headlights in the engine compartment on the inner fender
wing.  This relay does not seem to be hermetically sealed or even ruggedized
yet, I have never had one fail.  Mounting one behind the grille with a
suitable splash shield should suffice.

Of course, if possible, calling into service one of those spared relay slots
on the relay panel would be the most elegant solution
Rich