Date:         Thu, 25 Jul 2002 21:30:43 +0200
Reply-To:     Robert Steven Fish <fish@SALZBURG.CO.AT>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Steven Fish <fish@SALZBURG.CO.AT>
Subject:      Re: Hella H4s and relays
Comments: To: Oxroad@AOL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

There is a reason for installing the relays though for your lights... and
that reason is that the there was a design flaw in the original VW spec.
They routed all the power from the battery, through the entire wiring
harness, through the switches, and then eventually to the headlamps.

There is a significant voltage drop due to the small diameter of the wire
used, and the amount of resistance encountered along the way.

This means that your lights are most likely receiving 10-11 volts, when they
should be geting the full 14 volts (you can test the voltage at the bulb
with a multi-meter and see exactly what your voltage is). Even a tiny loss
of voltage at the lamps, results in a huge loss of light output.

You will notice a HUGE improvement in being able to see the road at night,
with simply the wiring / relay upgrade.  Of course, the European H4 lamps
are then even better.. and you will be seeing even more critters in front of
you at night.  You should not have to remain of-road with the standard H4
lamps, as nobody will know that they are any different from normal lights if
they are adjusted correctly.

If you go and put the 100/80 watt bulbs in (wiring upgrade is then
mandatory) you may get in trouble if you shine your slightly misaligned high
beams in a cops face... but adjusted correctly, these too can be used on the
highway too. If you are off-road, then I would go the 100/80 watt route,
with rewiring and relays on all lights... it is simply a better system.

There is more than enough documentation on how to do the wiring upgrade...
and it is really easy.  Just use a good beefy wire, or it is not worth doing
at all.

Good Luck

RSF

IMPORTANT!!! In order to reply to me, you must have the word "FISH"
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<º)))>{   <º)))>{   <º)))>{   <º)))>{   <º)))>{   <º)))>{

Robert S. Fish
Salzburg, Austria
1987 Wolfsburg Vanagon 2.1 GL Weekender
1987 Golf Cabriolet
1991 Golf

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeffrey R" <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, July 24, 2002 10:48 AM
Subject: Hella H4s and relays


> If I replace the stock style headlights on my 83 bus with Hella H4 7 inch
> round headlights, do I need to install a relay? The H4 bulbs are 55/60
watts
> (low beam/high beam).
>
> My fear is they will damage the light switch. I don't know exactly why
they
> would--too much pwer running through the switch, maybe? I'm no
electrician.
>
> I should also mention I have the hella H3 driving lights wired into the
high
> beams with no relays.
>
> I'd rather avoid the project of installing relays, but am I then working
on a
> fire? Are the relays necessary to avoid this?
>
> (once the H4 are installed I will only use the vehicle in competition and
off
> road per DOT laws for the H4 ;)
>
> TIA
> Jeff
> 83.5 Westy
> LA,CA
>