Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 18:45:46 -0700
Reply-To: Fryday <fryday@CALIFORNIA.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Fryday <fryday@CALIFORNIA.COM>
Subject: Re: Hella H4s and relays
In-Reply-To: <009201c23411$c460c5c0$0100a8c0@MEDION1800>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"
Hey, I just bought the Hella dual battery relay kit. Is this the same relay
that would be used for the headlight? Do I only need one relay?
Thanks,
Philippe
On Thu, 25 Jul 2002 21:30:43 +0200
Robert Steven Fish <fish@SALZBURG.CO.AT> wrote:
> 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"
> somewhere in the subject line of the email. Otherwise it goes directly in
> the trash.
>
> <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
> >
A bientot et avec amour,
Fuzzy :philippe
Stilts/Chocolate Truffles/Chill Spaces/Fuzzy Characters...
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(866) 248-7673 x6111 - voicemail/fax
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