Date:         Wed, 4 Jul 2018 11:53:57 -0400
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Birthdays and Busses
Comments: To: ddbjorkman@verizon.net
In-Reply-To:  <16465d314bb-c92-7bfd@webjas-vab100.srv.aolmail.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

If you understand relays you can build your own "system" which will be the
best possible.
   Mount two relays behind the grill, as near to the headlights as
possible, one for low beams, one for high beams.
Use the 12V signals that previously powered the lights to operate the relay
coils.  Bring 12V power to that location using a hefty wire that comes
directly from the positive terminal of your battery.  Use a 30A in-line
fuse holder at the battery connection.   This 12V connects to one of the
contact terminals in each relay.  The other contacts of the relays go to
the pairs of high and low beam filaments respectively.  Any ground
connections for the relays and lights should be made to the body sheet
metal as close by as practical; apply silicone grease to reduce corrosion
at the contacts.
   When mounting the relays, plan ahead, thinking about how to protect them
from the weather.
This approach made a very noticeable improvement in the brightness of the
lights on my '91 GL, measurable with a light meter.
  Of course it also reduces the load on the headlite switch and presumably
extends it's life.
And you don't have to mess with the fuse/relay assembly under the dash!

Larry A.


On Wed, Jul 4, 2018 at 11:05 AM ddbjorkman@verizon.net <
ddbjorkman@verizon.net> wrote:

> First off. Happy Birthday United States Of America.  Sometimes is/been a
> rocky road, but still we keep on trying.
>
>
> Now for Vanagon content.  With all the recent relay talk, I think I will
> finally install headlight relays.  But I have a question.  My Westy (the
> Bus) is an '87, but I changed to the '84 2 headlight system due to the
> crappy light I was getting from the original 4 light system.  Not knowing
> how far back wiring changes are for the different models, I wonder which
> relay system I would use, and the best setup.  I heard someone's name
> mentioned as opposed to the usual vendors.  Next, how do I determine the
> date of manufacture of my current generation Golf engine?
>
>
> Thanks for all, and enjoy the Holiday if you have one.
>
>
> Dave B.
>