Headlamp relay kit on SV?

[otaylor38]

Hello everyone :).

So, H4 relay wiring kits.

I've seen them on:
http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Wiring_Kits/H4_Kits/h4_kits.html

It works out at around £90 delivered I think, for 2.

Has anyone used one on their SV? Did it are a big difference?

Know of anywhere else you can get them from?

Feedback muchly appreciated.

Cheers
Oli

[aesmith]

Seems very expensive compared to prices for the components. For example 25A relays from Vehicle Wiring Products are only £3.76 each. The only slightly obscure part is the H4 coupler that plugs onto the original bulb connector, but they're on Ebay at £2.30 (look for H4 Male Connector).

[NTECUK]

Its not good value .

[otaylor38]

Yeah thats what i thought, hence asking if there was anywhere else lol.

Could always make one up though i guess. Looks easy enough.

Cheers

[MJC-DEV]

I've got one and it's made a huge improvement to the light output. I could have made one myself (I'm an electronics Eng by trade) but the build and part quality of the Eastern beaver is superb. I have the option with the waterproof quick discount plug as well to allow the fairing to come off without cutting all the cable ties off and unbolting it from the battery.
As I don't have ready access to the crimp tools, crimps, relays, relay sockets, H4 sockets and waterproof connector, anything I made would not have been up to that standard so it was easier to buy it rather than make it. BUT I did get hit with duty and VAT, plus Royal mail fee and that really did make it too expensive in hindsight. If you can slip it through customs fair enough but don't bet on it.

PS. the relays are NOT cheap EBAY parts, but fully waterproof and ultra reliable Japanese ones. If they fail at night at speed it wouldn't be good. Don't go for cheap as its critical for your safety, ditto for all the other parts.

[otaylor38]

Cheers for that, very helpful :).

Mind me askin roughly how much it turned out to be all included?

I do like the idea, im just not entirely sure i can justify that much money on abit of wire with a few bits on it, if you get me? Seems very expensive.

[MJC-DEV]

The Dual H4 was $65 plus quick dis-connect option @ $5 + shipping @ $21 = $91.
This was £58 at the current exchange rate. Then VAT 20% + duty (3% I think) then £6 Royal Mail fee so total was about £71.34
I also bought the horn relay kit so can't give total I actually paid. Where did the £90 come from your first post? He does a dual headlamp kit so you don't buy 2 x singles.
Other options are to just buy the relay/sockets and quick dis-connect to wire yourself or just to get 'good' UK parts, not, I stress again, the cheapest stuff you can find on Ebay

[yorkie_chris]

Even ebay cheap crap relays are ok. Reason being you are driving the relays just at a fraction of what they're designed for in an easy, low cycle application.

[aesmith]

... get 'good' UK parts, not, I stress again, the cheapest stuff you can find on EbayUK and Ebay are not exclusive! The H4 male connector is available from UK suppliers specialising in automotive wiring products. It just happened to be their Ebay listing that turns up on a google search. However if you want to go up a step in quality, then look for marine wiring products which will have better corrosion resistance (and boat owners are generally fussy).

[yorkie_chris]

Marine tinned cable is nice, pricey though and you don't really need it. I prefer to just make sure the ends stop water getting in rather than try and help it survive a sal****er bath.

Most connectors I fill the back with hot melt glue and a splodge of silicon grease in the joint. Keeps wires dry and good contacts for literally years!

[otaylor38]

Cheers :). It is a lot for what it is, but I'll have a think about it and have a look on the Internet first for parts.

Yeah I didn't realise he did dual headlight kits so that was two singles at first. The dual kit makes the money a tiny bit better lol.

I understand it uses the original h4 plug for signal. Do you just tape your other one up and tuck it somewhere?

I may just be a sucker n buy it tbh. It is expensive but I'd know its done properly. I'm not an electrician, I'm a plumber, I can eventually get my head around the simple stuff but it can take me a while lol. I dislike them to be honest. Atleast I know he's done them right and can put a little more trust into them not failing

Cheers

[MJC-DEV]

Even ebay cheap crap relays are ok. Reason being you are driving the relays just at a fraction of what they're designed for in an easy, low cycle application.

I'm not talking about contacts especially just build quality and reliability, I've had automotive relays that have stuck, come on over bumps and crimp terminals fallen off, and most are not water resistant never mind fully sealed. I'm not saying don't buy from Ebay but you usually get what you pay for. Cheap may work for a while but its a job that's worth doing well. So my personal reccomandation if anyone makes one themselves is to use glue filled heatshrink and sealed relays if you can afford them ($6.50 from Eastern B) and all the other good tips from YC later post.

OP: The unused H4 I just tie wrapped out of the way.

[NTECUK]

Stuff some silicon grease in the connector then cable tie it out the way.