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FAQ/Tech Tip Detail:
Installing European Headlamps |
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| Updated: | Dec 29, 1999 | ||||
| Author: | Yosh Hakutani | ||||
| Email: | hakutani@bellatlantic.net [email author about this] | ||||
| Answer: |
A couple of caveats: I was looking to do the cleanest installation possible. Also, to retain as much of the stock wiring as possible in order to allow me to pop back in the original lights in case of an inspection situation. I purchased the optional wiring harness from ND in order to make the job easier. Wiring relays is actually very, very easy, but I have to admit, while the ND harness kit is expensive (but not so much when you consider that it includes all fuses, relays, and the 80/100W bulbs) it really is very, very well put together. The way the euro lights work vs. stock:whereas STOCK (S) you have:
in EURO (E) you have:
So, in my configuration, I now have city lights instead of parking lights, 55W * 2 for low beam, and (100W + 100W) *2 for high beam. Yes, that is 400W on high beam! I have the bulbs for 80W * 2 for low beam but really want to aim them correctly before really damaging the retinas of oncoming drivers! The installation:
ConclusionsIt is always nice to see where you've been in your life. It is even better to see where you are going. The wiring harness + 80/100 bulbs is expensive but really makes the job a snap. harness should do just fine. However, if you do plan on running higher wattage (like the 80w/100w bulbs) it is imperative that you run the relays... (the smell of buring wires and insulation is a really nasty smell - not to mention the strain on the stock relays and the switch!) If you plan on (or have to for inspection reasons) keeping the stock headlights handy and need a quick backtrack, the above installation procedure should help you. I can probably return to the stock light configuration in ~ 10 minutes or so. For me to return to stock config (at least for inspection) I just remove the euros, take the stock lights, plug in the connectors for the main lights (which I did NOT cut off), and unplug the harness for the parking lights and replace with my old wires. That is it! The relay config is also really easy. Essentially, your headlight switch acts as a trigger for the relays. When you turn on your parking lights, the wires to the parking lights are powered. These directly power the city lights. When you turn on the low beams, the voltage to the driver's side headlight kicks the relay for the low beams, which then allow power directly from the battery (through a 30A fuse) to go to both low beams. When you go to high beams, the voltage to the driver's side high beam kicks a second relay (for the high beams), which then allows power from the battery (through a 2nd 30A fuse) to go the the high beams. Total costs
Total timeProbably ~1 hour or so. Give or take 30 minutes depending on how anal you are about wiring/soldering/taping/etc. :) ImpressionsThe real deal when it comes to lights. The 400W total on highbeams is a real delight on twisty, dark roads. The cut off pattern for the euro lights is absolutely crisp on the low beams. Properly aimed, there is no glare, just a nice, crisp light. Expensive but definitely worth it - even just for the beam pattern. Notes
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