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Author Topic: Wipac Halogen Headlight Replacements  (Read 442 times)

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Wipac Halogen Headlight Replacements
« on: 16 May 2013, 10:40:50 pm »
Is the S3 switching and wiring loom up to running halogen headlights off. Apart from the wiring potentially getting hot, halogens have to be run hot enough to allow the halogen gas to bounce off the glass envelope otherwise is condenses on the glass effectively silvering the inside surface and quickly reducing the light output. May have just answered my own question but if I need to fit relays where, on an S3, is the easiest place to mount them to access the switched head/main switched supply and where should I run the the supply for the load which will also need to be fused? What gauge wire should I use?
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Ian
S2 88 1961 "..."
S3 88 1981 "Gun"

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Re: Wipac Halogen Headlight Replacements
« Reply #1 on: 16 May 2013, 10:59:53 pm »
If you run 50/55 halogens, then yes it is up to it as the sealed beams were the same power.  If you run 55/60, possibly!

If you fit relays, they don't like oil, heat, wet or vibration and even the sealed ones aren't necessarily up to continuous exposure so that may have a bearing on where you site them!

Take the supply to the relay from the battery with new cables and ensure that you have an in-line fuse!  Use heavy gauge wire (1.5mm to 2.5mm) as it minimises voltage drop and any heating effect (I err on the side of caution rather than use the thinnest that will do). 

It may be easier to pick up the swiched feed at the headlight end unless you are prepared to modify your wiring!

HTH
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Re: Wipac Halogen Headlight Replacements
« Reply #2 on: 17 May 2013, 02:06:29 pm »
I've just done this on my S2a with the exception I made up my own complete loom. I mounted two relays inside a small IP65 enclosure on the N/S wing so I could keep the power wires as short as possible. Dead easy job to do then to get the switch wires from the dash and to get a good reliable earth. I used 1.5mm cable fro the switch side and 2mm for the power/earth, mainly because that's what I had handy.

Just one word of warning though - the actual headlamps are made in China (both Wipac and Ring use the same factory) so the little mounting tabs on the back of the bowls WILL NOT line up to the proper mounting rings. You've just got to do the best you can at lining them up and compensate for any misalignment with the headlamp adjusting screws.
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Re: Wipac Halogen Headlight Replacements
« Reply #3 on: 17 May 2013, 09:30:09 pm »
I have been running halogens on my series 3 for three years now. In that time it has cooked two dip switches so i now run the headlamps through relays to try and ease the load on the dip switch. Only time will tell if it is any better but I get peace of mind knowing it should be better.
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Re: Wipac Halogen Headlight Replacements
« Reply #4 on: 17 May 2013, 10:34:21 pm »
Is their any brand of halogen headlight that are made correctly? Thus avoiding installation problems please.
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Re: Wipac Halogen Headlight Replacements
« Reply #5 on: 18 May 2013, 08:27:53 pm »
towhitch - these:
Pardon our interruption...
ebay.co.uk


literally a straight swap, I helped my mate do it on his mini (which uses the exact same headlights) a few years ago. I think the bulbs that come with them are 55 watt, but by 'eck do they make a bloody big difference if you are used to the sealed beams tealights. today they are still going strong, the mini's original wiring has not complained in the slightest, and he is still able to see miles ahead on the darkest back roads  :)
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Re: Wipac Halogen Headlight Replacements
« Reply #6 on: 18 May 2013, 08:56:06 pm »
If you want the best 7" halogens then its got to be cibies.

I run 100/130w halogens through relays mounted on the back of the bulkhead behind the dash, with an extra fusebox.
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Re: Wipac Halogen Headlight Replacements
« Reply #7 on: 18 May 2013, 11:52:21 pm »
Quote from: Lucy on 18 May 2013, 08:56:06 pm
If you want the best 7" halogens then its got to be cibies.

I run 100/130w halogens through relays mounted on the back of the bulkhead behind the dash, with an extra fusebox.

Yup, I agree, back in days gone by I ran a Mini which went thru' various halogens before I ended up with Cibies - way, way better than any of the others! They are a bit pricey but I guess in this case you get what you pay for.
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