Flash and Main beam, is there a relay???

[Chix]

Hi team!

Just want to make sure I don't replace my main beam switch only for it to melt away again!!

Is it true that the full load for the headlamps actually goes through that switch? or is there a relay somewhere? and is it behind the dash, and what does it look like?

If there is a relay, then I'm sure mine must be wired up incorrectly because I'm sure I've got too much going through the switch itself.

I have got a wiring diagram (the one people have shown me on here, which shows empty rectangular boxes between the fuse and the lamp, are they relays?) and one in the Haynes manual for Mk1, but that one doesn't explicitly show any relays...

Any advice gratefully received, and Happy New year!

[NeilR]

There is no relay.

4 x 55w lamps (16amps +) through a farty little switch, not suprising it melts is it.

[mole42]

AFAIRC, the main beam switch is designed to switch the inner lamps only - that is 2x 55W - as originally wired. Many people have modified the headlamps to dip/main so that when the main beam switch is operated it switches four main lamps. It is then operating with twice the design current. Failure happens. That's why, if you modify the headlamp circuit you need to fit one or two relays.

[Chix]

AFAIRC, the main beam switch is designed to switch the inner lamps only - that is 2x 55W - as originally wired. Many people have modified the headlamps to dip/main so that when the main beam switch is operated it switches four main lamps. It is then operating with twice the design current. Failure happens. That's why, if you modify the headlamp circuit you need to fit one or two relays.

Wait, so originally, the main beam is just the inner lamps? The outer ones switch off?
all four of mine are on when main beam is on.
does that mean I need to fit a relay?

cheers

[Tdafforn]

Wait, so originally, the main beam is just the inner lamps? The outer ones switch off?
all four of mine are on when main beam is on.
does that mean I need to fit a relay?

cheers

I'd say yes. I have done this mod on mine and added 3 relays. One for main beam (all 4 lamps) and one each for inner and outer dip beams to provide fail safe lighting if there is a short in one dip beam circuit.

[mole42]

Wait, so originally, the main beam is just the inner lamps? The outer ones switch off?
all four of mine are on when main beam is on.
does that mean I need to fit a relay?

cheers

It’s been a lot of years since I saw an original, but I think the outer lamps, dipped, were switched on by the rotary switch and the inner, main, were added with the main beam switch. So main is four lamps shining.

I’d say any change to that would involve relays - mine has two because I use main/dip on the outer lamps and add the inners for main. There’s also another relay to allow the Cibié spotlights to go out when selecting dipped lights!

[DJT]

I'd say yes. I have done this mod on mine and added 3 relays. One for main beam (all 4 lamps) and one each for inner and outer dip beams to provide fail safe lighting if there is a short in one dip beam circuit.

Dip beam is outer lights only. Main beam switches the inners on, alongside the dipped outers. Stags were originally fitted with 4 x H1 lamp units. These are single filament only.

[mole42]

Dip beam is outer lights only. Main beam switches the inners on, alongside the dipped outers. Stags were originally fitted with 4 x H1 lamp units. These are single filament only.

Thanks for confirming that Dave, I'm glad to know that my memory isn't always incorrect ( in spite of what some members of my family might suggest!)

[NeilR]

I fitted relays for Dip & Main, both fed directly from the battery (fused of course).
Dip, outers only. Main, all 4.

When I went to LED, I fitted a third relay.
Cuts off the the outer dip elements (H4 dual element) so just the 4 main elements on, the leds would overheat with both main & dip elements on

[malc4d]

Some other markets had main/dip H4 on the outside and main H1 on the inner.

[APS]

On original set up the power/current for the main inner headlights go through the stalk switch and the rotary switch, hence reason you can only turn main beam on when your dipped are on. But the power for the flashing of main beam is through the stalk only as power is supplied by another circuit. The power/current for the dipped outer headlights just go through the rotary switch. The original set up is quite adequate but if you start changing from original then you possibly need to reconsider whether relays are required.

[DMT]

I have LED's with all 4 lights Dip&Main with 4 relays. One fuse for each 4 pairs of lights. I have an override switch next to the Bonnet Pull (RHS) to turn the inner pair of Dips off for town driving.

To make things easier I have LHD stalks so the lights are on the same side as modern cars.

[APS]

To make things easier I have LHD stalks so the lights are on the same side as modern cars.

This is a good mod, been thinking of doing this myself.

[richardthestag]

Like DJT and Richard (Mole) said ^^ OE Stag was always dipped outers all the time and they stay on when the inners go High. I will be honest and say that I never had an issue with them OE. In fact they are superior to the setup on my 1993 Range Rover.

who was the chap who managed to set his stag on fire by wiring all 4 to come on with full beam?

Or did I dream that.

BTW Rule Home You cannot care about blinding everyone else on the road if you can see through brick walls with those them "upgraded*" headlights

[NeilR]

One thing can be relied upon on this forum - Some person will always criticise whatever anybody does.