What relays to use for Head light relays

[SJ]

It costs even less to make the harness if you already have most of the
parts.

Relays can be had for free. Just pick them up at the junkyard whenever you
pay them a visit. Junkyards do not charge you for relays. Audis and VW's
have lots of relays in them. Through some magic process, I always find
several relays in my pockets after every visit to the local junkyard.

What? You are worried about the contacts on junkyard relays? I have not
found a bad contact yet. Bosch relays have a double set of contacts. One set
closes just before the second set, and likewise, they open after the second
set opens. Any arcing is done at the "sacrificial" first set contacts. The
relay covers come off easy enough so you can visually check the contacts.

Some of us have a crimping kit . . .a ratcheting crimper and a whole bunch
of crimp connectors. The 14 ga and 12 ga wires can be had at Home Depot. I
would prefer to have finer stranded wires that have a good heat and solvent
rating . . . .need to find a source for that yet.

I suppose you can have the whole thing rigged up in less than an hour. I
takes me much longer than that. I like stress loops, tie wrapped wires, wire
protectors made from vacuum hose, a neat layout. On the second or third try,
the time is slashed in half . . . . typical Learning Curve stuff. Now that I
think about it, if you separate the harness making from the installation . .
.it does take less than an hour to make the harness. The installation time
will be the same no matter if you make your own harness or buy it.

I do like those connectors that they use on the ready made harness. The lamp
connector you can get at most auto parts stores. But where do you find the
connector that duplicates what is at the lamp itself? Having this connector
would eliminate cutting into the existing harness.

I noticed the purchased harness had no protection for the relays. My relays
are protected with a 1 1/2" diameter ABS plastic pipe with end caps . .
.sealed from the weather.

And last but not least, doing your own work is mentally rewarding . . . .
the extra cash in your pocket is a bonus . .as long as the wife does not
find it.


SJ
85 Dodge PU, D-250, 318, auto
85 Audi 4k - - sold but still on the road
88 Audi 5kq
90 Audi 100q



> Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2003 20:17:20 -0500
> From: "R. Mair" <waves at epix.net>
> Subject: Re: What relays to use for Head light relays
> To: "Quattro List" <quattro at audifans.com>
> Message-ID: <01a301c3b484$380e9b70$06945344 at Dell>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> $55 for a harness!?! Sheesh, for about $15 you can buy a Bosch 30 amp
relay,
> with plastic connector, with about 2 feet of wire already clipped into the
> connector, AND a fuse and holder. One of these will handle either high or
> low beams. Buy two and do both. You can have the whole thing rigged up in
> less than an hour and the wire is heavy enough for anything you'll ever
draw
> through it.
>
> Rolf Mair
>
> 2002 Allroad
> 1995.5 S6 Avant (for sale)
> 1995 90q Sport
> 1990 90 20v turbo