Club 80-90 Forums

I go through 2-3 ignition switches a year. I've fitted a hard start hoping to prolong their lifespan. It crossed my mind that the ignition switches often fail when I've been using the headlights so I was wondering whether the stock wiring is insufficient for Osram Nightbreakers?

The main reason people fit nightbreakers (whether they realise or not) is because the headlight reflectors are so damned awful. Brighter bulbs compensate (sort of). I have stock bulbs in my headlights and they beat nightbreakers in stock headlights but my reflectors are better designed.

It sounds as though you haven't retro-fitted any headlight relays. These take the load off existing dash wiring.

I did this until I upgrade the dash wire as per Mr Covkids wiki entry.

http://www.paddockspares.com/boomslang- ... -loom.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Highly recommened, bought some Nighbreakers, now I can see at night,

I should do a write-up or video really but I spent months testing a box full of headlight bulbs (including LED ones) to try and solve the poor lighting but it became clear that the bulbs were barely part of the issue. In the end it came down to:

1 ) Old main cables either frayed, or insufficient resulting in a substantial voltage drop (10 volts at headlights not untypical)
2) Hella headlights are akin to a 1960s torch reflector (there are better units around these days unless your lights are square)
3) No headlight relays (essential mod I'd say)

Once I did the above, I could run with even basic halogen bulbs and still light up the road for miles on full. Nightbreakers no longer needed - which lets face it, aren't cheap.... Plus the fact you then have to buy ANOTHER pair of Nighbreakers should one go. Not great really.

Yep square lights. Typically of me I've got the relay kit, looks identical to that Boomslang but haven't got round to fitting them. Will get on to it. Not clear on whether the Nighbreakers would cause overload to ignition switch. Been looking at the dash upgrade but where as I'm happy to get stuck into basic mechanical side I've got a bit of a fear of messing with electrics.

Sir Brixalot wrote:Yep square lights. Typically of me I've got the relay kit, looks identical to that Boomslang but haven't got round to fitting them. Will get on to it. Not clear on whether the Nighbreakers would cause overload to ignition switch. Been looking at the dash upgrade but where as I'm happy to get stuck into basic mechanical side I've got a bit of a fear of messing with electrics.

To answer your question No, Nightbreakers don't use any more power than the standard bulb.

Sir Brixalot wrote:Yep square lights. Typically of me I've got the relay kit, looks identical to that Boomslang but haven't got round to fitting them. Will get on to it. Not clear on whether the Nighbreakers would cause overload to ignition switch. Been looking at the dash upgrade but where as I'm happy to get stuck into basic mechanical side I've got a bit of a fear of messing with electrics.

Im with you on that one. Fitted the Boomslang kit.

For the poer cable upgrade... Can follow the wiki battery side of things, but not sure what to do when I get to the fusebox. CovKid... any chance of some pointers if your not to busy

Sir Brixalot wrote:I go through 2-3 ignition switches a year. I've fitted a hard start hoping to prolong their lifespan. It crossed my mind that the ignition switches often fail when I've been using the headlights so I was wondering whether the stock wiring is insufficient for Osram Nightbreakers?

Have you made sure that the "Terminal X" relief relay is working correctly ?

Wipers stop when starting so X relay is working

Finish up at dash with same terminal block I describe in WIKI - connect an extra 6-way fusebox to it and move all the heavy stuff like lights, fan etc to this new fusebox, one at a time. That will leave the old fusebox handling all the light stuff - the existing supply will be more than enough. Earths don't change although for lights its better to drill and ground properly at front behind headlight grill.

Can follow the wiki battery side of things, but not sure what to do when I get to the fusebox. CovKid... any chance of some pointers if your not to busy

Looked at my relay kit. There's only one male 3 pin plug so I think that means I only need to connect it on one original female plug. Does it matter which of the original plugs I don't use. Also for the live feed should I run a new wire back to the battery or intercept the original feed nearer the lights?

New feed from battery. Make sure its chunky

In answer to your original question: Nightbreakers are the same wattage as normal bulbs and use the same amount of power so aren't responsible. However, the later 4 lamp setup does draw nearly 20 amps on full beam, so double that of a standard round headlamp setup. Relays and new wiring will be your saviour!

Martin

Thanks gents. I'll run a new cable from a battery direct to relay. More spoonfeeding please- what gauge do I need.

6mm will be adequate.