H4 wiring harness upgrade

[dahondr98]

Just so you know, so you don't have to run all over the place getting bits and pieces, Ashdown-Ingram stocks all the auto electrical parts you'll need. There's 8 branches in Vic listed here.

Use a resistor relay instead of the diode relay too. Less chance of it blowing
GW on the writeup dahondr98

Thanks. The reason I prefer diode relays is because they clamp the back-emf voltage spikes from the relay coil to zero, whereas resistor relays just reduce it. They are both safe for car electronics, it's just that one's a bit safer. And what do you know, Ashdown-Ingram have got a site in Hobart, too, in the old Philips warehouse. I'll have to go and check them out - it's only a 5 minute drive away, or a 30 minute walk.

[dahondr98]

Wow thanks for the info! I reckon you really should be in Melbourne, your like the relay expert...

Yes, I used to work almost exclusively in relay circuits, with some electronics and computerisation, about 30 years ago, so I had to know something about them.

I have found a pretty decent looking kit which i want to run past you as it may save me a lot of time and headache. If you approve this kit then I'll buy it straight away as I'm not a very technical person at all! This kit seems pretty simple to hook up so let me know what you think...

http://www.suvlights.com/product_inf...roducts_id=112

It's OK, although they don't state if the relays are diode- or resistor-protected, and so safe with car electronics. Both the ARB and Piranha use good quality relays that are safe with car electronics. It's certainly cheap, so chances are it's made in some sweatshop somewhere - probably Mexico - they won't be paying Australian labour costs to get them made, which accounts for the price difference. The wire gauge is OK, and should easily handle up to 100W bulbs. It won't perform as well as the Piranha, which uses 10AWG wire, or probably the ARB one (I'm not sure what wire the ARB one uses, probably 5mm/12AWG or maybe even 4mm/14AWG, but as I haven't seen one, I'm guessing. I just know that 4WD forums have mentioned that the ARB one uses slightly thinner wire.)

Why don't you go around to the local ARB dealer, and ask him what the best price he can do it for is? Ask if they give a cash discount - you'll be surprised how much you can sometimes save if you ask for a cash discount. Remember, most prices are based on people paying by credit card, so if you pay by cash, they get their money sooner, and with no credit card fees, so they'll usually give a cash discount. (Yes, I have a tertiary finance qualification, too! )

After you've added the cost of postage from the USA on (you have to log in to their site to check what it is, which makes me guess it's a fair bit more than the AUD$13.50 it costs if you're in the USA - rallylights wanted about AUD$95 for postage for their loom) to the AUD$56 it costs for the loom, I'd guess that an ARB loom with a discount should be more than competitive for price, and you support a Victorian company and factory. Check http://www.arb.com.au for nearby dealers. Isn't Richmond in Melbourne? Some of the other Vic sites might be close, too - as I don't live in Melbourne, and have been known to get lost in the city centre in the dark, I don't know all the suburbs, although my sister used to live there a few years ago.

[02gzm]

Thanks. The reason I prefer diode relays is because they clamp the back-emf voltage spikes from the relay coil to zero, whereas resistor relays just reduce it. They are both safe for car electronics, it's just that one's a bit safer. And what do you know, Ashdown-Ingram have got a site in Hobart, too, in the old Philips warehouse. I'll have to go and check them out - it's only a 5 minute drive away, or a 30 minute walk.

If Hobart don't have stock on something you want then Launceston probably will. If so, they can just transfer it over.

[NightKids]

Yes, I used to work almost exclusively in relay circuits, with some electronics and computerisation, about 30 years ago, so I had to know something about them.



It's OK, although they don't state if the relays are diode- or resistor-protected, and so safe with car electronics. Both the ARB and Piranha use good quality relays that are safe with car electronics. It's certainly cheap, so chances are it's made in some sweatshop somewhere - probably Mexico - they won't be paying Australian labour costs to get them made, which accounts for the price difference. The wire gauge is OK, and should easily handle up to 100W bulbs. It won't perform as well as the Piranha, which uses 10AWG wire, or probably the ARB one (I'm not sure what wire the ARB one uses, probably 5mm/12AWG or maybe even 4mm/14AWG, but as I haven't seen one, I'm guessing. I just know that 4WD forums have mentioned that the ARB one uses slightly thinner wire.)

Why don't you go around to the local ARB dealer, and ask him what the best price he can do it for is? Ask if they give a cash discount - you'll be surprised how much you can sometimes save if you ask for a cash discount. Remember, most prices are based on people paying by credit card, so if you pay by cash, they get their money sooner, and with no credit card fees, so they'll usually give a cash discount. (Yes, I have a tertiary finance qualification, too! )

After you've added the cost of postage from the USA on (you have to log in to their site to check what it is, which makes me guess it's a fair bit more than the AUD$13.50 it costs if you're in the USA - rallylights wanted about AUD$95 for postage for their loom) to the AUD$56 it costs for the loom, I'd guess that an ARB loom with a discount should be more than competitive for price, and you support a Victorian company and factory. Check http://www.arb.com.au for nearby dealers. Isn't Richmond in Melbourne? Some of the other Vic sites might be close, too - as I don't live in Melbourne, and have been known to get lost in the city centre in the dark, I don't know all the suburbs, although my sister used to live there a few years ago.

I'm doing to email them and ask if they are a diode one. If not I'll go to ARB and get some prices from them. The postage is only $15 for this harness which is ridiculously cheap compared to other US sites. If it's diode then I'll most likely pick this up. I'm looking to run the 85/80w Osram Hyper bulb as it'll give me 1750 lumens as compared to 1300 for the 65w version. I found out that my headlights are glass so it should have no melting issues, although what about the rubber grommet?

Just checked the ARB site and there seems to be no harness products listed on the site...

[Limbo]

u know if you go brighter with halegons/leds/HIDs you will still get pulled over.

[mocchi]

when talking diameter as in 6mm automotive wire, is that total diameter(wire + insulation) or just wire diameter?
also, i've read single core wires are meant for stable environment, not cars as they vibrate alot thus use insulated strands of wire (can flex better).

where can we find 10awg wire lol. ebay sells per 50m roll.

jaycar only got 8awg wire (DC power cable)
total diameter 6.5mm
wire diameter 4.05mm
wh-3060

[NightKids]

u know if you go brighter with halegons/leds/HIDs you will still get pulled over.

The aftermarket halogens are only 1700 lumens whereas HID would be about 3000 lumens. Plus the blue/white light would attract way more attention I rkn.

[VT3C]

u can get a wiring upgrade kit from ARB for about $60 I think includes everything you need.. can be used on H4 headlights also - was going to fit to my EG but I stopped working there LOL..

[mocchi]

u can get a wiring upgrade kit from ARB for about $60 I think includes everything you need.. can be used on H4 headlights also - was going to fit to my EG but I stopped working there LOL..

$60? youre joking!! lol i thought theyre abt 120-150

[NightKids]

$60 seems awfully cheap! If that's the case then I'd might as well buy local...

I emailed suvlights to ask them whether it runs a diode or resistor relay and the guy just said both? And it'll fit on all cars... Don't think this guy knows what his talking about??

[dahondr98]

when talking diameter as in 6mm automotive wire, is that total diameter(wire + insulation) or just wire diameter?
also, i've read single core wires are meant for stable environment, not cars as they vibrate alot thus use insulated strands of wire (can flex better).

It means the wire, plus the insulation - the diameter of the outside of the insulation. They are multi-strand cables - 65 strands of 0.3 mm copper.

where can we find 10awg wire lol. ebay sells per 50m roll.

Here you are - red and black 10AWG (6mm) wire, Qld seller, $2.50 per metre, sold by the metre:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DUAL-BATTERY-...item48386ab9d7

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DUAL-BATTERY-...item4836ce9e82

jaycar only got 8awg wire (DC power cable)
total diameter 6.5mm
wire diameter 4.05mm
wh-3060

Yes - you can use it, but it's a bit too thick. The same wire is also sold at Altronics and DSE. Jaycar and DSE also sell 12AWG (5mm) wire - see one of my posts above for the catalogue numbers.

[dahondr98]

I'm doing to email them and ask if they are a diode one. If not I'll go to ARB and get some prices from them. The postage is only $15 for this harness which is ridiculously cheap compared to other US sites. If it's diode then I'll most likely pick this up. I'm looking to run the 85/80w Osram Hyper bulb as it'll give me 1750 lumens as compared to 1300 for the 65w version. I found out that my headlights are glass so it should have no melting issues, although what about the rubber grommet?

You shouldn't have any problems with the rubber grommet, if you mean the rubber surround sealing off the back of the globe and headlight. It's designed to handle the heat from the headlight.

Just checked the ARB site and there seems to be no harness products listed on the site...

http://www.arb.com.au/products/ipf-l...s-accessories/

Unfortunately you can't expand the pics on the website - the printed catalogue shows them better. You can order a catalogue off them for free on the website (they also supply a list of prices to your email), or pick one up at the closest ARB store.