anyone done a HID conversion?

[GrahamFountain]

Graham, if it's not too large, a fuse/relay box like that might fit on the N/S inner wing above the battery, perhaps? I found enough room there for a couple of individual relays on the previous Dolomite rally car, so a smallish relay box might be OK - it'd also be conveniently close to the battery and lights (i.e. short cable runs).

KRs,
I.

I'm not sure there's enough space there for that box.

BTW, where do the wires from the column switch to the lights run through the engine bay? I intend to go look when it's not raining. But considering it's the wet season in Lancashire, that could be a while.

Graham

[Carledo]

BTW, where do the wires from the column switch to the lights run through the engine bay? I intend to go look when it's not raining. But considering it's the wet season in Lancashire, that could be a while.

Graham

It all runs along the o/s chassis leg. Sidelights, headlights, indicators and horns.

Steve

[James467]

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=32242&start=450

[James467]

RUK will be at stonleigh and the NEC if you want to have a good nose and take measurements!

[GrahamFountain]

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=32242&start=450

That very clearly shows what's possible.
The tiniest complication to mounting all the relay's there is that I still want a relay on the washer pump. But maybe that's best left by the washer, so I only need to run a 12v lead from the fuse-box across the top of the bulkhead to power it, and the relay coil just connects to what was the pump feed. Maybe, if I were to relay the horns as well, a second small box on that side is also worth considering.

Graham

[James467]

The is more space there Graham, but the photos arent that good at showing it! Plus the Kenlowe has gone now as I never used it. The horn feed runs around this side so it's better to leave the horn relay in this location but if you want to relay the washers then the best option I think is to put a relay behind the glovebox inside the car.

Question - why do you want to relay the washer? I didn't bother as it's only used for short bursts I just changed the pump for a modern one as the car is used every day and don't have a problem with pressure.

[GrahamFountain]

Question - why do you want to relay the washer? I didn't bother as it's only used for short bursts I just changed the pump for a modern one as the car is used every day and don't have a problem with pressure.

There's too much contact resitance in the button to drive the motor properly, but it's okay driving a relay. Seemed an easier solution than replacing the switch unit. And I'm all for easy solutions wherever possible.

Graham

[sprint95m]

How well do they Valeo or Cibie units last nowadays?


I fitted new Cibie ones to the Sprint I had in the 90s and, whilst the light output was satisfactory,
they corroded very quickly (2 or 3 years).
Similarly I am wary of Hella, having seen the state of some on not very old BMWs in the past.


Following a recommendation from David Walker I used Jaguar XJ40 headlamps (made by Lucas).
These were about 15 years old with some dulling of their reflectors but some 9 years later were
still performing satisfactorily . Alas they have flat glass rather than domed.....
and have an eye watering cost new.




Ian.

[Carledo]

came across a Sprint recently where someone had fitted headlamp washers - complete with an 80 amp relay and a 30 amp fuse! It needed a relay of some sort, so the light washers would only work with the headlights on, but even a 20amp relay would be overkill for this!

Seriously though, i've never had a problem with a washer switch contact being so poor it can't run a pump. And if it WAS, it's a few seconds work to pry out the button and clean the contacts. I have changed out a few pumps in my time, but these are cheap and readily available. (except the VERY early production Sprint one which is like hens teeth made of unobtanium, but only a COMPLETE originality fanatic would want one of these, they are very unreliable and were replaced on the line in very short order. I have one if you're that sort of guy!)

Steve

[James467]

How well do they Valeo or Cibie units last nowadays

Good question, we shall see after a years use in RUK. I was told that the reflectors in cibie units are sprayed aluminium? So in theory they shouldn't corrode.

[GrahamFountain]

Seriously though, i've never had a problem with a washer switch contact being so poor it can't run a pump. And if it WAS, it's a few seconds work to pry out the button and clean the contacts. I have changed out a few pumps in my time, but these are cheap and readily available. (except the VERY early production Sprint one which is like hens teeth made of unobtanium, but only a COMPLETE originality fanatic would want one of these, they are very unreliable and were replaced on the line in very short order. I have one if you're that sort of guy!)

Steve

Did give it a bit clean, but it was still iffy, so I tried a relay I had and it worked. The pump's a recent NOS one, so I doubt it could be a problem - also worked straight off the battery, which is why I tried the relay when the miricle of the WD40 failed to work.

Graham

[soe8m]

Did you pop of the stalk end to clean the switch?

Jeroen

[GrahamFountain]

Did you pop of the stalk end to clean the switch?

Jeroen

Yes, but I don't know for sure it's the switch not some connector in the loom somewhere.

Graham