Thread: New Era twin headlight relays - are they still good today?

Funny you should mention them. I found a new old stock one of these in my garage recently. It was going to go into my ‘86 RRC some years ago. I sold it in 2002 after I got my P38A.

Hi Lionel, I have been supplying the New Era relays with my headlight kits for over 20 years now and the failure rate is still very low and a lot better than so called headlight relays.

One of the main advantages of these relays is the ability to easily clean them.

Just hose them down and alls well.

The biggest drawback with ready made headlight kits is that they use pathetically thin wiring.

They use wiring that is capable of carrying the current required but they fail to allow for voltage drop.

With any headlights, the higher the VOLTAGE at the globe, the brighter the light will be.

So you need to consider both the type of relays and the size of the cable, to get the best results.

Originally Posted by drivesafe

Hi Lionel, I have been supplying the New Era relays with my headlight kits for over 20 years now and the failure rate is still very low and a lot better than so called headlight relays.

One of the main advantages of these relays is the ability to easily clean them.

Just hose them down and alls well.

The biggest drawback with ready made headlight kits is that they use pathetically thin wiring.

They use wiring that is capable of carrying the current required but they fail to allow for voltage drop.

With any headlights, the higher the VOLTAGE at the globe, the brighter the light will be.

So you need to consider both the type of relays and the size of the cable, to get the best results.

Hello Drivesafe,

Yes, back in the 1980s it was New Era relays and one size of cable more than "OMG, that is some really thick wire" as the general rule of thumb.

Kind regards
Lionel

Used them in rangie….6mm feed to relay…. 4mm to close headlight…… 5mm to far headlight…..14.1v at globes with engine running (was mid 11’s)…. Very noticeable improvement with std 55/60 globes in round hella housings

Originally Posted by drivesafe

So you need to consider both the type of relays and the size of the cable, to get the best results.

Interesting topic.

I took my Discovery 1 for rego inspection - it passed - but with some criticism of brightness and alignment of lights. Hmmm. Later that evening put a line on the wall and set the vehicle back recommended distance - could not find a problem with brightness and alignment.

Few weeks later took the 1990 Toyota Troopy for rego inspection - it passed - but with no comment on the pathetic lights, equivalent output of two birthday candles. I asked. Was told that Toyota comes from the factory with undersized wires (dim lights) and run both lights through one relay. Because its factory they don't fault them.

Glad you brought this up, Lionel. I'd forgotten these. I reckon one would be ideal for my OKA. It's sorta like a big Deefer, only less aerodynamic..... and the headlights are about as feeble as the sealed beams in a Prince of Darkness powered SII.

Boy, there seem to be some knock-offs around.

Originally Posted by Tins

Glad you brought this up, Lionel. I'd forgotten these. I reckon one would be ideal for my OKA. It's sorta like a big Deefer, only less aerodynamic..... and the headlights are about as feeble as the sealed beams in a Prince of Darkness powered SII.

Boy, there seem to be some knock-offs around.

Hello Tins,

Yes - lots of knock offs. The genuine New Era ones have 'made in Japan' written on the relay itself and New-Era ニューエラー written on the box.

Kind regards
Lionel

Originally Posted by Rick1970

Used them in rangie….6mm feed to relay…. 4mm to close headlight…… 5mm to far headlight…..14.1v at globes with engine running (was mid 11’s)…. Very noticeable improvement with std 55/60 globes in round hella housings

With defenders, because the battery is so far from the lights, I supply two lengths of 8B&S ( 7.9mm2 x 2 ) cable. One for the headlight circuit and one for the driving lights.