Headlight wiring upgrade in a Defender

**dmdigital** · 24th February 2007, 04:20 PM

drivesafe does that headlight wiring upgrade kit and I'm looking at getting it from him. Just wondering though where anyone has fitted the relay and fuses in a Defender Tdi??

I'm a bit concerned about dust, heat and moisture on the fuse/relay block and a suitable way of protecting it. Unprotected fuse blocks I have found don't really last to well in the conditions up here.

**incisor** · 24th February 2007, 05:21 PM

i fitted it all in my disco and it hasnt had a problem.... and i have been thru a hell of a lot of dust etc

only thing i had a problem was where the fitting that goes into the original headlight socket fits, i had to tighten the sockets just a few weeks ago... other than that it has been superb...

about to order one for the fender as well when it gets here...

**dmdigital** · 24th February 2007, 05:29 PM

Inc: Where do you have the relay/fuses mounted in the Disco?

My issue is where to put it in a more protected location on the Defender whilst still being close to the front of the vehicle. The other option I'm think of is 2 relays and 2 water proof fuse holders.

**JDNSW** · 24th February 2007, 06:59 PM

110, not a Defender, but fairly similar. I have mounted the relay(actually a double fused relay) on the inner mudguard, just behind the LH headlamp, sort of tucked in under the outer guard.
Been there for around five or six years without any signs of problems.

**rangieman** · 24th February 2007, 07:04 PM

I made a exact copy of drivesafes setup and my 4 relays are mounted on the lip of the mud gaurds each side of the engine bay

just do it a great mod for a defender

**dmdigital** · 24th February 2007, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by rangieman

I made a exact copy of drivesafes setup and my 4 relays are mounted on the lip of the mud gaurds each side of the engine bay

just do it a great mod for a defender

Sounds like where I have my driving light relays already. Mounted on the lip of the guard near the water bottle. They're all waterproof fittings though and this is what I think I need for the relay fuses.

**incisor** · 24th February 2007, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by dm_td5

Inc: Where do you have the relay/fuses mounted in the Disco?

My issue is where to put it in a more protected location on the Defender whilst still being close to the front of the vehicle. The other option I'm think of is 2 relays and 2 water proof fuse holders.

on the inner guard, along side the coolant tank. the relay/fuse assembly is one unit very similar to the "new era" units.

had mine wet at least three times in the wild and numerous times when cleaning down and havent had an issue....

**dmdigital** · 25th February 2007, 08:33 AM

My problem is more 8 months of high to extreme humidity and lots of dust and heat. A periodic wash down wouldn't be an issue and I could live with that.

I know from experience that fuseable relays don't last up this way any more than a year. I had them on the driving lights on my D1 and had to replace them because the fuse component of the relay corroded.

**incisor** · 25th February 2007, 09:35 AM

you have had a new era relay play up ?

**dmdigital** · 25th February 2007, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by incisor

you have had a new era relay play up ?

No they were Hella and Bosch ones. Been thinking about it (whilst swearing at the front door panel - see other thread) and I think what drivesafe suggested might be the go. If I paint it with Lanotec it will seal the fuses in. I also thought I moight just silastic over the fuses, this would be easily removed.

Looking at a wiring and thinking 2 relays, 2 fuse holders, 2 battery wires... all I could think was that's a stupid way to go!

If there was the same New Era relay without the fuses that would be the best option and then just add 2 inline waterproof fuses to the system.

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