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Hey guys, I'm planning to upgrade my headlites to something much brighter. Just curious to know what you guys have found to work well in a Tiger 1A. Thanks.
Bill in Ohio
Bill in Ohio
Modern Headlite Question
- Thread starter Ohio Tiger
- Start date
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Headlights
The previous owner of my Tiger had installed H4 headlights with a clear lense which I did not like. I replaced with Sylvania Ultrabrites which are halogen, but look more stock and are seen better during the day as I also use them as daytime running lights.
However, the most important part of the update is to install headlight relays so that you don't loose the voltage, and put a overload on the existing 2 fuses and make the headlights much brighter. If you use a one piece relay kit, you will have to cut the wires that go through the headlight fender bucket and re-splice as the hole is too small for the headlight plug to pass through.
The previous owner of my Tiger had installed H4 headlights with a clear lense which I did not like. I replaced with Sylvania Ultrabrites which are halogen, but look more stock and are seen better during the day as I also use them as daytime running lights.
However, the most important part of the update is to install headlight relays so that you don't loose the voltage, and put a overload on the existing 2 fuses and make the headlights much brighter. If you use a one piece relay kit, you will have to cut the wires that go through the headlight fender bucket and re-splice as the hole is too small for the headlight plug to pass through.
JW Speaker?
Hi Bill,
the tiger uses a very common headlight size of 7"
You could use quite a few more modern alternatives like VW Golf MK2 and Landrover defender H4 units.
Or completely go nuts and install these:
http://www.jwspeaker.com/other/8700evolution
Not looking much period correct but sertainly cleans the leane
Greetings from Germany,
Thibaut
Hi Bill,
the tiger uses a very common headlight size of 7"
You could use quite a few more modern alternatives like VW Golf MK2 and Landrover defender H4 units.
Or completely go nuts and install these:
http://www.jwspeaker.com/other/8700evolution
Not looking much period correct but sertainly cleans the leane
Greetings from Germany,
Thibaut
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- 4,336
Many of the modern 7'lights have quite a flat lens to them.. so they look a bit odd on our cars.. especially if you run the non peaked (MKII style) headlight rims.
I have seen there is a complany inthe Uk selling 7"halogens and Hi4 lenses with a curved face so they look stock.
I have seen there is a complany inthe Uk selling 7"halogens and Hi4 lenses with a curved face so they look stock.
- Messages
- 28
Headlights stuck on
If memory serves our cars do have relays for the headlights, and my car has Hellas and I am pretty sure my relays or something else have welded (quite possibly Ralph Nader broke into my garage and decided I needed daytime running lights) so has anybody seen this happen before, or have a relay number I can replace
thanks
Gary:O
If memory serves our cars do have relays for the headlights, and my car has Hellas and I am pretty sure my relays or something else have welded (quite possibly Ralph Nader broke into my garage and decided I needed daytime running lights) so has anybody seen this happen before, or have a relay number I can replace
thanks
Gary:O
- Messages
- 406
There are no relays in the stock electrical system. Just a headlight switch on the instrument panel and a heavy duty 'dipper switch' that is controlled by the drivers foot. Those are the only two moving parts of the system. If something is "welded" then that's where you would need to look.
Because of the location of the foot switch, it is prone to corrosion and contamination from dust/dirt/mud/moisture etc. Often times the connections become compromised. The function of either switch can be verified with a simple test lamp or an inexpensive multi-meter.
A single or double relay setup can be very effective in eliminating a large system loading if using higher than normal draw headlights. Iif dedicated fuses are added, the chances of having a harness meltdown are significantly reduced also.
Hope this helps...
-Kevin
Because of the location of the foot switch, it is prone to corrosion and contamination from dust/dirt/mud/moisture etc. Often times the connections become compromised. The function of either switch can be verified with a simple test lamp or an inexpensive multi-meter.
A single or double relay setup can be very effective in eliminating a large system loading if using higher than normal draw headlights. Iif dedicated fuses are added, the chances of having a harness meltdown are significantly reduced also.
Hope this helps...
-Kevin
- Messages
- 28
Thank you, I appear to have two relays up near the clutch reservoir I don't remember them from before ( I sold this car 28 years ago, and just repurchased it) hopefully I can figure this out. I will start with the dimmer switch and work from there. For years while teaching Pilots electrical systems, I always joked about that one company hired the guy fired for incompetence at Lucas.... Maybe the Prince is coming back to haunt me
No Relays
As pointed out in other replies, there are no relays in the headlight circuits. Attached is a copy of the Mk 1A wiring diagram. As one can see, the power to the headlights goes like this: Ignition Switch post 1 => Control Box post B => Lighting Switch post 1 => (When switched on) Lighting Switch post 8 => Dipper Switch => Main Beams (Bright) or Dipped Beams on headlights.
By the way, C.A.T. sells nice laminated copies of the wiring diagrams for either the dash only or for the whole car. Not a bad thing to put on the wall in the garage! You can find the C.A.T. Home web page by clicking on the link at the very bottom of the page.
As pointed out in other replies, there are no relays in the headlight circuits. Attached is a copy of the Mk 1A wiring diagram. As one can see, the power to the headlights goes like this: Ignition Switch post 1 => Control Box post B => Lighting Switch post 1 => (When switched on) Lighting Switch post 8 => Dipper Switch => Main Beams (Bright) or Dipped Beams on headlights.
By the way, C.A.T. sells nice laminated copies of the wiring diagrams for either the dash only or for the whole car. Not a bad thing to put on the wall in the garage! You can find the C.A.T. Home web page by clicking on the link at the very bottom of the page.
- Messages
- 28
Thanks for that Dave, it's been 28 years since I have had the pleasure of this Tiger, I have to wake up old brain cells