1st Gen Countryman (R60) Talk (2010-2015) R60 Countryman Discussions

R60 Quad Hella 500 driving lights: 1 or 2 wiring harnesses?

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Old Oct 7, 2014 | 06:54 PM
  #1  
fishbulb's Avatar
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Quad Hella 500 driving lights: 1 or 2 wiring harnesses?

Team,

Thinking about adding the middle two Hella 500 driving lights to my existing set up. The intention is that all four would light up with the high beams (as the existing two already do).

Do people run two separate harnesses and relays (one for each pair of lights), or typically piggyback all four lights off of one relay? Seems like it might be a bit of a load for the single relay (and hopefully I have put my days of flaming PIAA relays behind me!)

No big deal to run the second one, I just don't know if that is overkill.

Thanks everyone!

Jac
 
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Old Oct 7, 2014 | 08:39 PM
  #2  
SC R60's Avatar
SC R60
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Let's see. Amps = Watts / Volts so 55W/12V = 4.58A per Hella. Assuming your relay is the standard 30A variety, 4 lights should not be a problem.

Others can confirm/deny? Also make sure the main power and ground wires can handle the load. If my googling is correct, 14gauge should be safe.
 

Last edited by SC R60; Oct 7, 2014 at 08:50 PM. Reason: change a letter
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Old Oct 8, 2014 | 10:17 AM
  #3  
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Ah, good call SC R60. Math usually does make things better!

Also checked in with RallyLights.com, those guys rock. Here is their take:

"I would suggest using one harness/relay per lamp pair.

The 500FF kits each come with a harness, the wire gauge is sized to to handle two lamps.

The two harnesses could easily be operated from one switch if you choose to do it that way.

You might want the flexibility of being able to operate the lamps as pairs or light all four when you are out in the boonies.

If you wanted to operate all 4 lamps from one relayed harness, the power wires should be 12 gauge & the relay should be rated at 40 amps."
 
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Old May 16, 2020 | 09:14 AM
  #4  
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d2mini
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...
 

Last edited by d2mini; May 16, 2020 at 09:43 AM. Reason: wrong thread
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Old Jun 14, 2020 | 06:58 AM
  #5  
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bro_hof
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From: Nashville, TN
I went with 2 relays



 
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Old Jun 15, 2020 | 06:51 PM
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Nice work -- looks great.
 
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