Plug for the GS Headlight Relay Kit

[dantye]

IAP just announced a complete kit for 39.95 + shipping. You can review their instructions on-line before buying.

Link: http://www.international-auto.com/iap-h ... de-kit.cfm

[spiderrey]

IAP,s kit looks bulky and not pleasant to look at. Just my opinion. I personally like mods that make things look less cluttered. To each his owen though.

[wikkid]

Best just to buy a Pininfarina Spider, then, with the headlight relays built in with the rest under the glove box (gloat, gloat)

[dantye]

Best just to buy a Pininfarina Spider, then, with the headlight relays built in with the rest under the glove box (gloat, gloat)

But ... if I didn't want a project, maybe I should have just purchased a Miata?

(But it just SOUNDS Italian - like Bugatti !)

BTW: I am hoping I will be able to hide the IAP relays up behind the aftermarket washer fluid reservoir I have installed. There is quite a gap there. (Ref. later engine photo in album linked below.)

[spiderrey]

Didnt know the later cars didnt have this problem. Wasnt trying to knock the product, just not for me. Miata is not for me, would rather tinker with my Fiats all weekend. Thats half the fun..

[dantye]

Didnt know the later cars didnt have this problem. Wasnt trying to knock the product, just not for me. Miata is not for me, would rather tinker with my Fiats all weekend. Thats half the fun..

Oh, my 81 Spider FI has the headlight problem alright, that is why I just ordered the IAP kit. I also had to rebuild both tail light circuit boards. And you are right about tinkering being half the fun - maybe more than half, up here in the frozen tundra.

[wikkid]

Yeah, even with headlight relays already there, there is plenty of other work to be done just about anywhere you look!

[gregorysmith]

Hi Folks,

First thanks for the nice words about my relay kit.

Just a detail to know when considering relay kits and /or doing this yourself... The IAP "kit" is a stock, off-the-shelf kit that isn't specifically tailored to Spiders. Also, notice that it uses 16g wire. Not sure how well that would work with 80w/100 bulbs for instance.

Thanks,
Gregory Smith

[dantye]

Just an update from my January 2011 post:

I have had the IAP relay kit installed throughout this driving season we have made several night trips. Lights are very bright and steady, but not the blinding "purple stars" that make oncoming drivers crazy. My advice is: Make the relay upgrade and use the practical and inexpensive Wagner sealed beam halogens. Doing the upgrade is much more important than which kit or plans you use. It a REAL SAFETY IMPROVEMENT. I am a retired electronics teacher and could have "home brewed" a set-up, but a kit made it much easier. I expect Greg's kit will do the same.

[whiterabbit]

Very interesting. The biggest turnoff for me about the IAP kit is the small gauge wire it uses. I'm running Ecode shells (Auto Pals) with Ultra stars. Big improvement! I've read up on the problem of pulling all that current through the ignition switch and little light switch. Not alot of voltage reaches the lights and possible overheating/cooking the switches.
The Daniel Stern site is a must read concerning lighting. http://www.danielsternlighting.com
What gauge wire do you use in you kit and you still make them?

[gregorysmith]

What gauge wire do you use in you kit and you still make them?

Hi, my kit uses 12g wire for power supply to the relays and from the relays to the headlights. The other circuits for the relay coil are smaller. I still make them to order, with the appropriate connectors for a given Spider model year.

Some things have been updated. Originally I soldered the connections on the first few kits, but now I have a professional ratcheting crimp tool that makes better connections. Due to increasing PayPal fees and materials costs, the price has gone up some since this thread was started; the kit is now $75 USPS Priority paid to anywhere in the US. I hope it can stay at or below that price but it seems like costs only go up not down. I do accept Paypal as I mentioned, or personal check. The instructions I supply are Spider specific, so there's that.

The IAP kit already mentioned will protect your ignition and headlight switches from heavy headlight circuit loads if installed correctly, but in my opinion is not designed to accommodate hi-output lighting above standard sealed halogen lights. The $10-$15 sealed halogens available at most auto parts stores range from 35W-45W. H4 setups usually start with 55W/60 so already you might be overloading the smaller 16g wires of the IAP kit. By using 12g wire you can run 80W/100 bulbs or better. These are technically illegal for road use, but if properly aimed work well. Note the hefty size (roughly 12g) of the stock wiring.

I don't want to be a pest here going on and on about my kit, so I'm trying to just offer accurate information for those interested. Hopefully I'm not being too pushy.

[dantye]

Not a pest at all - sounds like just what folks need to know!

[aj81spider]

I'm with Dantye - the relay upgrade makes a huge difference. I also have the IAP kit and it changed driving at night from a scary experience to a much more relaxed one.

One comment - While 12 AWG wire will have a little less voltage drop, at the lengths we're talking about it is negligible. With 100 watt bulbs you are drawing roughly 9 amps which is well within the specs for 16 AWG wire.

Not disparaging either kit - pick one and go - but I don't think the 16 AWG on the IAP is a big deal.

[Adam]

One of the first things I did was out in a GS relay kit. It could not have been easier and made a world of difference. Which ever kit you buy, jut make sure you buy one... and then swap in some H4 bulbs and housings.

[WYSpider]

Just installed the GS relay kit on my 1980 spider. I sent Gregory a picture of my current wiring and he sent me a plug and play solution.

Very high quality construction. Easy to follow instructions.

Would definitely spend the extra money and buy the GS kit.