cable

[Meggie moggy]

Hi all
I am in need of a scrap loom just the front section (under dash to engine bay) as I am in the process of fitting relays to the head lights after a meltdown and want to try to keep the cable colours the same if possible.

[svenedin]

Why do you need relays for headlamps? If you have to replace cable you should definitely keep the same colours. The standard used is BS-AU7. This company, and others, supplies cables in many colours with trace and you can buy just 1 metre of cable. https://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk

Or you can take cable from within an old loom that is in good condition which I presume is what you are going to do?

Before replacing any damaged cable you definitely need to be sure what the original fault was.

Stephen

[Meggie moggy]

Hi Stephen
I have halogen headlights and after driving home the other week on high beam the headlight switch overheatedand failed due to the increase in load (approx 13A) through a genuine Lucas switch which is rated yo 10A
I have tried the company that you suggested and they have the colours I need but only up to 2mm and the cable in the loom appears to be about 4mm, I'm only doing this to reduce the load across the switch also LED headlights are not a option as I just do not like them though I have changed everything for LED.

[svenedin]

Hello. Ah I see. I don’t know much about electrics. I think you have posted this in the wrong place on the forum. Could a moderator move this to electrical please? People who can help you will then see your post.

You would need to use cable that is rated correctly for the load in amps and the same with the switch. The standard halogen bulbs are 60w so 2x 60w=120. To work out the current, 120/12 = 10 amps. The sealed beams are actually slightly higher wattage at 65w. So on high beam your 10 amp switch is at maximum capacity with no margin of error at all. With sealed beams the switch would be overloaded. I wonder what the original switch was rated at? Perhaps somebody will know.

My loom is elderly. I had sealed beam headlights which I thought were fine for many many years but now my eyes are getting older I have changed to LED. I agree they look different (the light is whiter, the sealed beams are quite yellow in comparison). The advantage is that the current draw is much lower and I can see where I am going too! I used LED headlight bulbs that are a direct swap for halogen with no additional wiring or ballast. As easy as changing a bulb


Stephen

[chrischris59]

As you have posted in the correct place what kind of lengths are you looking at? I have about 5' lengths of the three lighting cables plus various other lengths from stripped out looms. Also have you already bought the relays as I have a couple of fused ones going spare.

Chris

[Meggie moggy]

Hi Chris
I have sent you a PM
Steve