 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Replacement headlight harness - Highly recommended |
 
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| ZeDefender Member Since: 15 Sep 2011 Location: Munich Posts: 4731   
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Just thought I'd share this with you all:
I just got round to "properly" fitting a replacement headlight harness taking power directly from the starter battery: https://shop.landreiziger.nl/lichtversterk...elaar.html I know the site is in Dutch but it's just a case of a few plugs, cable to the battery and earth to the body - making your own would also be simple but I'm lazy 
Apart from relieving the headlight switch (no more melting), it has also eliminated flickering with my LED lights when parked/starting etc. (due to undervoltage). I measured the voltage at the headlight connectors (LEDs connected) with the standard harness and with the replacement. Although the Scangauge (ECU) said 11.8V with engine off, the voltage at the lights (standard) was only 11.1V! With the new harness it's...11.8V 
Bearing in mind these are LED lights with low current draw, think what a difference that could make with Halogens 
It's a dead easy conversion and now on my list of essential Defender upgrades. I'm sure there are loads of other kits out there - mine was p!ss easy to install (1 hour tops). I might take some pics with a "how to" if anyone is interested (but only when this  miserable weather clears up...
 Matt Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing... |
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17th Jan 2014 9:21am |
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| geobloke Member Since: 06 Nov 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 4410 
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I remember being highly jealous of a friend of mine, he had a Series IIa with four headlights. all of which were wired through relays from the battery. The light that came off them was just phenomenal and they were sealed beam units too. The light that came off of my defenders H4 headlights was decidedly pathetic in comparison...
I think the guys "down under" do this mod a lot due to the melting light switch. Which I have just had to replace... |
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17th Jan 2014 1:05pm |
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| ericvv Member Since: 02 Jun 2011 Location: Near the Jet d'Eau Posts: 5816  
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Matt, any possibility for you to give more detail of the installation, maybe a step by step how to.....?
Rgds, Eric You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation. http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I https://vimeo.com/201482507 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw |
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17th Jan 2014 1:26pm |
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| Diablo Member Since: 26 Oct 2011 Location: Basingstoke Posts: 335 
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http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic25376.html
look here for my guide on how to do it all yourself. No real need for a kit imo. |
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17th Jan 2014 1:36pm |
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| ZeDefender Member Since: 15 Sep 2011 Location: Munich Posts: 4731
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Sure thing
Bear in mind this is for LHD. I think just mirroring it would work for RHDs. 1) Locate a position for the relay assembly and earthing point: I just used an existing wing-bolt for earth (I know it works as I used it for the HeatShot). I set a rivnut into an existing hole nextdoor to mount the relay assembly: [URL=]  Click image to enlarge[/URL] Using the Landreiziger harness and Speaker 8700s (they have some cable length themselves), this position was exactly right for everything to reach. However, for standard lights with bulbs the assembly should be further forward (about a foot) - make sure to check! 2) Extend the live cable to reach the battery (the instructions say use the alternator but this isn't practical on the Puma. For example, here's how I routed mine (next to the HeatShot). Ignore the big coil of red wire - I mean the ones going down: [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] It enters the battery box through the same rubber grommet as the earth cable and screws onto the positive terminal: [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] 3) Remove both headlamps so you can get at the connectors. 4) From the harness relays come three cables - two short and the other long. Feed the short ones into the cavity behind the headlamp on the relay side. Simply disconnect the headlamp and reconnect it to the (power) socket at the end of one short cable and connect the original plug to the relays via the socket on the other short cable. You can see one of the cable connectors sitting far left: [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] 5) The long cable goes under the fan, across, and up: [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] and into the headlamp cavity on the other side: [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] Simple reconnect the lamp to the harness socket and leave the original socket free. 6) Re-fit the lights, make sure none of the cables chafe and off you go. Sorry not everything is photographed but I just aligned the lights and don't want to disturb them. It was pretty self-evident where to route the cables and there is plenty of space to get behind the lights. Also there are plenty of existing pipe/cable mountings etc. to attach them to and keep them tidy. To be honest, it's one of the jobs I've put off the longest but one of the easiest I've done
Cheers, Matt Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing... |
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17th Jan 2014 3:18pm |
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| LR90XS2011 Member Since: 05 Apr 2011 Location: bickenhill Posts: 3641 
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thanks for that I have a kit to fit just waiting for a dry day DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS,
I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy |
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17th Jan 2014 5:13pm |
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| geobloke Member Since: 06 Nov 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 4410
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where did you get yours from?
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17th Jan 2014 6:57pm |
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| ericvv Member Since: 02 Jun 2011 Location: Near the Jet d'Eau Posts: 5816
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Matt, thanks very much. On my to do list for this spring
You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation.
http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I https://vimeo.com/201482507 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw |
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17th Jan 2014 7:00pm |
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| ZeDefender Member Since: 15 Sep 2011 Location: Munich Posts: 4731
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I got the one from the dutch link above: https://shop.landreiziger.nl/lichtversterk...elaar.html I know you can DIY it cheaper but it's nicely made (all connectors are high-quality) and sufficiently idiot-proof for me. Instructions are not necessary. Also the guys there speak English Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing... |
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17th Jan 2014 7:38pm |
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| LR90XS2011 Member Since: 05 Apr 2011 Location: bickenhill Posts: 3641
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ditto DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS,
I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy |
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17th Jan 2014 7:51pm |
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| WelshGas Member Since: 01 Oct 2010 Location: Vale of Glamorgan Posts: 935  
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+1
LANDYWATCH
Neighbourhood Watch for Land Rover Owners http://www.landywatch.co.uk/smf2/index.php |
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17th Jan 2014 9:50pm |
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| NoDo$h Member Since: 18 Aug 2007 Location: Buried in deer guts in Dorset Posts: 972 
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Yup, fitted the same kit, definitely recommended.
54 Freelander modded for mud 2008 D3 SE 2010 90 XS SW 1978 88 Series 3 undergoing surgery with a new owner 2007 90 County Truck Cab - gone 2006 D3 SE - gone 2004 Freelander Sport - gay 1999 Disco V8 ES rotted to bits |
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17th Jan 2014 10:35pm |
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| bob neville Member Since: 30 Apr 2009 Location: Marbella Posts: 3248  
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Does anybody in the UK sell the landreiziger harness or is best to get directly from Holland ?
Bob 2015 Jaguar XE240 R Sport - goes like ....... !! 2013 Defender 90 CSW - sold 2009 Defender 110 Double Cab - sold 2001 TD5 90 CSW - offroad project - sold to a forum member 2011 Porsche Boxster - for the sunny days ! |
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18th Jan 2014 11:55am |
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| WelshGas Member Since: 01 Oct 2010 Location: Vale of Glamorgan Posts: 935
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Getting it from Holland was quick and painless. Couldn't find anyone in the UK, but that was about 18mths ago. I think they originally came from a Swedish maker, but they don't sell on-line.
LANDYWATCH
Neighbourhood Watch for Land Rover Owners http://www.landywatch.co.uk/smf2/index.php |
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18th Jan 2014 1:12pm |
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