Wiring Relays onto headlight wires

[BenW]

Right, my car has old R2 bulbs rated at 40/45W which means they're not that good. I want to put in some better bulbs but i've been told the current wiring/dash switch isn't upto the job of higher wattage bulbs.

I know i can solve this with some relays and better wiring.

I've worked out where i need to cut/add wires and where the relays/fuses go but i'm struggling to find out what diameter wire i need to install.

First of all, heres a diagram of what it will look like


Currently it has 2 wires for each headlight coming from the fusebox but to makes things easier i want to use 2 relays.

Its all 12v and the new lights will be about 60W each. Using P=IV i think this means there will be 10a drawn from the battery (This will be the max current)

So, is anyone able to recommend some wire from Maplin?

Also, i've been told to use a 30amp fuse minimum. Is this reasonable?

Would be very grateful.
Ben

EDIT: Would this be suitable? http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...0Wire&doy=7m10

[Butcher]

Yes that stuff would be more than sufficient for 60W bulbs.

[SilentDeath]

In car electrics your suppost to switch negative supply, doesnt make any difference for this circuit.. and I cant really remember why...

There will only be one fuse per circuit, not 100% sure if its on + or - for cars, but you should add another fuse for the lights (as the old fuse is now only for the relay).

you dont need to have a relay for each light, as they are only on together.

[BenW]

I've read two articles on headlight relays and both say switch the live :s

I want two relays because i need one for dipped beam and one for full beam.

And yep, ordered an inline fuse holder and 30A fuse (Apparently thats a reasonable fuse for this).

If anyone's interested i'll post the list of components i've bought