Hella Spot Lamp issue

Stuballsed · Mar 22, 2014

Have an odd issue with some new to me old Hella Rallye spot lamps.

I have power and earth at the feed wires, and two wires coming off the bulb holder (see below). When I connect the lamps earth wire I loose earth and the lamp does not light? Tried switching wires over too as there is no clear earth/positive on the lamp holder but no difference.

What the hell is going on?

livers · Mar 22, 2014

Think your images is broked

Stuballsed · Mar 22, 2014

I'm going to cry

So, got two short lengths of wire. Connected to the bulb holder. Test on Spare battery. Bulb lights up.

Tripple check have live an earth feed from vehicle wires to lamp. All ok. Connect bulb holder. No light??

p.s. Connecting bulb holder to vehicle supply whilst not fitted to lamp, just as I did to spare battery.

p.p.s. Bulbs are 100W. Is the relay tripping out??

:violent:

monkfish24 · Mar 22, 2014

Are the terminals clean and corrosion free? Have you got good continuity from each terminal on the bulb holder down to the end of each cable.

How does the bulb holder connect to the rest of the vehicle?

Stuballsed · Mar 22, 2014

The vehicle wiring is recent and new.

Bulb holder terminals are good. It works fine when I test it on a spare battery. Ive got 13.82 volts at the vehicle wiring.

Bulb holder held into lamp with stiff wire clamp. No short circuit or earth created. But even just hanging bulb holder loose from the wires it still don't work.

I cant work out why it works wired direct to battery by not via the spot light circuit. The spot light circuit is working fine??

monkfish24 · Mar 22, 2014

Hmmmm, yeah, a bit weird, is any of the wiring getting hot?

Is there a short on the holder itself?

monkfish24 · Mar 22, 2014

Is there a voltage on the earth at all just out of curiosity?

Stuballsed · Mar 22, 2014

all seems fine. Doesn't explain why it works fine direct to a spare battery?

All I can think of is the relay is tripping out due to 100w bulb, but don't even know if a relay would do this, then work fine when I test the circuit.

Stuballsed · Mar 22, 2014

monkfish24 said:
Is there a voltage on the earth at all just out of curiosity?

No chance. Its a short wire screwed to the radiator bracket/front panel.

Or did you mean voltage on the earth of the bulb holder when connected?

monkfish24 · Mar 22, 2014

Yeah, voltage over the lamp.

dogsbody · Mar 22, 2014

Relays don't 'trip'.
Assuming that your relay(s) are clicking then I reckon that you've got an issue with the supply wiring to the relay or from relay to the lights. You might have the voltage but if you've got no current, due to a bad or corroded connection, then the lights won't light.

Stuballsed · Mar 23, 2014

Hmmm, ok just had quick play with multimeter and appear to have voltage over the bulb when connect to landy. Cant find a current though.

However, still measuring voltage over the bulb on spare battery but have about 5.5 amps and it works.

Hmmm. Must be a current issue.

Why I've got a decent voltage and no current is odd though. And why I loose earth as soon as I attach the earth lead to the bulb is also baffling.

Stuballsed · Mar 31, 2014

Well, just in case anyone is dying to know how 'm getting on;

I believe I have identified the problem. Not enough earth!

My earth point, screws on top of front panel reads fine when connected to multi meter (i.e. I get earth), but ain't good enough when the spots are connected. Found this out by touching earth point of the bonnet centre lock pin thingummy.

Odd, struggling to find a good enough earth near the spots. Even the front bumper bolts don't appear good enough.

Hmmm, never had this problem before. Another Land quirk??

McBad · Mar 31, 2014

Can't help you with your lighting problem, but I do like your avatar.

Pikey · Mar 31, 2014

Poor earths is common on spots etc Peeps forget that the earth needs to be same size cable as the live feed. A tiny screw etc int gonna give a good earth.

Hella Spot Lamp issue

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