Anyone installed a VW Heritage hard start relay?

[lcfmonkey]

I've bought one but the Internet has made me paranoid...
Lots of other kits have a 15amp fuse but the Heritage one doesn't, is it a necessity or am I ok without one? Also the supplied wires are not long enough to position it in the engine bay, will it be a disaster to fit it near the starter but exposed to the elements?
If anyone has any photos of theirs I'd be grateful for a look!

Cheers
Monkey

 

[mike202]

I bought a relay off fleabay with a 30 amp plug in fuse in it. I read that up to 30 amps can flow to the starter. I see some kits supply 15amp fuses though. You could always add an inline fuse. A fuse will protect the circuit in case of a short circuit.

I wouldn't put it under the bus as it could fail early due to wet etc off the road. The best place is in the engine bay between the Batt and the route to starter motor.

here's mine, I put it where the voltage regulator was before I got an alternator;

 

[gvee]

Let me start with saying: I am no electrician!!

But my understanding is this: you are fine to run it un-fused, as long as the maximum amperage of the relay is less than that of the starter motor i.e. it will fail first if there's a surge. Basically, it will be performing the act of a fuse if required. If that bothers you, chuck an inline fuse in, or purchase one of the fused relay blocks (e.g. http://www.autosparks.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1283" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false [aside: AutoSparks.co.uk is where I bought my kit from - great service and prices]

Personally I have a little fusebox fitted to the wheel arch for my hot-start relay, split charger and fuel pump relays, all fused up.

 

[Alex VW Heritage]

You can run an inline fuse if you want but not 100% necessary for the reasons above.

I have mine fitted close to the starter under the van, I did bag and cable tie it up and then bag again to keep the worst of the water and crud off the relay.

 

[gvee]

When I bought my van it was underneath all bagged up.
Was a massive headache when it failed because we had no idea about it! :lol:
For that reason only we moved it to the engine bay

 

[lcfmonkey]

Cheers for the replies! I'm going bag it and stick it near the starter motor for now then move it next winter when I get the engine out!

Thanks again
Monkey