I get to do my 2nd EBH Install.

I haven't had the problem, but I've thought about the possibility.

You may only need to replace the plug. The strain relief area does get a lot of tugging day after day. You could also check that the resistance of the EBH is about 32 ohms. (and not a dead short.)

Routing the cable took me longer than the EBH install itself.

 

Do you have to raise the car up to install the EBH? I've been thinking about installing mine before winter sets in.

 

Yes, unless you are unusually thin you should need to raise the front end up.

 

If you raise up the front...can you install EBH from below with out taking out the wiper tray and all that to come in from the top?

 

Yes. Removing the wipers is unnecessary. You DO have to remove the plastic cover over the radiator area, but only to route the power cable once the EBH installation is completed.

 

Did you have to use two jacks to lift the front up entirely?

 

I would never crawl under a car supported only by jacks. Jack up one side, put a jackstand under the wheel, jack up the other side, put a jackstand under the other wheel. Or, get some ramps and drive up onto them.

 

Several of the installs I've done have had this happen. It appears the cord just behind the strain relief is a weak point. Now I use a wire tie and fasten the extra wire loom I use to the strain relief as an extra measure. Also I now teach everyone to hold the EBH plug solid against the car body the plug/unplug the extension cord.

Wayne

 

Any chance you could post a picture of how you have the end attached to the grill? I can see this problem cropping up for me in the future and I'd sure like to avoid it. I'm not sure I understand exactly what you do to prevent it.

 

Almost the exact same thing happened to one of ours last week. The plug was melted badly, fortunately my wife noticed before grabbing a hot wire and unplugged the extension cord at the other end instead. I clipped the plug off with the intention of just buying and installing a new one from Home Depot, Lowes, etc.

Seems odd that it could be that weak there, though I have heard of others failing. Ours was installed in March, so was only 7 months old, though used just about every day.

Zhe Wiz

 

I think I'm going to take another look at my installation and try to change things to avoid this problem.

 

If my picture uploads, this extender may be helpful.


These can be bought online at Cyberguys.com - Computer Parts, Cables and Accessories. Hard to Find Computer Parts

 

I like it. I might see if I have something like that kicking around in my office computer junk drawers.

 

Aces,

The 14 gauge carries 15 Amps. 16 gauge should be sufficient. It is rated at 6 Amps and the EBH draws only 3.5 Amps. 18 AWG is definitely too small however.

I haven't run across anyone who has taken and uploaded good pics of their power cord plug end installation. I tried it myself, but the lighting (sunlight) concealed more than it revealed. Mine is well secured to the lowest horizontal grille bar, but it juts out like a dog's tongue.

 

Aces,

Your setup looks good. (Nice pics too) But doesn't that interfere with grille blocking? Or don't you block your grille?

The EBH and grille blocking work well together.

Attached is my plug install just to show a different option. I cross-tywrapped the plug body (not the strain relief) to the grille next to the foglight. The pipe insulation blocking the grille is obvious.