There are three common ways to connect extra lights to the high beam: a classic relay on the high beam wire, a CAN bus interface like CANM8 or a plug-in solution like XBB. Which one suits you depends on how new your car is and if you want to cut wires.
What is a classic relay?
A relay wiring kit takes its signal from the high beam wire at the headlight and switches the extra lights. It is the simplest and lowest cost way. Pros: low price, simple, works on most older cars. Cons: you cut or tap into the headlight wiring, and on newer cars it can trigger warning lights or not work at all.
What is CANM8?
CANM8 is a CAN bus interface that reads the high beam signal from the car’s data network through a small module. Pros: works on many cars where a relay on the headlight wire is not possible. Cons: needs a connection to the car’s wiring, often with a model-specific harness, and takes longer to fit.
What is XBB?
XBB is a dongle in the diagnostic port that reads the high beam signal and switches the lights through a wireless relay unit. Pros: no cutting into the car’s wiring, quick to fit and easy to move to a new car. Cons: higher price than a relay, and it needs to support your car model.
Which should you choose?
We sell XBB, CANM8 and classic relay kits, so we recommend what suits your car rather than one product. On an older car without a computer controlled light system, a relay is enough. On a newer car, choose XBB if it supports your model, otherwise a CAN bus interface. Ask us with your registration number and we tell you what works.
