Hi,
I am looking to wire up my spots, I want to wire them up to an "on - on" switch so they can come on with my high beam and when I flash but can also be switched on with my main beam (or side lights) to act as fog lights. I am not completely new to auto electrics but have not done this before.
I have compiled a simple wiring diagram and would just like an auto-electrician to run there eye over it to see if they find any reasons why it wouldn't work.
Cheers,
Hoss
Dual function spots
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Hoss
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Dual function spots
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jamesc76
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Re: Dual function spots
Im good with vehicle electrics but cant understand your diagram! Are the boxes relays or junction box's?
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fodtommo
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Re: Dual function spots
Agreed! the diagram is pretty hard to decipher. particularly the boxes?
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Hoss
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Re: Dual function spots
sorry chaps, the Black and red square's are just connection points boxes.
Head lights only have three wires, two live and a shared earth right? I was thinking of using the same principle. I guess it would more difficult to run the spots as fog ights with only the side lights on as it runs a different earth to the head light, is that right?
Thanks for the help too...it works in my head but thought I'd put it out there before I start hacking at wires haha
Head lights only have three wires, two live and a shared earth right? I was thinking of using the same principle. I guess it would more difficult to run the spots as fog ights with only the side lights on as it runs a different earth to the head light, is that right?
Thanks for the help too...it works in my head but thought I'd put it out there before I start hacking at wires haha
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jamesc76
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Re: Dual function spots
one thing to bear in mind that all the earths are joined together via the chassis!
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Hoss
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Re: Dual function spots
jamesc76 wrote:one thing to bear in mind that all the earths are joined together via the chassis!
ah, this would make it all a lot easier then wouldn't it James, they would only ever be either fog lamps or highbeam, so if they were on as logs and I flashed they would just stay the same, right? =]
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fodtommo
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Re: Dual function spots
Right I think the diagram ive attached is a better way of doing it - Im not even sure yours would work the way you want it to.
I am assuming you want to run 4 extra lights, I am also assuming you understand how relays work? If not just say and ill explain.
The only thing I am not sure about is that on my van the flasher is also the dipswitch?? ( I think this is a fault but maybe not???), my suggestion below is assuming that there is a seperate flash function on the dipswitch ie: unlike my van you can flash when heads are dipped rather than just selecting mainbeam!!!
However you dont need an on/off/on switch, only an on/off
You need 3 relays - this is sensible so you dont overload existing circuits.
1 off powered 'on' relay for each pair of lights (R2 and R3)
1 off powered 'off' relay for the dip cut out function.
This setup means you can turn your spots on once your side lights are on, they will cut out when dip beam is selected (this will only happen when headlights are on, not sides) the extra feed from the flasher should bring them on when you flash the headlights.
The important thing to remember is that by using the relays with their own power supply you do not overload existing which you would be in your diagram, running 4 extra lights off existing wiring. This is how fires start....
Also youll ned to fuse in the appropriate places and the right rating.
Lights are wired in series but you could go for paralell off the relays .
I may not be 100% correct in this if anyone can suggest a n improvement go for it!
I am assuming you want to run 4 extra lights, I am also assuming you understand how relays work? If not just say and ill explain.
The only thing I am not sure about is that on my van the flasher is also the dipswitch?? ( I think this is a fault but maybe not???), my suggestion below is assuming that there is a seperate flash function on the dipswitch ie: unlike my van you can flash when heads are dipped rather than just selecting mainbeam!!!
However you dont need an on/off/on switch, only an on/off
You need 3 relays - this is sensible so you dont overload existing circuits.
1 off powered 'on' relay for each pair of lights (R2 and R3)
1 off powered 'off' relay for the dip cut out function.
This setup means you can turn your spots on once your side lights are on, they will cut out when dip beam is selected (this will only happen when headlights are on, not sides) the extra feed from the flasher should bring them on when you flash the headlights.
The important thing to remember is that by using the relays with their own power supply you do not overload existing which you would be in your diagram, running 4 extra lights off existing wiring. This is how fires start....
Also youll ned to fuse in the appropriate places and the right rating.
Lights are wired in series but you could go for paralell off the relays .
I may not be 100% correct in this if anyone can suggest a n improvement go for it!
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Hoss
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Re: Dual function spots
Cheers Tommo for taking the time to redo the diagram =]
I'm going to be a pain now as I have thought about it more, I think I want them to work when main-beam is on too =/
I understand how relays work but hadn't considered overloading the circuit, good point =] I realised I wasn't clear about the spots, there are only two - the top two in my diagram are the headlights, sorry about that; guess that would be one less relay?
The dip is on the stalk with mine too and though that that i wouldn't need a live to both, if the fogs were on and I flashed / or went to high beam wouldn't it have no effect of the spots as they would already be live? I thought I would need an on - on switch to either feed the live to one or the other?
Thanks again for your time, it taking its time to get my around it - all earth to the body does make it easier as I was thinking sides and main lights were on different earths =]
Cheers Hoss
I'm going to be a pain now as I have thought about it more, I think I want them to work when main-beam is on too =/
I understand how relays work but hadn't considered overloading the circuit, good point =] I realised I wasn't clear about the spots, there are only two - the top two in my diagram are the headlights, sorry about that; guess that would be one less relay?
The dip is on the stalk with mine too and though that that i wouldn't need a live to both, if the fogs were on and I flashed / or went to high beam wouldn't it have no effect of the spots as they would already be live? I thought I would need an on - on switch to either feed the live to one or the other?
Thanks again for your time, it taking its time to get my around it - all earth to the body does make it easier as I was thinking sides and main lights were on different earths =]
Cheers Hoss
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California Dreamin
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Re: Dual function spots
You do realize spot lamps will be useless in the fog? you'll just have a wall of light blinding you...
Personally I would just have the spots coming on with the full beam via a relay.
And
don't forget fuses.
My own feelings on improving T25 lighting are you need a better dip as full beam has limited use when there is oncoming traffic.
Relays, H4 lamps (marked) and good quality bulbs will do this (Osram NightBreakers or Philips Extreme) which use the same power but give off significantly more light. Relays will ensure they are getting full voltage.
Martin
Personally I would just have the spots coming on with the full beam via a relay.
And
don't forget fuses.
My own feelings on improving T25 lighting are you need a better dip as full beam has limited use when there is oncoming traffic.
Relays, H4 lamps (marked) and good quality bulbs will do this (Osram NightBreakers or Philips Extreme) which use the same power but give off significantly more light. Relays will ensure they are getting full voltage.
Martin
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AdrianC
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Re: Dual function spots
California Dreamin wrote:You do realize spot lamps will be useless in the fog? you'll just have a wall of light blinding you...
*ding*
Main beam and/or Spots - long, thin beam of light.
Fogs - short, wide, low beam of light.
They're completely different lights, for completely different jobs.
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fodtommo
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Re: Dual function spots
OK will take a look and modify diagram accordingly but as our man above says you need to be clear - are you fitting sopts or fogs??
They are different - eg spots with main beam in the fog will be useless!
let me know and ill sort it out for you!
They are different - eg spots with main beam in the fog will be useless!
let me know and ill sort it out for you!
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Hoss
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Re: Dual function spots
cheers guys and to be honest I am not sure what they are - I bought a chrome bumper off ebay that has the lamps attached to it. There are no bulbs in he lamps either, so my honest question is.....I cannot be sure - The lenses are clear and all that is written on the glass is Halogen RG 16 and E13 in a circle. There are no makers marks or anything to suggest which they are. I think if I stick with what I had in mind then all options are covered =D
I put the same post on our local club and one member has offered to have a look for me, am not sure when that will be though. I don't want to waste anyones time but if you want to put a diagram together for me Tommo please feel free, all and any ideas are welcome.....especially since I obviously haven't a clue about it haha =]
I am hoping to buy all the bits at the end of the month before the Christmas shopping starts =\
Thanks again all.....it appears I would have blinded myself and burn't out the battlebus without your wisdom =/
I put the same post on our local club and one member has offered to have a look for me, am not sure when that will be though. I don't want to waste anyones time but if you want to put a diagram together for me Tommo please feel free, all and any ideas are welcome.....especially since I obviously haven't a clue about it haha =]
I am hoping to buy all the bits at the end of the month before the Christmas shopping starts =\
Thanks again all.....it appears I would have blinded myself and burn't out the battlebus without your wisdom =/
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Re: Dual function spots
Hoss wrote:The lenses are clear
Quite likely to be spots, then.
There's an easy way to figure it out - put some power to them, and see what happens with the light.
Fog...
Spot...
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PetenAli
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Re: Dual function spots
California Dreamin wrote:
My own feelings on improving T25 lighting are you need a better dip as full beam has limited use when there is oncoming traffic.
Relays, H4 lamps (marked) and good quality bulbs will do this (Osram NightBreakers or Philips Extreme) which use the same power but give off significantly more light. Relays will ensure they are getting full voltage.
Martin
Agree with California Dreamin' for improving light on dipped beam plus don't forget that your wiring to your lights is 22 years old and will be deteriorating . If you put a multimeter on the live dipped beam terminal at your headlights you may well find you are only getting 10 /11 volts there. If you replace the wiring with new and preferably slightly heavier wiring you should get 13.5 volts (with engine running) and therefore much brighter dipped beams with good quality bulbs.
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Re: Dual function spots
Fitting relays helps with the voltage drop too, as per wiki