Driving lamps - wiring them in

Post by **ermie571** » 06 Feb 2006, 13:53

Hi,
Does anyone know where I can get instructions for wiring in a set of driving lights for scoobs, please?
I have the lamps, the mounts were on the bumper when she came to me, and on removing the grill, I have found a red wire running across the van, and going down to each lamp.

Any advice greatly appreciated!
thanks
Emma

Post by **banana** » 06 Feb 2006, 15:10

I bought the 4 light grille from jk's a while back and asked at the time how to wire the 2 new driving lamps. Their advice was simple as I just had to tap into the two wires to the main beam bulb ( add a connector block) and run them onto my new lights. They are the best main beams Ive ever driven with and Ive had no problems. I also put the bright white bulbs in the old lamps. ( gold pack from Halfrauds)

Post by **Horza** » 06 Feb 2006, 16:14

Use a relay. Really, use a relay for your headlights especially if you are going to hook more lamps on to the headlight supply. Use a relay or you'll be looking for a new headlight switch or worse.

Post by **Mocki** » 06 Feb 2006, 16:33

If you fit auxiliary driving lamps you should wire then so that they only illuminate when the main beam headlights are selected. You should also have a separate switch in series with the supply to the auxiliary lamps relay coil so that you can choose to operate the main beam headlights without the auxiliaries.
From the driver's viewpoint lamps are best positioned as close to eye level as possible (this is why the police hold torches in that strange way !!). They won't be as good low down
Make sure the lamps don't wobble, are aimed correctly, and check the voltage drop in the lamp supply wires when you have finished the job. A 5% reduction in voltage at the filament typically gives a 15% reduction in luminous intensity and a doubling of the lamp life !!

the wiring is exactly the same as the split charge sytem, (wiki) you just read the leisure battery as the lamps, and take the signal from the main beam not the alternator.

Post by **ROBS T25** » 07 Feb 2006, 06:51

nice one was thinking of wiring my 2 spot lamps up next to my lower grille but wasnt to sure how to go about it but this all seems easy enough any idea wewr i can locate a relay to do the job from?? cheers ROB!!

Post by **ermie571** » 07 Feb 2006, 07:04

Thanks for the advice - sounds great, and not too ocmplicated. Just don't understna dthe relay business - but will put one in! What do I ask for, and where do I get it? ill my local Maplin sell them and the necessary switch?
sorry for all the questions, but the answers are great!
Emma

Post by **banana** » 07 Feb 2006, 10:54

Horza wrote:Use a relay. Really, use a relay for your headlights especially if you are going to hook more lamps on to the headlight supply. Use a relay or you'll be looking for a new headlight switch or worse.

Are the standard headlights not on a relay already if not why not and what will happen to my switch or worse please explain.

Post by **mike the van** » 07 Feb 2006, 13:24

Vw in their infinite wisdom didn't put relays in for the headlights on quite a few early Golfs & Polo's . Some manuals suggest they did, but I not found a relay yet.
Upgrade the bulbs or add in an extra set of spots and the contacts in the main light switch on the dash can not cope with extra load and can melt and if like my C reg Polo you can't switch the lights off except by disconnecting the battery and the switch. Then go and buy a new switch !!!
A lesson hard learnt

Mike 1491

Post by **futurecut** » 07 Feb 2006, 15:36

just did this on me van with £10 bargain fogs off ebay- all stuff from Maplin. Relay £1.75 if i remember. (30A automotive) Make sure to use wire of the correct rating (20A) for the lamps side. You'll also need the yellow lucar connectors (spades) and possibly round crimp terminals for earthing. Soldering all the wires at the crimp terminals is a good idea but easier done after you've worked out how long the lengths you'll need are. I didn't bother but will remove and do it if my connections become poor. Mine were fogs and i ran the relay power from a redundant positive i found behind my radio which sometimes sparked away. I reckon was a good idea to put an inline 15A fuse also, just in case. She looks mean now.....

Post by **Simon Baxter** » 07 Feb 2006, 19:19

http://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/prod/di ... adlamp.htm