Automatic/Manual Driving Lights Wiring

[gr_diver]

I am posting this just for reference, as it is propably known. It might be useful in the future for everybody who will be looking for wiring aftermarket driving lights.

CHECK YOUR LOCAL LAWS CONCERNING AUXILIARY LIGHTS OPERATION

It is a nice circuit that provides two ways to operate your added driving lights.

1) In combination with high beams, so you can "kill them all" at once when meeting oncoming traffic.
2) Manual On/Off

It utilises a plain automotive relay, and a 3 position switch, with the center position off.


The picture is self explanatory, but for more information visit:

http://www.6066gmcguy.org/drvlites.htm

as this is where the picture came from...

[blancojp]

Kool little circuit!
I was at your site as well and saw the other circuit with the solenoid as well. Perhaps I can offer you a sugestion:

On the first and second circuits, the switch draws power directly from the fuse box in automatic and from the headlights in manual mode. You are protecting the supply wiring going to the new lights but the supply to the switch is not protected on either side.

Adding a fuse on your supply wiring will reduce the chance of a burn out.

[namba209]

If I'm reading the schematic correctly, that circuit is illegal here in the States. Driving lites/fog lites cannot to be used in conjunction with the hi-beams. All the factory installed lites are available only when used with the lo-beam headlites.

[gr_diver]

blancojp: this is not my web, nor it's contents mine... You are right about the fusing part, this is how I did it in my car...

namba209: I am not familiar with your local laws, if so, ok. Here, in Greece, driving lights should be energized by the high-beam, in order to be able to turn them all off at once when meeting traffic. As for fog lights, we have to have them completely independent from any factory lights, since their function is very specific (FOG ONLY), and depending on the fog's density, low-beams might be either beneficial or not...

[2 Fast 4 U]

Here in Holland, extra high beam lights must turn off when the high beam lights are turned off, as with the fog lights there is som discusion about the fog lights being on when the low beam lights are on, I just made it that the low beam lights have to be on to make the fog lights work. When the fog lights are needed I switch them on and the low beam lights go off, the same goes for the rear fog light.

[pvcar]

ive always done it so u can have them come on with the high beams as well as just turn them on whenever u want , it may be illegal, but if u aint cheatin u aint trying.

[blancojp]

Sorry about the "web site" comment but what I ment was I went to the address you had posted.

You have to be very carefull when you wire anything to your headlights. The Opel wiring is marginal and it is not ment for you to provide power for anything. Besides with the stock Opel alternator, adding any Hi amp circuit will only lead to depleat your battery.

[namba209]

Interesting, the way different laws are as far as the lites go. Both the 2003 Montana and the 98 motorhome have the factory installed extra lites. They can be turned on only when the lo-beams are on and if you switch to hi-beams, they both turn off the extra lites.

PVcar, nothing is more annoying, to me, than to see a car with all the extra lites on, especially when oncoming, in my mirrors, or when it's on a crystal clear nite. IMHO, it's called lack of courtesy to other drivers. Basicly it's the law, granted there may be circumstance where they would be needed, but not on surface streets with street lites or a crowded freeway.

[gr_diver]

blancojp: You are right about the wiring, this is why this forum regards using relays for headlights an ASAP upgrade, which I have performed. In addition relays are used to control fog lights (front & rear), and driving lights.

As for the alternator, I took proper care of it years ago by installing an 120A alternator (early '90s BMW application, originally 90A, but I had it upgraded by a company that manufactures electric motors/generators/alternators), seriously upgraded the charging/starting wiring, including the cable that feeds the in-car circuitry, with added distribution blocks etc, and installed a 75Ah battery.

namba209: I can't agree more with your perspective on auxiliary light usage. Until these days I needed nothing more than properly working stock healight system. But in a few weeks I am moving in a place out of the city, where from October to April fog is a very frequent night and early-morning condition. In addition small wildlife animals make sudden appearances during the night, almost suicidal. Better safe than sorry... A friend got his front end completely ruined by a dog, and another got almost killed in an effort to avoid a "mad" donkey that got loose...

P.S. I edited the first post with a "check local laws" warning, to ensure that the forum cannot be blaimed for providing illegal information...

[jlthunder]

Originally Posted by namba209 Interesting, the way different laws are as far as the lites go. Both the 2003 Montana and the 98 motorhome have the factory installed extra lites. They can be turned on only when the lo-beams are on and if you switch to hi-beams, they both turn off the extra lites.

This is the correct wiring for U.S. Cars as we are only allowed fog lights. They can be turned on with the parking lights or low beams on. My '72 Manta Raylle was wired this way along with every other car I have driven in the states. The only exception I have run into is my '01 Saab 9-5 will only allow the fog light to operate with the low beams. They don't work with just the parking lights.
The use of on-road driving lights I believe is illegal in the U.S. Some states require driving lights to be covered unless used off-road. HTH

Jeff

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by jlthunder The use of on-road driving lights I believe is illegal in the U.S. Some states require driving lights to be covered unless used off-road. HTH Jeff

It depends, the laws vary on a state-by-state basis. In CT for example, I can run up to 6 auxiliary lights. This includes 2 fog lights, 2 driving lights, and 2 spot lights. There are limitations as far as brightness, but they are rather vague, being restricted based on candlepower, not wattage or size.

In this state at least, fog lights can only be operated with the low beams on, and conversely, driving and spot lights can only be used with the high beams, and must all be extinguishable via one switch. I have my relays tripped via the high beam feeds, but they can be turned on/off via independent switches as long as the high beams are activated.

I used to run five 100-watt Hella 4000's on my Nissan, and was never pulled over for having them on my car. I admittedly kept the upper two driving lights covered 95% of the time, but my cornering lights (mounted near bumper height) were almost always uncovered and were used quite often. I never used them for highway travel, but rather for secondary roads since I live in a rural area known for having a lot of deer.

Bob

[jlthunder]

Bob;

Thanks for the clarification. I know what you mean about the deer. We are overpopulated down here in PA.

Jeff