Any sparkys about?

[caduceus]

I have just replaced my original side light bulbs with some white led ones. When I turn on just the side lights with the ignition off, just the side lights come on.
BUT. When I turn on just the side lights with the ignition on, the main beam comes on too.

In short, I can't have JUST my side lights on whilst driving. And I like my new leds
Does anyone know what the cause/problem is?
Faulty switch inside? leds causing voltage irregularities?

Thanks
Cad

[ridds]

Light control unit applies 5V to the dipped beam when sidelights and IGN are on if I recall.

So inless you rewire the control unit then no, you can't.

[RUSSELLM]

It sounds like your getting a back feed voltage from the led's (they've got a resistor in them)

A diode fitted along the positive feed to the side light should solve it.

(the diode lets voltage through one way, but doesn't let it return).

A "1N4004" should do it.

Pick them up from Maplins (part no. QL76H or a Ql73Q will do)

You may want to put one along the 0 volts as well

Or I can post you one / two

Edited by RUSSELLM on Tuesday 5th September 12:37

[mike_e]

The Cerb, in common with other cars, has a dim-dip function. As Ridds pointed out, the dipped headlight is fed lower voltage power whenever ignition and sidelights are on to increase overall brightness. The front side lights are effectively just parking lights.

[RUSSELLM]

caduceus said:

BUT. When I turn on just the side lights with the ignition on, the main beam comes on too.

Is it definately the main beam that comes on ? (incorrect)

Or a dimmed version of the dipped beam ? (correct)

Edited by RUSSELLM on Tuesday 5th September 13:35

[simonsparrow]

mike_e said:

The Cerb, in common with other cars, has a dim-dip function. As Ridds pointed out, the dipped headlight is fed lower voltage power whenever ignition and sidelights are on to increase overall brightness. The front side lights are effectively just parking lights.

This is true, I've rewired my lights using relays and a feed straight to the battery, but this 'dim dip' feature took a while to figure out. Its controlled by a seperate black box in the boot, I've simply disconnected mine.

[caduceus]

RUSSELLM said:

caduceus said:

BUT. When I turn on just the side lights with the ignition on, the main beam comes on too.

Is it definately the main beam that comes on ? (incorrect)

Or a dimmed version of the dipped beam ? (correct)

Ah. Err, could'nt say for certian. I just saw the reflection on another car (when Budaholic and myself were terrorising Adsa shoppers in the underground car park on Sunday).

It looked like main(dipped) beam that came on with just sidelight. Interested in the diode option you mentioned. Is it a difficult job?

Russ, are you going to the Austec open day on the 17th?

Cheers for reply.

[RUSSELLM]

Hi MrC, I haven't seen Austec advertising it anywhere, isn't there normally a sticky or a thread somewhere ?

Are they doing rolling road runs ?

Anyhoo, if your lights are working properly, (a dimmed version of your dipped beam coming on) then I would wire it as Simon has above, the diode wont solve anything.

If your main beam or full dipped beam are coming on then I'm guessing that's the back feed voltage from the resistor in the l.e.d.'s, then the diode should solve it.

[caduceus]

simonsparrow said:

mike_e said:

The Cerb, in common with other cars, has a dim-dip function. As Ridds pointed out, the dipped headlight is fed lower voltage power whenever ignition and sidelights are on to increase overall brightness. The front side lights are effectively just parking lights.

This is true, I've rewired my lights using relays and a feed straight to the battery, but this 'dim dip' feature took a while to figure out. Its controlled by a seperate black box in the boot, I've simply disconnected mine.

Yes. I have just tried my lights and they are exactly as you say. Simon, could you possibly mail me a dummies guide on how to get rid of the 'dim sipped beam'. Diagram(s) would be great too. I would be most gratefull.

Thanks also Russell for your input.

[dean_ratpac]

caduceus said:

Simon, could you possibly mail me a dummies guide on how to get rid of the 'dim sipped beam'. Diagram(s) would be great too. I would be most gratefull.

Thanks also Russell for your input.

it might be worth posting on here, Steve_T didn;t you re-wire you main beams?

[budaholic]

RUSSELLM said:

Hi MrC, I haven't seen Austec advertising it anywhere, isn't there normally a sticky or a thread somewhere ?

Are they doing rolling road runs ?

It most certainly is on, and they are doing free power runs........ I'll be there for sure.
And there is a link at the bottom of their homepage.

Austec open day

Bud

[caduceus]

Btw Bud, tell your bro he captured some pretty good footage on sunday.

Must get round to buying some decent easy to use video editing software. And possibly one of those sucker mount things for the digicam.

[budaholic]

Cool, I'd like to see it. Any chance you can bung it on a DVD.

My bro should be joining us this Sunday for the mid-essex meet so you can thank him yaself. There was a prob picking up his new bike and he can't get it now till next week...

Bud

[mikesr]

There are two control boxes in the boot. Dim/Dip Switching Unit and the Dim/Dip Unit.
Its the Dim/Dip Unit that feeds the voltage into the control unit.
Teh Dim/Dip unit has 6 wires going into it.
Red, Red/White, Red/Black, Black, Green and Blue/Yellow.
The Red/Black is the signal wire to the control unit.
Disconnect the red/black wire and tape it to the unit so its insulated and out of the way.

I suspect the entire unit can be removed but I preferred to disconnect a single wire so I didn't have earths and ignition feeds floating about not connected.

I also think a better way of turning off the dim dip would be to disconnect the ignition or sidelight feeds into the unit (green and red/white respectively) so that the unit never puts a voltage onto the red/black wire. But I haven't gotten around to trying it yet.

[caduceus]

Thanks Mike.

Simon mailed me with pretty much the same thing. So I'm going to try it out later and see how it goes.

[caduceus]

I have just looked (and took photos) at the control boxes in the boot.
There is as follows:

Indicator & hazard lamps switching unit
Lights switching unit
Ignition control unit
Door lock, windows control unit
And a smaller unit that seems to be stuck down pretty darn well.

If someone has a website I can host them on, it may help. But I can't find the dim dip unit at all. Maybe its incorporated into the 'lights switching unit'?

Help?

[budaholic]

My dim/dip unit is tucked tight down the right hand side, near to the fuse board. Of course, this doesn't mean yours is in the same location but worth a look.

[caduceus]

budaholic said:

My dim/dip unit is tucked tight down the right hand side, near to the fuse board. Of course, this doesn't mean yours is in the same location but worth a look.

Ah, did'nt look doon there. Too late now as I've just got back in, but will check it tomorrow.

Cheers Budski