Relay feed for (new) headlights

[TheGriffalo]

I've almost fitted my Sportmotive headlights. I'm using the old high beam feed as a switching wire for the new main beam which means my original main beams will need a new feed. Are there any good feeds apart from the starter motor? I know I can use this if I have to but I always prefer to use an ignition switched feed if one is available.

I did consider using the side lights but I've just looked at the wiring diagram and I can't find anything about the existing fuse or it's location. Is that a viable solution or are there any other feeds I can tap into?

[sleep envy]

don't forget to fit a fire extinguisher

[HRG]

sleep envy said:

don't forget to fit a fire extinguisher

If I get it right I shouldn't need to

[sleep envy]

HRG????

[HRG]

sleep envy said:

HRG????

Don't blame me, it was my daughters idea.

Horn Rimmed Glasses.... It's a Heroes thing

[spend]

The wire for the sidelights is less capacity than the existing main lights?

You can take a live from the alternator or the 100A fuse / starter. I prefer to take it with some fuse protection which means the starter (not really enough room in the 100a fuse holder and they aren't the most durable fitting coughcough You still want a fuse on it @15a, and make sure you spec cable for the rating you require. If you really want the circuit only live with the ignition / relay in the car, you will have to run cable back to the fusebox, not a great issue to run an extra pair of thinwall cables.

Dave

[HRG]

I haven't measured the guage of the sidelight feed yet, it was just an idea I had as there isn't much current in it as standard. If the wire is the same guage it would be the perfect candidate if it was appropriately fused.

Failing that, I can fit a blade fuse near the starter keeping the unfused section as short as possible. I'd just rather have as much circuitry as possible dormant when I leave the car.

[AntonyJ]

TheGriffalo said:

I've almost fitted my Sportmotive headlights. I'm using the old high beam feed as a switching wire for the new main beam which means my original main beams will need a new feed. Are there any good feeds apart from the starter motor? I know I can use this if I have to but I always prefer to use an ignition switched feed if one is available.

I did consider using the side lights but I've just looked at the wiring diagram and I can't find anything about the existing fuse or it's location. Is that a viable solution or are there any other feeds I can tap into?

Rob ,why will you need a new feed?
The main(lower) lamps still get fed by their original feed, it just T's off to switch the relay as well.
This is how I wired mine and it works fine.

[HRG]

AntonyJ said:

TheGriffalo said:

I've almost fitted my Sportmotive headlights. I'm using the old high beam feed as a switching wire for the new main beam which means my original main beams will need a new feed. Are there any good feeds apart from the starter motor? I know I can use this if I have to but I always prefer to use an ignition switched feed if one is available.

I did consider using the side lights but I've just looked at the wiring diagram and I can't find anything about the existing fuse or it's location. Is that a viable solution or are there any other feeds I can tap into?

Rob ,why will you need a new feed?
The main(lower) lamps still get fed by their original feed, it just T's off to switch the relay as well.
This is how I wired mine and it works fine.

Yup, that would work

It was just too easy for me to think of....

[AntonyJ]

Isn't that how it is on the diagram?

[HRG]

Diagram? What diagram? I didn't get one. I was making my life more complicated than it needs to be

[AntonyJ]

Rob, my mistake the instructions are written aren't they !!

Doh

[HRG]

AntonyJ said:

Rob, my mistake the instructions are written aren't they !!

Doh

Yup... And I'm tired after a whole winter under the car

[AntonyJ]

HRG said:

AntonyJ said:

Rob, my mistake the instructions are written aren't they !!

Doh

Yup... And I'm tired after a whole winter under the car

Me too. Chassis is done now, just the paintwork to get through !

[HRG]

AntonyJ said:

HRG said:

AntonyJ said:

Rob, my mistake the instructions are written aren't they !!

Doh

Yup... And I'm tired after a whole winter under the car

Me too. Chassis is done now, just the paintwork to get through !

Woohoo, I'm ahead of you

Just waiting on one brake pipe (Don't ask, I thought I ordered a pair ) my tyres, which are being fitted tomorrow and then I should be able to drop her down and fire her up.

Woobloominhoo

[sleep envy]

[HRG]

No not that sort of "fire her up"

[sleep envy]

ah

[AntonyJ]

Good news then Rob, no regrets about not lifting the body off completely?

I am just going out to fit the offside drive shaft and then my chassis is done.
Going to continue flatting the primer on the body tomorrow and it should be ready for paint soon, then the doors and boot,bonnet to do.

Oh then the small matter of body back on and re-commission the car.....

[HRG]

Any regrets? None at all I did the work I planned to and a 2" raise allowed me sufficient access to the troublesome areas of the car. Perhaps in ten years or so I'll do a body off and really go for it with a full electro galvanizing job but for now I've checked my chassis is structurally intact, done enough to prevent any recurrences (I hope) and got Waxoyl in places you simply couldn't get with the body on.

Besides, after getting that sodding radiator back in yesterday I've just about had enough of big projects for now