thought it was mine!
New Member
depends on wat spots,teenage spots,sticky pink spots or spot lights.
Shifty1962
Well-Known Member
Why not just fit fogs which will be much more use than focussed spot lights pointing at the ground?
Shifty1962
Well-Known Member
The wiring for spots or fogs will be the same. Just make sure you use a suitable relay and fuse accordingly. There are plenty of diagrams on the net showing how to connect them up.
I only mentioned fitting fogs because they are far more effective in er......... fog. Focussed spot or driving lamps tend to reflect back and make things even harder to see where you're going.
I only mentioned fitting fogs because they are far more effective in er......... fog. Focussed spot or driving lamps tend to reflect back and make things even harder to see where you're going.
Drookit Dug
Active Member
Shifty is right. Spots would be awful in fog. Reflected glare would make things far worse for you and other road users. Buy fogs and send me your spots!
He's right about the relay and fuse too and MOT inspectors might be interested to check that fogs can only be selected with the appropriate switches on and have a warning light in the dashboard or an illuminated switch.
Also, draw a wiring diagram and keep it in your handbook/MOT/insurance folder or anywhere that subsequent owners can see. It's great having loads of accessories but when you sell it it would be nice to be able to show the buyer where stuff is so they dont have to follow wires to fuses, relays and bulkhead grommets etc. Fault finding is great if you do a supply check at the accessory and find the accessory has failed but if there is no power at the accessory it saves a whole bundle of time if the person knows where the relay is or where the fuse is. And use a variety of coloured wire and the right grade for the amperage of the load.
Right! I will get off the soap box now! Joking aside, I deliberately looked for a relatively 'bare' Defender this time around so I could accessorise it myself. It's the bits that you can't see (wires, relays, fuses etc) that often cause the most problems.
He's right about the relay and fuse too and MOT inspectors might be interested to check that fogs can only be selected with the appropriate switches on and have a warning light in the dashboard or an illuminated switch.
Also, draw a wiring diagram and keep it in your handbook/MOT/insurance folder or anywhere that subsequent owners can see. It's great having loads of accessories but when you sell it it would be nice to be able to show the buyer where stuff is so they dont have to follow wires to fuses, relays and bulkhead grommets etc. Fault finding is great if you do a supply check at the accessory and find the accessory has failed but if there is no power at the accessory it saves a whole bundle of time if the person knows where the relay is or where the fuse is. And use a variety of coloured wire and the right grade for the amperage of the load.
Right! I will get off the soap box now! Joking aside, I deliberately looked for a relatively 'bare' Defender this time around so I could accessorise it myself. It's the bits that you can't see (wires, relays, fuses etc) that often cause the most problems.
khaos
New Member
You have 2 options. You can either take a live from the fusebox to dashboard switch and then straight to the lights or you can take a live from the full beam and use that to operate a fused relay. You then need a live from the fusebox to the relay. Then go from the relay to the lights in parallel and then earth them.
100w at 12v is about 9 amps. So you'll be wanting a 20amp fuse.
100w at 12v is about 9 amps. So you'll be wanting a 20amp fuse.
Drookit Dug
Active Member
Don't go straight to the lights without a relay! A relay is a must for high wattage lights
Shifty1962
Well-Known Member
Unless you want to risk melting the existing wiring and setting fire to your pride and joy. Use a relay which will cost a few quid and do it properly. The last time I visited a breakers yard I removed 8 relays with integral load fuses and the connectors with about a foot of cable from all the Ford Sierras and Escorts I could find. They used to operate the heated rear screen elements and are plenty man enough for spots or fogs. Scrappy charged me a fiver for the lot.
Most switches are not designed to carry the heavy currents of two 100w lamps and will burn the contacts very quickly. They may fuse together and you would not be able to turn the lights off.
Most switches are not designed to carry the heavy currents of two 100w lamps and will burn the contacts very quickly. They may fuse together and you would not be able to turn the lights off.
maisyboo
Active Member
Thanks for that. Got relay and wiring courtesy of cousin who works at well known car accessory shop will have a bash over the weekend - bloody freezing today! Went to Thornam harbour today and ended up :5bcheers2: - a real odd geezer there driving up and down all the time then stopping, opening his back door, looking around and driving up and down again....
will have a bash over the weekend - bloody freezing today! Went to Thornam harbour today and ended up :5bcheers2: - a real odd geezer there driving up and down all the time then stopping, opening his back door, looking around and driving up and down again....
Mud-4-it
New Member
Thanks for that. Got relay and wiring courtesy of cousin who works at well known car accessory shop
Isn't everyone in Norfolk odd? I thought that was mandatory.
Good luck with the lights.
