How to wire spot lamps?

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Dantiri - 26 Aug 2003 22:11 GMT

Dear all,
I've fitted a pair of sportlights to my mini for that "cooper" look. They've
been fitted for months now and I think it's time to connect them to the
power so I can at least switch them on! :)
The problem is I have no idea on how to do this. What kind of switch? do I
need a relay (if yes what specs)? where do I fit this stuff? How do I wire
it together?
Obviously I no experience whatsoever with the electrical system so please be
very descriptive. A drawing would be very nice too!
Cheers

Dantiri

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Dennis Jansen - 27 Aug 2003 06:58 GMT

http://www.mech.demon.nl/ and follow the "Technical Info" link for a
drawing.

Regards,
Dennis Jansen

> Dear all,
> I've fitted a pair of sportlights to my mini for that "cooper" look. They've
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Dantiri

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Graham - 27 Aug 2003 07:02 GMT

> ... and I think it's time to connect them to the power so I can at
> least switch them on! :)
> The problem is I have no idea on how to do this. What kind of
> switch? do I need a relay (if yes what specs)? where do I fit this
> stuff? How do I wire it together?

> Obviously I no experience whatsoever with the electrical system so
> please be very descriptive. A drawing would be very nice too!

The trouble is that getting the right wires connected to the right
places is only half the problem. Making sound connections which will
last and routing wires so they won't chafe are just two aspects of doing
good wiring. If you're not certain about getting these right, you might
be better off paying an autoelec to put in a relay for you.

Having said that, assuming they're driving lights, which should come on
with high beam, what you need is:

A heavy wire from the battery + or alternator +, via a new fuse, to the
new relay.

A heavy wire from the relay to each light.

A light wire from the existing headlights high beam circuit - at the
headlight, the dip switch or the dashboard warning light will do, to the
relay.

A light wire from the relay to earth.

The light wires operate the relay coil. Some relays have a suppression
diode and must be connected the correct way around.

The heavy wires connect to the relay contacts.

If you want to have a switch on the dash to operate high beam without
driving lights, that switch needs to be inserted into one of the two
light wires. It does not need to be heavy duty, since it only switches
the current which operates the relay.

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