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CapeLandy



Member Since: 21 Jul 2008
Location: Cape Town
Posts: 558
South Africa 
Spotlight Relay Power supply
Hi all

I used to have my spotlight relay power activation supply from the battery but I notice that it draws a constant 0,1amps or thereabout.
I don't want to run it from the high beam circuit as it was in the beginning so I wondered if I could tap into the instrument cluster lights so it will be live when the park lights are on.
There is a handy ciggy lighter light prong that I want to tee into.
I never took the amperage when the spots were switched on but assume it will be very little as there is a 2 amp fuse in this wire.
Sound OK?

Ta
007
Post #26813 14th Mar 2010 4:40pm
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610
United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
No Worries!
Can't see any problems at all from an electrical supply/current draw perspective. Even from the battery direct through the relay if run correctly through a switch shouldn't draw any current unless the swtch is activated. The only draw back tapping it from your instrument cluster lighting is that you will never be able to 'flash' the spotlights whilst driving unless of course your sidelights are activated, as the supply you're tapping into will not be 'live' unless pre-selected on!
Hope this helps. If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #26817 14th Mar 2010 5:21pm
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CapeLandy



Member Since: 21 Jul 2008
Location: Cape Town
Posts: 558
South Africa 
Great, thanks.

I Don't usually flash my spots as they are pretty blinding but due to the current draw I don't want them coming on only after the high beam is on.
I mainly use them for driving in the bush at night with the headlights off and parks on as they are fantastic for that.

Cheers
Post #26818 14th Mar 2010 5:27pm
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dm_td5



Member Since: 20 Jul 2008
Location: Arnhem Land
Posts: 609
Australia 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Zermatt Silver
Obviously doesn't apply to you but in Australia we have to, by law, wire the spotlights in so that they can only come on when the high beam is on. So easy problem, relay trigger power supply is the high beam circuit. 110 2.4TDCi
110 300Tdi

LROCV ::: AULRO.com
Post #26828 14th Mar 2010 8:00pm
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CapeLandy



Member Since: 21 Jul 2008
Location: Cape Town
Posts: 558
South Africa 
dm_td5 wrote:
Obviously doesn't apply to you but in Australia we have to, by law, wire the spotlights in so that they can only come on when the high beam is on. So easy problem, relay trigger power supply is the high beam circuit.



Just for interest sake - why is that?
Post #26833 14th Mar 2010 9:00pm
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dm_td5



Member Since: 20 Jul 2008
Location: Arnhem Land
Posts: 609
Australia 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Zermatt Silver
Something to do with our wonderfully advanced ADR's (Australian Design Rules). As I understand it the law states that driving lights must not be able to be turned on unless in conjunction with high beam. I guess that's so you can really, really see the animal on the open road before you hit it. 110 2.4TDCi
110 300Tdi

LROCV ::: AULRO.com
Post #26862 15th Mar 2010 11:53am
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alantd



Member Since: 14 Dec 2008
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 1513
United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Tonga Green
I suspect it is because of a load of cases where people have left their spots on when passing other traffic - blinding them.

You're in the habit of dipping your lights so if you wire the spots to the full beam then they'll automatically dim too. One that started out as a 2.4 TDCi 110 XS
+ New Defender 110 First Edition
Post #27097 16th Mar 2010 9:22pm
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CapeLandy



Member Since: 21 Jul 2008
Location: Cape Town
Posts: 558
South Africa 
That makes sense.
My spots are through a switch with two LED's so I can see when it's green the spots are on.
Post #27118 17th Mar 2010 5:00am
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dm_td5



Member Since: 20 Jul 2008
Location: Arnhem Land
Posts: 609
Australia 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Zermatt Silver
alantd wrote:
I suspect it is because of a load of cases where people have left their spots on when passing other traffic - blinding them.

You're in the habit of dipping your lights so if you wire the spots to the full beam then they'll automatically dim too.

You're most likely right Alan. Mind you with two 240HID Lightforce on the front when I dip them the world goes very dark. 110 2.4TDCi
110 300Tdi

LROCV ::: AULRO.com
Post #27176 17th Mar 2010 9:37am
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Grockle



Member Since: 24 Nov 2008
Location: Peak District National Park
Posts: 2266
United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Tonga Green
dm_td5 wrote:
Something to do with our wonderfully advanced ADR's (Australian Design Rules). As I understand it the law states that driving lights must not be able to be turned on unless in conjunction with high beam. I guess that's so you can really, really see the animal on the open road before you hit it.


the LR kit for driving lamps is the same here derek, even though they come with a switch will only work with main beam and it states 'for off road use only' in fitting instructions 2.4 90 XS
1968 1/32 scale Britains 109 Pick up.
Post #27182 17th Mar 2010 9:56am
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mse



Member Since: 06 Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 5038
United Kingdom 2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Scotia Grey
As mentioned the LR Kit does suggest taking a feed from the lighting circuit - i didnt bother with that - i also didnt like the routing it suggests for the wires to run Mike
Post #27288 17th Mar 2010 10:18pm
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Naks



Member Since: 27 Jan 2009
Location: Stellenbosch, ZA
Posts: 2646
South Africa 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Alpine White
dm_td5 wrote:
Obviously doesn't apply to you but in Australia we have to, by law, wire the spotlights in so that they can only come on when the high beam is on. So easy problem, relay trigger power supply is the high beam circuit.


Law is the same here - you vehicle will not pass a roadworthy if the spots are not on the high beam. And if a traffic officer ever bothers to check this, you will be fined.
Post #27319 18th Mar 2010 8:45am
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