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x-isle

Member Since: 26 May 2011
Location: Midlands
Posts: 1327

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black

Work Light with Reversing light and overide switch

Just thinking out loud here......

I'm going to put a work light on but then thought about taking a few steps further.......

I want to be able to have an on/off switch wired directly to the battery so that it can be activated without ignition.

I also want it to come on when reversing in the dark.

So, both are pretty easy, the switch is, well, just a switch, a 2 way toggle switch at that.

I'll attach a relay to the tail light feed that will switch power on (from the reversing light) to the work light when the headlights are turned on. So only when both the Tail light and the reversing light is on.

My only concern is the power draw (55W in the Work light) from the reversing light circuit.

Any thoughts? Anyone actually done this? Is it legal?

Click image to enlarge Craig Rogers

2007 Puma 110 XS
2011 Evoque Coupe Dynamic Lux
www.craigrogers.photography

15th Jun 2011 11:57am

Zagato
Site Supporter

Member Since: 08 Jan 2011
Location: Billingshurst West Sussex
Posts: 5012

I was looking at a G4 Freelander the other day and apparently all the interior switches for the front and rear roof mounted spotlights were removed before it went on the market as it's illegal to be able to switch on some of these lights whilst driving

The switches have to be located away from the driver apparently, not sure if that is correct info!

15th Jun 2011 1:01pm

x-isle

Member Since: 26 May 2011
Location: Midlands
Posts: 1327

Yeah, I know about that rule, but I'd put the override switch in the back so that it couldn't be switched on when driving.

Just out of interest, how do you then switch the rear light on if there is now switch? Craig Rogers

2007 Puma 110 XS
2011 Evoque Coupe Dynamic Lux
www.craigrogers.photography

15th Jun 2011 1:03pm

JSG

Member Since: 12 Jul 2007
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2412

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey

Zagato wrote:
I was looking at a G4 Freelander the other day and apparently all the interior switches for the front and rear roof mounted spotlights were removed before it went on the market as it's illegal to be able to switch on some of these lights whilst driving The switches have to be located away from the driver apparently, not sure if that is correct info!

Tombraiders were supplied with the relay missing for the roof mounted spots for the same reason. You got a relay with them that you could plug in yourself if you wanted to be naughty

John

http://www.hampshire4x4response.co.uk

2011 Tdci 110 CSW XS

15th Jun 2011 1:08pm

x-isle

Member Since: 26 May 2011
Location: Midlands
Posts: 1327

Hang on, so are we also saying that all rear work lights are in fact illegal as far as the MOT is concerned? Craig Rogers

2007 Puma 110 XS
2011 Evoque Coupe Dynamic Lux
www.craigrogers.photography

15th Jun 2011 1:22pm

Martin
Site Admin

Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6604

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red

The reverse lamp is wired with 0.75mm^2 cable (14A rated), and fused at 10A (Fuse 14).

The work light 55W lamp at 12V is drawing ~4.6A
The reversing 21W lamp at 12V is drawing 1.75A

So a total of 6.35A, which is comfortably below the rating of the cable or fuse, so you would be OK.

However, as you are already running a battery feed to the two way switch I would add another relay in and remove the additional work lamp load from the reversing circuit.

1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top

2015 D90 XS SW

15th Jun 2011 1:36pm

x-isle

Member Since: 26 May 2011
Location: Midlands
Posts: 1327

Now that's an answer!

Biggo Thanko!

So you mean something like this (the only thing missing is an extra fuse after the battery);

Click image to enlarge Craig Rogers

2007 Puma 110 XS
2011 Evoque Coupe Dynamic Lux
www.craigrogers.photography

15th Jun 2011 1:57pm

Martin
Site Admin

Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6604

Yep, or you could move the toggle switch to swap between the output of the first relay and a permanent 12V on the input to the second relay; this means you only have one set of contacts doing power switching (in the second relay) and less wiring to run.

Something like this:

Click image to enlarge

Don't forget fuses though!

1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top

2015 D90 XS SW

15th Jun 2011 2:36pm

x-isle

Member Since: 26 May 2011
Location: Midlands
Posts: 1327

Ah, yeah, even cleaner, plus the main draw isn't going through the toggle switch either!

Mucho Graz!

Craig Rogers

2007 Puma 110 XS
2011 Evoque Coupe Dynamic Lux
www.craigrogers.photography

15th Jun 2011 2:39pm

x-isle

Member Since: 26 May 2011
Location: Midlands
Posts: 1327

Martin wrote:

Don't forget fuses though!

Yeah, I've got a small 4 way fuse box, so I was going to go a bit overkill and use it.

I'll have the following fuses

1: Before 86 on Relay 1 (feed from Sidelight) - 1Amp
2: Before 30 on Relay 1 (feed from Reversing Light) - 1Amp
3: Before 2 Way switch coming from 87 on Relay 1 - 5Amp
4: Before joint coming from battery, feeding 2 Way switch and 30 on Relay 2 - 15Amp

A bit over kill, but as there are 4 slots to fill.......

Craig Rogers

2007 Puma 110 XS
2011 Evoque Coupe Dynamic Lux
www.craigrogers.photography

15th Jun 2011 4:44pm

mse

Member Since: 06 Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 5035

2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Scotia Grey

Just a point roof spot lights are perfectly legal on the main beam, switch and illuminated

Fogs on the roof are illegal

Work light perfectly legal - but not used on the road switched with reverse Mike

15th Jun 2011 4:49pm

x-isle

Member Since: 26 May 2011
Location: Midlands
Posts: 1327

Hmmm, good job I've decided on a 3 position switch!

Position 1: Work Light off
Position 2: Work Light on when Reverse and Side lights on
Position 3: Work Light on Craig Rogers

2007 Puma 110 XS
2011 Evoque Coupe Dynamic Lux
www.craigrogers.photography

15th Jun 2011 4:52pm

Glynparry25

Member Since: 16 Feb 2009
Location: Miserable Midlands
Posts: 3015

2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS DCPU Tonga Green

Talk about complicating things!

We have a saying in the Army 'KISS'.... Keep It Simple Stoopid.

I understand that at night you would like it to activate when you select reverse....... but for simplicity, why not have it so that it engages every time you select reverse (not like you spend hours on end in reverse).

Adding 2x relays is un-necessary, unless you plan on using a high power work lamp (More than 50W). It is just more to go wrong- it is always easy to get carried away with complicated circuits.

Glyn

15th Jun 2011 4:56pm

ARMYBOB

Member Since: 16 May 2009
Location: north luffenham, rutland
Posts: 81

you sound like a tiffy glyn!

i agree KISS all the way, one switch one relay, when you are reversing just switch it on for more light! simples

15th Jun 2011 5:03pm

Martin
Site Admin

Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6604

Ignore these stuck-in-the-mud army boys Craig

1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top

2015 D90 XS SW

15th Jun 2011 5:10pm

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