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Driving Lamp Wiring/Installation 200 82ti

posted by  someone claiming to be Jason on  Sun Apr 1 06:08 CST 2001 [RELATED]

Hello-

I am installing a set of Hella driving lamps on my car and I have a few questions to run by the group.

First of all, instead of running the power directly from the battery, I have decided to plug into the fuse panel; the 3rd fuse from the bottom (meant for rear fog lamp) in my car was not running anything so I will be using that with a larger (15amp) fuse(that the Hella lamps call for). Is this OK? The reason for this is that I do not want to accidently drain my battery by forgetting to turn them off; they are now key controlled.

Second, the kit directs me to tap into the High Beam wire to run a "Supply" to the switch, this power I guess goes to the relay to turn on the main power to the lamps. This, however, would make the lights only available when the brights are on; I do not want this. I want to be able to turn the lights on whenever I want, independently of the OE headlamps. Where can I get the proper current to replace what would be coming from the High beam? Can a get it from one of the smaller fuses in the fuse panel? Thanks.

I hope this makes sense, I am just learning about my cars electrics.







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    Re: Driving Lamp Wiring/Installation 200 82ti

    posted by  someone claiming to be allison on  Sun Apr 1 06:22 CST 2001 [RELATED]

    Yes, I saw you bidding on those. As my sister smashed both mine when she borrowed my car on vacation, I need another pair.

    Here is what I did, and a couple of thoughts.

    Those lights draw a lot more power than you think. Look very carefully at the fuse you are running it through. It better be designed to carry at least 15 amps. Otherwise you will blow fuses continuously.As a personal choice, I would keep the system seperate, and I did.

    To have the independent control you are looking for, I chose to wire my driving lamps through the corner lamps. That way, I could use them as day lamps, and also have them on at all times. High beam, low beam, no beam, they are always on when I throw the switch.

    On the 85, this means I need to remmeber to turnoff the headlights. On the 93, it doesn't matter.

    As a warning; Those little connectors in the casing a pain, and apt to shorting by touching the light housing.







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      Re: Driving Lamp Wiring/Installation 200 82ti

      posted by  someone claiming to be B D Irish on  Sun Apr 1 07:47 CST 2001 [RELATED]

      At the risk of being a spoilsport, I suggest you check the motor vehicle codes in your state and surrounding areas (try an anonymous call to the state police if you can't find the statute book at the library). Most states have some restrictions on what you can light and where you can mount it (primarily re height above the road). In some places, I have been informed, it is not strictly legal to be able to run any auxiliaries other than fog lights simultaneous with a low beam , and you have to have the high-intensity driving lights slaved to your brights only--or at least show taillights whenever any auxiliary lghts are on. Been several years since I wired one up, but that was the way it was at the time I added both type lights to my 740. Lots of luck.







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        Re: Driving Lamp Wiring/Installation 200 82ti

        posted by  someone claiming to be allison on  Sun Apr 1 08:26 CST 2001 [RELATED]

        I am not sure if you are replying to me, or to jason.

        You are not even remotely spoiling my sport,don't worry. those lights are DOT certified. Also, if you note, Fog lights and such from Volvo wiring automatcially kick off when you have the hi-beams on.Note what happens on all the vehicles wired at the dealersip, and that is your clue.

        I do not see why I should feel the need to be anonymously calling the state police on a question of legality. Asking does not suggest guilt. In my State, my understanding is that it is illegal to run them on the high beam. I admit this does not always stop me from doing so.

        However, as I was pulled over by the police for having a light "out", which turned out to be the pinched rear foglight, I question if the police always know. The officer was very polite, but I had to demonstrate the fact that the car was designed that way, due to DOT. He thought it was nuts, and I agreed.







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          Re: Driving Lamp Wiring/Installation 200 82ti

          posted by  someone claiming to be BC on  Sun Apr 1 09:49 CST 2001 [RELATED]

          Strangely enough on my 86 240 the fog lights work only with low beam, on my 88 240 they can be on with either high or low beam. On both they are off when the ignition is off. The corner/parking lights stay on key in or out, ask me how I know?

          Putting in a fuse of capacity larger than stock assumes that the wiring from battery to that fuze and beyond is a larger gauge, too. Let a relay feed high amperage current through heavy wiring to the driving lights and let a lower amp circuit be control power for the relay. Then you can have what you want and you'll know that funny smoky smell is something else.

          Good Luck, Bob






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