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Big Dunc Just got MTs
Joined: 09 Aug 2010 Odometer: 134
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Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2015 2:10 pm Post subject: Wiring extra lights
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I have recently bought a light bar to go across the front of the roof and 3 pairs of lights, 2 pairs to go on the light pair and one pair to go on the A bar above the winch.
The prime purpose for these lights is green laning in winter. I dont propose to be out all night, but for those days when it is starting to get dark before we finish...
Initially I was just going to have some lights on the roof bar so they were effective even if the headlights were covered in mud. Then I thought that a couple of lights on the A bar may reduce shadows, until they get covered in mud.
Each pair of lights will be independently wired with its own fuse, relay, switch, supply and earth.
The question is, should I have the switch triggered with the main beam or sidelights?
I understand that legally they should be triggered by main beam, although it would be easy to have the fuse pulled when on the road to get round that. My MOT tester seemed pretty relaxed about it when I asked him. As long as they were switched off at the time of the test, he would not be looking to test them or check how they were switched.
I dont anticipate regularly using them on the road anyway. The reason for the question is that if the head lights are covered in mud, is there any point in having to have them turned on, just to trigger the roof lights. Obviously, I would clean the head lights (& all lights & number plates) before driving home on the road and I dont like roof lights in general because of the glare, so once the headlights were clean, I wouldnt be using the roof lights.
Then I was thinking that as the main beam is so crap, I may use the A bar lights to assist them occasionally. If I am going to do that, they definitely do want to be triggered by main beam, not the side lights.
How do other people have their extra lights wired and if they were doing it again would they do it differently?
Sorry for the long rambling essay. Does anyone have any thoughts on the above, and is there anything that I have not taken into account?
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Xpajun Mud Obsessed
Joined: 22 Sep 2008 Odometer: 3245
1988 Mitsubishi Shogun
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Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2015 6:35 pm Post subject:
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Have them so that they are switched to come on with the main beam or to come on independently or off of course - 3 position switch, centre off down for main up for independant
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jojo Mud Obsessed
Joined: 11 Aug 2007 Odometer: 5422
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Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2015 7:32 pm Post subject:
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On road; You can use spot lights on the A bar but they must only be able to come on when main beam is on. You can't use roof lights on road. But if you were on a greenlane (BOAT), although illegal as it is a highway subject to all road traffic law, I expect you would get away with it. Any sensible person would argue that it is neccessary for safety at night on a greenlane.
On the subject of greenlaning at night, a lot of farmers quite understandably get a bit suspicious of people driving them at night because of the high rate of farm crime - nicking tractors and farm equipment - which is far more common than most people realise.
J
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Big Dunc Just got MTs
Joined: 09 Aug 2010 Odometer: 134
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Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2015 9:28 pm Post subject:
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Thanks Chaps.
Not planning on being out late.
just when it is getting dark late afternoon in winter.
3 position switch is an excellent idea.
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