Wiring driving lights 300 Tdi

[travelrover]

Hi all

I am planning to finish the wiring in the driving lights for my 300 Tdi project this weekend and was wondering what the best +12v pick up point would be? I was thinking at P108 at the battery side of the under bonnet fuse box via a 30A fused link to the lights relay..

What other options are there that are reasonably handy?

Thanks in advance.

[pop058]

What about direct from the battery via a resettable circuit breaker. ?

[bee utey]

Back of the alternator should be easily accessible, after all that's what will be powering the lights most of the time.

[rick130]

Back of the alternator should be easily accessible, after all that's what will be powering the lights most of the time.Yep.

Much more convenient on a Deefer than the battery, too.

[pop058]

What about direct from the battery via a resettable circuit breaker. ?


Back of the alternator should be easily accessible, after all that's what will be powering the lights most of the time.


Yep.

Much more convenient on a Deefer than the battery, too.

Good point, I forgot the Deefer battery is not in the engine bay. [bigwhistle]

[Phil B]

Hi all

I am planning to finish the wiring in the driving lights for my 300 Tdi project this weekend and was wondering what the best +12v pick up point would be? I was thinking at P108 at the battery side of the under bonnet fuse box via a 30A fused link to the lights relay..

What other options are there that are reasonably handy?

Thanks in advance.

Starter motor?

[travelrover]

Starter motor?

Thanks Phil B

I think that may be too difficult to get to. The alternator is looking like the best option (most votes anyway).

I will have a look :-)

[rick130]

The alternator is where my old Deefer spotties ran from.
I had the New Era relay under the plastic cover on the guard

[shack]

The alternator is where my old Deefer spotties ran from.
I had the New Era relay under the plastic cover on the guardI've seen a few have used the "new era"
Relays,I looked them up, can't really work out what the main benefit of them is, can any anyone elaborate?

[Don 130]

I can heartily recommend Tim's headlight wiring upgrade and driving light loom. Have a look, give him a ring. All your lights will be better and brighter, and your headlight switch won't burn out

Def-COMBO HL & Driving Light Wiring Kit | TRAXIDE - RV | Traxide - RV (http://www.traxide.com.au/additional-products/headlight-wiring-kits/def-combo-hl--driving-light.html)

Don.

[rick130]

I've seen a few have used the "new era"
Relays,I looked them up, can't really work out what the main benefit of them is, can any anyone elaborate?Generally speaking a heavier duty/more reliable relay over the mini relays.

[87County]

Generally speaking a heavier duty/more reliable relay over the mini relays.

+ "New Era" relays are more robust and come with a fuse for each driving light (assuming you wire them to use this:) )

You can find them on ebay at a reasonable price.

I personally would have an inline fuse between your tapping point (on the alternator) and the relay.

for example: Narva |
IN-LINE MAXI BLADE FUSE HOLDER (Blister pack of 1) (https://www.narva.com.au/products/54414BL)

You can get 40amp maxis.

Otherwise Narva |
IN-LINE STANDARD ATS BLADE FUSE HOLDER (Blister pack of 1) (https://www.narva.com.au/products/54406BL)

[bee utey]

Relays,I looked them up, can't really work out what the main benefit of them is, can any anyone elaborate?

Relays keep the high current out of your switches, allow shorter power cable runs for less voltage loss. For example a relay allows spotties to come on with a switch from the high beams without adding load to the original high beam circuit.

[shack]

Relays keep the high current out of your switches, allow shorter power cable runs for less voltage loss. For example a relay allows spotties to come on with a switch from the high beams without adding load to the original high beam circuit.Yeah,I was aware of this,I use them all the time, was just questioning the benefit of "new era" over a standard job

[bee utey]

Yeah,I was aware of this,I use them all the time, was just questioning the benefit of "new era" over a standard job

Aah, sorry. I think the New Era relays appeal because they look tough and full metal jacket and all that kind of stuff. Personally I prefer quality Bosch or Hella relays, they take up much less space and work just as well. Fuses belong in separate covered holders, not heating up the relay case.

[travelrover]

Thanks for your replies..

I ended up running off the alternator, certainly the easiest point to get to, via a Bosch relay and a separate in line fuse. All working well. [smilebigeye]

[travelrover]

I can heartily recommend Tim's headlight wiring upgrade and driving light loom. Have a look, give him a ring. All your lights will be better and brighter, and your headlight switch won't burn out

Def-COMBO HL & Driving Light Wiring Kit | TRAXIDE - RV | Traxide - RV (http://www.traxide.com.au/additional-products/headlight-wiring-kits/def-combo-hl--driving-light.html)

Don.


Thanks Don

In hindsight this is probably the way I should have gone but as I already had most of the wiring and relay/fuse in place when I sent the message last week i pressed on. I did use the alternator as the pickup point as it was the most convenient. All is working well, so far [smilebigeye]