Headlights always on mod

[Shaw]

Looking at making my dipped headlights come on automatically with ignition. Correct me if I'm wrong, but is it as simple as wiring an ignition live to the low current side of the dipped headlight relay? (Possibly stick a switch and a diode in there too)

Has anybody done this or does anyone know if it's possible?

The reason I'd like this is for safety. Coming from a big car to a black car that's barely 3 feet off the ground makes me feel like other drivers can't see me :/

[shnazzle]

Going to be the annoying one here but... Isn't it easier just to turn the stalk when you get in? It might be a bit more intrusive to do it properly as you've got the lights on warning, dash indicator etc etc

[Shaw]

Going to be the annoying one here but... Isn't it easier just to turn the stalk when you get in? It might be a bit more intrusive to do it properly as you've got the lights on warning, dash indicator etc etc

Not annoying in the slightest, nice to hear people's concerns. If the low current side of the dipper circuit has a 12v feed the dash lights should all work as if th headlight switch was used. (I think)

[shnazzle]

This is true. Guess a case of looking and seeing! In the worst case you can change the wiring in the actual stalk to connect to ignitiob live instead of permanent live. Then you can just leave it on dipped but they'll only turn on when the engine is on

[phaeton]

This is true. Guess a case of looking and seeing! In the worst case you can change the wiring in the actual stalk to connect to ignitiob live instead of permanent live. Then you can just leave it on dipped but they'll only turn on when the engine is on

Not strictly true, they would come on in the 2nd key position whether the engine was running or not, if you want it only when the engine is running you would need to tee into the alternator exciter feed. Personally I wouldn't do it, I think it would be very annoying, especially if you wanted to do some testing with the ignition on, even code reading, you would be putting a strain on the battery with no engine running.

But each to their own, if you want to do it, go for it.

Alan...

[Anonymous]

Possible to do, but the lights switch the neutral not the live. Also the lights are fed by a relay

[Hybrids]

Another option would be a voltage sensing relay, it could be set to switch on (pull in) when the battery voltage rises to 13.30 volts (for example). Save having to mess with the exciter wire as Phaeton has mentioned.

[Shaw]

This is true. Guess a case of looking and seeing! In the worst case you can change the wiring in the actual stalk to connect to ignitiob live instead of permanent live. Then you can just leave it on dipped but they'll only turn on when the engine is on

Not strictly true, they would come on in the 2nd key position whether the engine was running or not, if you want it only when the engine is running you would need to tee into the alternator exciter feed. Personally I wouldn't do it, I think it would be very annoying, especially if you wanted to do some testing with the ignition on, even code reading, you would be putting a strain on the battery with no engine running.

But each to their own, if you want to do it, go for it.

Alan...

Would be easy enough to put a switch in my bridge wire so I could choose either way. Can't really think of a situation where I wouldn't want headlights on with ignition though.