Driving - & Spotlights

Headlights and Other Lights
User avatar
Stefan
Moderator
Posts: 1692
Joined: 28 Apr 2009 08:43
Full Name: Stefan de Villiers
Nickname: Stefan
Home Town: Bothasig, Cape Town
Current 4x4: 2002 3.0 GL Patrol
Home Language: Afrikaans
Location: Cape Town
Has thanked: 175 times
Been thanked: 49 times
Contact:

Driving - & Spotlights

Post by Stefan »

Quick question:

Do you have dedicated Driving lights, and/or Spotlights on your vehicle?

What brand(s) and technology (e.g. HID, LED)?

How are they wired? (i.e. directly into the lights, high-beams only, separate switches)
User avatar
Nissan KingCab
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 138
Joined: 04 Jan 2015 09:43
Full Name: Danie
Nickname: Danie
Home Town: Madibeng
Current 4x4: 2005 Nissan Patrol 4.8 GRX
2001 Nissan Patrol 4.5 GL (SOLD)
Home Language: Afr
Location: Madibeng
Has thanked: 45 times
Been thanked: 26 times

Re: Driving - & Spotlights

Post by Nissan KingCab »

I have a set of HELLA Comet 550's on the TJM bullbar.

They come on with the brights through a relay to connect them directly to the battery!
User avatar
Michael
Moderator
Posts: 2479
Joined: 05 Mar 2014 14:39
Full Name: Michael
Nickname: Steyn
Home Town: Centurion
Current 4x4: Patrol GU 4.2 Turbo Diesel
Home Language: Afrikaans
Location: Centurion, PTA
Has thanked: 189 times
Been thanked: 336 times

Re: Driving - & Spotlights

Post by Michael »

I have replaced my normal headlamp globes with Night Brakers I think, they really improved the vision at night quite a bit.

Then I have two LED spots on the bumper that run to a switch, they are not connected to the brights as I want the option to switch them on when I want to see around the camp or to just use them as general work lights.

I do think it would be nice to have them come on with the brights too......but dont know if its possable to wire it like that?
"The Just shall live by Faith" Rom1:17

Check out my build here My Patrol
And my engine rebuild here mostly engine related stuff
User avatar
ricster
Patrolman 1000+
Patrolman 1000+
Posts: 5850
Joined: 13 Jan 2010 11:16
Full Name: Cedric Warner
Nickname: Cedric
Home Town: Alberton Gauteng
Current 4x4: '99 Nissan Patrol 4.2 Turbo Diesel
Home Language: English
Location: LA..... No not Los Angles ..... Lower Alberton, Gauteng
Has thanked: 591 times
Been thanked: 468 times

Re: Driving - & Spotlights

Post by ricster »

I have a set of KC's on my bullbar, wires to a separate switch that is again linked to the brights. So basically if I have my parking and main beams on ( KC's off ) and I push the light stick to put the brights on, then I can either have the KC switch on or off. I leave the KC switch in the ON position permanently so when I switch on the brights everything comes on, and off again if a car approaches from the front. The KC's are connected via a relay directly to the battery, with an activation feed from the old small gauge wire that was already there from the Patrols headlight connector if I recall correctly.

They are the standard Halogen type globes ( 130watt ), that I believe are not really legal, but are worth every cent and light up the road beautifully.

The only down side is that the are spot lights and not flood lights, so they tend to light up the road, but not much on the sides.

Power consumption.... who cares, I only use them when the motor is running, and the Alternator and Battery is more than capable of handling the extra power draw ( and the cabling too ).

The Patrol driving lights are Daybreakers from Osram ( Might be called Night breakers..... can't remember now )
Regards
Cedric
Nissan Patrol GL 4.2 Diesel Turbo (Iron Maiden)
Nissan SANI 3.0 V6 4x4 (SOLD)
Isuzu KB 280 DT 2x4 ('ol Smokey) - SOLD
Suzuki TL 1000R "V twin" (Growler) - SOLD
User avatar
Jorrie
Patrolman 1000+
Patrolman 1000+
Posts: 2184
Joined: 21 Jun 2011 18:55
Full Name: Jacobus Jordaan
Nickname: Jorrie
Home Town: Pretoria
Current 4x4: 1998 Nissan Patrol 4500 GRX (now in Benji's hands), 2019 Zook Gen 4, 2011 4.8 GRX Patrol Adventure 60
Home Language: English/Afrikaans
Location: Pretoria
Has thanked: 184 times
Been thanked: 165 times

Re: Driving - & Spotlights

Post by Jorrie »

I have a 12 LED Light bar (120W) wired in the way described by Cedric above. This bar really lights up the road and the roadside.
This light bar can only be used when there is no traffic from the front as it will blind oncoming traffic. Should only be used off-road.
Jorrie
1998 4500 GRX (Benji)
2011 4800 GRX Adventure 60 (Jorrie)
2011 Jimny Sold (Benji)
2 x 2019 Jimnies (1 x Lizzybean69, 1 x Jorrie)
User avatar
JoshJ
Patrolman
Patrolman
Posts: 982
Joined: 30 Nov 2013 16:16
Full Name: Joshua Joubert
Nickname: Joshua
Home Town: Centurion, Gauteng
Current 4x4: 94 GQ SGL-D
Home Language: Afrikaans
Has thanked: 81 times
Been thanked: 95 times

Re: Driving - & Spotlights

Post by JoshJ »

I have pondered on this Idea for sometime. But do not see the need. I upgraded to Osram day breaker globes. My brights are now good enough. So I dont know if it realy worth the cost of decent spots and running the risk of restricting airflow to the radiater. Yes spots or a light bar will make it better, but all things considered I am on the wire about it. But it looks great on a 4x4.
Being alive is a Blessing!!

Regards,
Joshua
User avatar
Tinus lotz
Moderator
Posts: 7579
Joined: 29 Aug 2010 13:07
Full Name: Tinus lotz
Nickname: Tinus lotz
Home Town: Centurion
Current 4x4: Nissan patrol 4.8 GRX 2005

Toyota 2.7 legend 35 LWB 4X4
Home Language: Afrikaans
Has thanked: 800 times
Been thanked: 549 times

Re: Driving - & Spotlights

Post by Tinus lotz »

My small hid lights work legit ......i can see to the other side of town ....have a switch to either have them on or of on their own .
User avatar
ricster
Patrolman 1000+
Patrolman 1000+
Posts: 5850
Joined: 13 Jan 2010 11:16
Full Name: Cedric Warner
Nickname: Cedric
Home Town: Alberton Gauteng
Current 4x4: '99 Nissan Patrol 4.2 Turbo Diesel
Home Language: English
Location: LA..... No not Los Angles ..... Lower Alberton, Gauteng
Has thanked: 591 times
Been thanked: 468 times

Re: Driving - & Spotlights

Post by ricster »

Well if you change your mind I have a set of rectangular IPF's laying in my garage that could be up for sale..... :thumbup: ...... sorry .... not hijacking the thread
Regards
Cedric
Nissan Patrol GL 4.2 Diesel Turbo (Iron Maiden)
Nissan SANI 3.0 V6 4x4 (SOLD)
Isuzu KB 280 DT 2x4 ('ol Smokey) - SOLD
Suzuki TL 1000R "V twin" (Growler) - SOLD
User avatar
Marino4x4
Patrolman
Patrolman
Posts: 520
Joined: 19 Oct 2011 12:15
Full Name: Marinus Potgieter
Nickname: Marino4x4
Home Town: Bloemfontein
Current 4x4: Nissan Patrol
Home Language: Afrikaans
Location: Bloemfontein
Has thanked: 17 times
Been thanked: 84 times

Re: Driving - & Spotlights

Post by Marino4x4 »

I did some LED bars the other day like Cedric explained. Midas has a standard harness that you can buy with the relay and switch included, R180. The wiring diagram is on the back. Very easy. The wires are a bit thin, but the LED does not use so much power. I did this due to driving allot in the Eastern Cape/Free State with animals next and in the road. The lights assist with width and depth of view that makes it much safe to drive. I also upgraded my headlights to 130W globes, but the LED's are at another level and it is a whiter light than the standard lights.
Patrol 4.5 GL 1998

Terrain 4X4 Parts
User avatar
Peter Connan
Moderator
Posts: 6011
Joined: 10 Sep 2010 07:21
Full Name: Peter Connan
Nickname: Piet
Home Town: Kempton Park
Current 4x4: 1996 Patrol 4.5SGL
Home Language: Afrikaans
Location: Kempton Park
Has thanked: 1067 times
Been thanked: 985 times

Re: Driving - & Spotlights

Post by Peter Connan »

Lights fade as they get older. The globes, reflectors and lenses all degrade over time. And specifically the GQ's lights were barely adequate even when new.

Thus the newer cars' lihgts are probably ok but most guys with older cars seem to have done something to improve the sutuation.

If you add something extra, do give them seperate wiring with a deicated relay and fuze. The setup described by Cedric is quite common simply because it's the best way to do it.
Mag ons ons kenniskry met lekkerkry aanhoukry.
Post Reply

Return to “13c. Headlights and Replacement Lights”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests