Sidelights & Headlights

[davidimurray]

Any one got any thoughts on should the lights be wired from the permanent live supply, or should they be on a switched supply from the ignition? I cannot see anything in the IVA manual saying it has to be one or the other. Checking the girlfriends car (fiat) her lights only come on when the ignition is on. Meanhwile on my MG the lights come on without the ignition being on!

[Talonmotorsport]

As the roadster is open to all the world it would make sense to have the lights wired in after the ignition switch. It only takes one idiot to reach in and switch every thing on and flattern the battery. One way round it would be to remove the kill switch (IVA requirement if I remember correctly) every time you leave the car in which case does it matter?

[davidimurray]

I was thinking something similar. The horn needs to be a permanent live I think.

With regard to a battery cut-off switch looking at the IVA book the only reference I can see is in the Anti-theft section where it says specifically that a battery cut off does not count as an anti-theft device - only an electronic immobiliser or a mechanical steering lock does. From what I've read I think that the column ignition switch and mechanical steering lock is all you need.

[HandyAndy]

i have my lights so that they work without the ignition on, as already mentioned, i,ll be taking the battery cut off key out every time I leave the car so it won,t drain the battery if wandering hands play with any switches .

cheers
andy

[ozzy1]

I thought just your hazards need to be permanent live .

[spud69]

The only thing it says is for parking lamps which used to be separate to headlights and tail lights, they are optional but prohibited for vehicles in excess of 6m long and 2m wide, if fitted though they have to be able to operate with the engine immobilised. Only other requirement is for hazards as said.

Good luck with the minefield, but there are some good diagrams for light positions if you search......AndyH

[davidimurray]

Excellent - thanks guys - will get on with my wiring diagram later today. Next job is to make sense of the fog light wiring

[HandyAndy]

Originally Posted by davidimurray

Next job is to make sense of the fog light wiring

I have the instructions from Premier wiring of how to wire in the fog light so that it only works with the dipped beam or high beam , as this is the new IVA requirement.( can,t operate on side lights only )
My loom is a Premier wiring loom

cheers
andy

[davidimurray]

Premier wiring loom - that's cheating Andy - and surely not the cheapest option

Does the premier loom use diodes or an extra relay to get around the fog light wiring?

[HandyAndy]

well it might not have been the cheapest option, but seeing as I didn,t have the original loom I waited until premier had a "sale" on, got the new loom for £100 delivered

Now, i,m not into electrickery but I believe it uses an extra relay to get around the rear fog light operation, I,ll also admit........ I had an auto electrician fit the loom & wire up most things such as engine management thingy me bob
But I still have the instructions that came with the loom......all double dutch to me

cheers
andy