Controlling PIAA 520s through stock "brite" switch?

[Kingfish1]

Does anyone know if its feasable to controll a set of PIAA 520s through my brite switch. That is, I want them to come on when I hit the factory brites on the steering column; I really don't want to mount an extra switch.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

01 Explorer Sport W/Westin Safari bar.

 

[mattadams]

Yes. You wire up the lights according to the provided diagram, except for where the wires run to the switch. Let's say for example that with the provided relay you have wires heading in three directions. First off is wires heading to the battery, then wires heading to the lights themselves, then wires running to the switch. In some relays this can be only one wire, in others it can be two or three, depending on switches provided. You'll want to cut all b the "hot" wire. This "hot wire" you will want to splice into the hot wire for your high beam, and you should be set! By doing this, the lights are getting allt he power they need from the battery, you aren't overburdening the stock relay, wiring, or switches. The relay only needs a few watts coming from the switch so this method works fine. When you activate the high beams, it sends the signal through its own relay of electricity to the wire heading to the lamps. This signal is picked up by the aftermarket relay and it turns your lights on. Let me know if you have any more questions.
I'm deleting your post from "under the hood" because it doesn't need to be in both places.

 

[Xplor]

Matt, I am probably in the market of the PIAA 520 or the 40s. The 520 has a 85 watt bulb right? This light can be used city streets legaly without blinding other drivers? Or is it primary a "off-road use" only? How is the construction on these light?...all metal or plastic? I used to have the 1200 projecters a while back when they used to make them. They were pretty much plastic. I got them stolen, which were torn off by force. Therefore, whoever took them can't use them again...if they going to try to mount them.

How are the 40 series? I notice is little bit cheaper and has a 55 watt bulb.

One last thing....PIAA makes this wireless remote switch. Do you have this? Or you know is they really work great? I thought one getting this if I go with one of these light I listed above.

Thanks

 

[mattadams]

the standard 520's (amber) are 85 watts. The 520 SMR's (clean lens) are 55 watts. However, you can use 85 watt bulbs in the SMR's without a problem. The 520's have a metal construction. I don't think any of their lights except some of the smaller lights like the 1400's use plastic housings.
Legally? No. Without blinding others? Yes. I use the 520 fogs in town all the time and never have people flash me or anything. And mine are in the stock fog light location (on my 00 F-150) so that isn't a concern either.
I don't know much about the 40 series unfortunatly. Everyone i know whos got them has been pleased with them.
As for the wireless kits, I had them in my F-150. i thought they were decent, but I still ended up running wires through the firewall, as I wanted the lights to come on only with the car, and couldn't find a hot fuse under the hood. I prefer the wire switch personally, but if it'd save you from running through the firewall then it's probably worth it .

 

[Xplor]

Thanks Matt, so basicly the 520 (SMR) are the "driving" light right? The one you have has the purplish/yellow tint which is "fog" ? If I decide to get the "driving" ones and change the bulb from a 55 to 85 watt, would the bulb be colored?...ion? or just clear.

 

[mattadams]

no, thats not true. Actually they used to just have the amberish version, and that one came in fog or driving. It was differentiated by the lens (the fog had flutes throughout which would force the light beams outwards and the driving lights only had some near the center), the 520 SMR's also come in fog or driving, the SMR's are just clear. The SMR's use the reflector rather then the lens ot differentiate between the two. For example, the 520 SMR fog lights have a bulb guard so the light isn't focused straight ahead, and the reflector is curved in areas to bounce the light properly. The 520 SMR drivings do not have that cover, and the reflector is smoother, so the light will go more forward then out to the sides..

 

[Xplor]

Thanks again Matt, I pretty much got it down now