Just got my Hellas

[expl0der8]

I just picked up a set of hella 500 driving lights for my brush guard. My question is, since they are technically driving lights would it be illegal to use them along with my brights.

I'm thinking of connecting them to a power supply in the cabin so i can use them any time i want, when the truck is running, or i will connect them to the running lights so i just have to have the running lights on for them to work.

 

[Alec]

I'd hook them up totally separate from any other system. They are illegal to use onroad. I only use mine on rural roads when no one else is around or offroad. It would be a good idea to tap the switch through an ignition-on circuit so you can't accidentally leave them on.

 

[expo5.0]

i have my driving and fogs wired to a fuse that is connected to an ignition on only circuit i use them in town all the time. 130 watts of piaa usually makes people get out of the way. jk- i don't recommend using them for that purpose or condone it in any way

 

[expl0der8]

Originally posted by Alec
I'd hook them up totally separate from any other system. They are illegal to use onroad. I only use mine on rural roads when no one else is around or offroad. It would be a good idea to tap the switch through an ignition-on circuit so you can't accidentally leave them on.

Where can i easily find an ignition-on circuit. I found one when i hooked up my amp, might just use the same one, or is it a bad idea to tap into a wire twice.

 

[Alec]

Since you'll just be running a switch off it it doesn't really matter what circuit you're tapping into. Run dedicated power from the battery or similar source directly to the relay.

 

[expl0der8]

I'll find something when i do the install. Going to try and tackle it this upcoming sunday. Need to get a new test light before i start.

 

[Rob Slade]

Just wire them into your high beam wiring so that they cut off when you turn your high beams off. That is the way I have mine. This way you can have them on with your high beams and when someone comes toward you, you turn off your highs cutting off the driving lights.

 

[Bill Kemp]

I agree w/Rob. If hooked to your high beams they wont be on even with the high beams unless you turn them on. However once turned on they will go out when you dim your lights. If you use them on the highway, and who doesnt?, its a real pia to have to turn them on & off with a seperate switch.
Yes, they MAY be illegal but if you dim your lights for oncomming traffic who is ever gonna see them on?
I got lights so I can use them on the road and have never had a problem yet. Knock on wood....

 

[Kirk_Dunkley]

lol I use all my roof lights (275 watts worth) no probs

 

[expo5.0]

mine make my headlight brights so pointless that i never use them. so despite having them wired seperately i still only have one switch. also with the dual light system i wouldn't want to have the fogs inoperable without the brights... i guess thats not an issue here though.

 

[Kirk_Dunkley]

have a look at this- this is how I wired my lights.

http://photos.yahoo.com/enterthelight2002

 

[xlt-sport]

they are going to bright, 2 big blobs of light, hard to notice much other than the blobs. this is a good thing.

hook them up on a seperate switch.

do NOT limit yourself to 'brights only' thing, you would regret it.

peter

 

[expl0der8]

I am planing on wiring them to one of the running lights so i can use them even if the truck is not running, but they won't work unless i accidentailly leave the lights on.

 

[DocVijay]

I have some PIAA 1100X lights that are wired independent of the headlights. THese I can use at any time. In the factory fog location Imounted some PIAA 510 drving lights. These are pretty bright, so I wired them to come on with my high beams only. I'm happy with this setup. I just got my light brackets for my roof rack yesterday, so I'm going to get some more lights soon I hope. These lights will be on an ignition hot circuit and will be usable independent of the headlights. I also have a set of backup lights on my rack that come on automatically with the reverse lights, and also with a switch to politely "remind" tailgaters.

 

[Bill Kemp]

There is always the "three way switch" solution.
ON-OFF-ON positions. One ON position turns on the lights the other ON position is hooked to the high beam.
Just a thought....

 

[expl0der8]

I was even thinking of using 2 switches, but it would be to damn confusing. I'm going to use the one that came with it for now, maybe change it later.

 

[expl0der8]

DONE AND INSTALLED!!!!

I just installed my lights yesterday, only took me about 6 hours. Only because i'm seriously **** about seeing wires. I'm going to try and locate a 3 way switch to have it hooked up to my brights as well as a running light, but for now it's just hooked up to a running light.

 

[DocVijay]

Originally posted by expl0der8
DONE AND INSTALLED!!!!

I just installed my lights yesterday, only took me about 6 hours. Only because i'm seriously **** about seeing wires. I'm going to try and locate a 3 way switch to have it hooked up to my brights as well as a running light, but for now it's just hooked up to a running light.

Take some pics!

 

[expl0der8]

I would, but i'm a poor SOB that can't afford a digital camera. When i update my website with pics i'll post the link.