Wiring Lights

[adam_randell]

ooooh i see. yes I have parking lights where i can pick a side to stay on when the car is off.

 

[Andy™]

Do you have parking lights, that is are the sidelights on separate fuses, per side?

side lights are almost always sided with individual fuses for each side.

additinally, many vehicles you can leave a specific side on (thats the side sticking into the road, for those idiots who think its a good idea to put NS side only when parked on the left)

you will need a SPDT relay. com will be connected to the light. NC will be connected to the sidelight feed. NO connected indicator. feed to relay coil will be from indicator, but must be before flasher.

so in normal operation, the light will always be connected to sidelight. when you switch the indicator on, the relay will change to indicator feed. which can then flash, and will work in sync

quite simple really (just couldnt think of it earlier). i would make a diagram but im sure you can figure it out from that

you may have further problems with canbus, and may need additional relays

 

[adam_randell]

Thanks for that Andy! You know your stuff eh.

Would it be possible to get a drawing of how it would all connect together? How many connections will I need on the SPDT? Im guessing 10A will be sufficient?

So shopping list: 2x SPDT relays

I really appreciate all of your help on this guys

 

[Andy™]

10a will be more than enough. 21w is is a bit under 2a, although your probably only using a 5w so bit under half an amp

drawing in 10 mins now here



i did think of doing something similar with my van but never got round to it. may be a future project though...

 

[adam_randell]

Cheers Andy! Much appreciated. I will get down to Maplin and get the relays tomorrow! 

Will post pics of the result. Really appreciate your help.

 

[Andy™]

maplin?! try www.cpc.co.uk

they may still have free delivery on all orders

 

[Nicky Tesla]

you need one of those photosensitive relays......an LED inside an Integrated circuit lights up when the indicators are on,  and shines onto a photodiode allowing current to flow in sink with the indicators.

Not quite the right relay but onthe right track.  He may have a better video in his collection

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpTUPl-JZA4

 

[adam_randell]

i will have a look at that cheers! Is there any specific SPDT that would be best for this application or will most do the job well?

 

[Andy™]

any SPDT relay with 12v coil would work

 

[adam_randell]

any SPDT relay with 12v coil would work

fantastic

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Interesting !  I have always had American cars which have sequential indicators that are illegal over here as the rear indicators will flash red and one brake light will go out also (we normally get round this by rewiring the indicator to the reversing light and fitting a amber light bulb)  Although now and in your case I would  experiment with soldering in some LED's.

 

[adam_randell]

To be honest, I like the halogen bulbs - it kind of goes with the whole demeanour of my car. I do have some 'anti canbus' wiring looms to be fair so i may see how they get on with regular leds and the canbus system. 

Ill let you know how I get on today (im just going to Maplin to get the relays as its only 3 miles from my house and may as well get the job done!)

 

[adam_randell]

So here is the relay i have 

(there is no 87a) which is NO / NC / COM?

 

[adam_randell]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/40a-spno-and-30a-spdt-automotive-relay-37526#media

 

[adam_randell]

one more thing - the indicators work off the OBC, so there is no physical relay that makes them flash :/

 

[Sidewinder]

So does the vehicle have CanBUS?

AKA ChassisCAN?

Is this a "NEW" joking BMW Mini or the real thing?

It looks like from your last post that it is a "new" Mini?
 
IF it is I "may" be able to sort something, as I do know a Snr Tech at the local BMW/Mini dealership, but I would need "intimate" info on the vehicle to get the info we would need, and, it would take a few days to weeks to get the right info and a solution possibly.

 

[adam_randell]

AWESOME

Yea it's a new mini (2007) let me know what you need and what I need to so and I'll do it!

 

[Sidewinder]

I would need the full reg. no. & the chassis no.

It would be best to PM them TBH & I will ask what can be done.

I cannot promise anything as it depends on whether he can pull the info up on their systems as everything is now electronic.