I am running a pair of MINI driving lights, each with it's own switch. I have the euro parcel shelf and would like to install it with only ONE switch to control both lights. Anyone know if that's possible, if the switch and wires can handle the power, and if the lights will have to be reprogrammed to get it to do this?

 

FYI, last I heard dealers were denying warranty repairs on engines on cars with 4 driving lights, due to lack of airflow to the cooling system. Might want to do some reseach on that mod if you are still in warranty.

 

If I get what you mean, it should be posible with no problem. European spec Minis have both lights come on automatically with the high beams. Any switch or power lines you buy should be rated for a pair of lights, since this is how they are usually installed. I am working on a light bar for my roof which will add 4 more lights to the two PIAA 520's mounted on the grille. There should be plenty of power to run them, and no warranty problems.

 

We have all 4 lights running to the same factory switch for 2 lights. Just added the wires

 

If you want to use the same switch to power 4 lamps, it's best to add the second set as a separately fused circuit controlled by the original circuit by a relay. This will prevent overloading the original circuit (rated for only 15 amps) as well as more effectively power the additional set. All that is needed aside from wire is a relay and a fuseholder to make this work.

Note that each driving light draws approximately 4.6 amps each (for 55 watt bulbs) for a total of 18.4 amps. The original circuit cannot supply this amount of current for long before the fuse pops. The stock relay is actually a solid-state affair and I am not sure how much current beyond 15 amps it will take for any length of time.

 

And if anyone knows about Dealer warranty its these two.