I know... I know... we have an "Electrical Modifications" forum, but my first question on these sat there for two days with nary an answer, so hopefully someone HERE can help me.

I got my lights today (4" Hella Optilux w/"Angel Eyes" lights- each has a main bulb and a second light set into a ring around the outside, like this):



I looked at the switch, and found that it appears to be a "2 position" device with 3 poles on the back, that can run either the ring lights OR the main driving lights (it's hard to be certain since the directions say absolutely nothing about the way it works in practice- I'm infering things from a sketchy diagram). I'm assuming that "Off" is the center position, and that one side of the switch turns on the ring lights, which are really just a pair of cool whitish-blue LEDS it looks like, and the other side turns on the main driving lights. The switch is surprisingly small and fairly attractive (although it does NOT have a OEM look- I may consider hiding it).

QUESTION: The ring LEDs look to be run via a single wire... Can I assume that, of the 3 wires in the light housing, one is the hot lead for the LEDs, one is the hot lead for the main bulbs, and they share a ground wire (the third one)? If I remember how SPDT (single pole, dual throw) switches work, this is logically how they'd work. Again, I'm not positive that the included switch works this way, but it seems logical. If anyine has previously wired this type of light and can tell me, that would help).

I ask because I wonder how I'd wire up the LEDs to my parking light lead, so they are on whenever my lights are on, but keep the main lights on the seperate switch... Does anyone know? This light runs off a RELAY that splices right into the main battery hot lead with a fuse set between the battery and the relay box. LEDs are just like any other device- they need a hot wire and a ground to work, right?

The Hellas seem beefy enouggh and the size is good, but rhe instructions leave a bit to be desired.. It doesn't even explain how the switch works, exactly. I'm having the lights installed by a vendor later in August, but I kind of want to be able to tell him how exactly I want them to work and be wired up, to spare him the hassle and delay of trial and error. Aren't I a nice guy?

Thanks as always, guys!

 

Wow... if I stumped YOU guys, then I must be DOOMED.

 

I finally got the info on the switch and wiring - nvm. Thanks!

 

>LEDs are just like any other device- they need a hot wire and a ground to work, right?


yep

 

>I ask because I wonder how I'd wire up the LEDs to my parking light lead, so they are on whenever my lights are on, but keep the main lights on the seperate switch...

wat do you mean by this? you want the LED to turn on with the
parking light, but then turn off when the headlight is fired up?

 

Nope.. I want the LEDs on all the time, whenever my parking lights are on. The LED "angel eyes" DO in fact have a hot wire and a ground - the ground wire just isn't shown on their wiring diagram (feh).

I still need to ponder whether or not I'll put the LEDs on the included switch (position #1 is "angel eyes"LEDs only and position #2 is main lights only), so that I could, say, turn them on even in the daytime, or if I want to splice the LEDs into the parking lights (they're on a seperate circuit, independent of the turn signal flashers). That's more convenient, but they'd only light when my parking lights or headlights are on. Either way, I'm wiring the main lights into the switch, but I COULD wire them to the high beams, too if I want a "switchless" install. I want the driving lights independent so I can use them as passing flashers.

 

if you're just trying to light up with the parking lights, cut all that
crap off and wire directly in parallel to your parking lights. Just tap
into the wires. there is direction on LED's (+/-) so if it doesn't
light up one way, flip the wiring over. make sure that the LED's
run off of 12v before you tap in.

 

How should I test them on the 12V? I don't want to overload them by hooking onto a lead that's too hot.

 

read the instructions?

what does the box say?

 

Almost nothing.

All they gave was a wiring diagram (one that was missing any reference to the LED ground wire - feh) and directions "Wire the lights as shown above". No mention of testing or anyhting, and the instructions are only for an install using the included switch- they make no mention of splicing into the parking lights - I sort of got that idea reading what othe rpeople had done.

I actually called Hella and talked to a guy that said they should work fine wired into the parking lights, so I figured I was good to go.

 

^^ take their word for it. splice it and let us know if the LED's
explode! lol jk

If those were made for automotive use from the beginning using
a regular automotive relay, it should be fine.