Relay wiring: Is this right?

[lectric80]

My driving lights are only supposed to be on with the high beams in Utah. Since this is the case, and I don't want all the amperage running through my switch, I planned on using a pair of relays. Can someone tell me if there is another way to do this?

Here is my plan:

1. Headlight circuit will provide power to the switch.
2. Switch will send power to the first relay sense connection.
3. 20 amp power from first relay goes to second relay power connection.
4. Low beam power goes to second relay sense connection.

The idea being that the switch will only get power when the headlights are on, which will turn the first relay on, or if I don't want the driving lights I can switch the switch off. Then, even though the first relay is providing the power connection to the second relay, if my high beams are on the lights will be off. When I put it on low beams, the second relay would switch the power on to the lights. I don't know of any other way to do this without using two relays, and still have override capability.

 

[Jason4x4]

Run the headlight circuit into a switch, then to the relay. You just eliminated relay #2, since you are running relays, you don't need to worry about the voltage drop across the switch.

 

[noJeepshere]

here's the diagram i did mine with, just like you should have it.

 

[lectric80]

If I did this with one relay, and fed power from the headlight low beam switch, then I wouldn't need the second relay. At least I think that would work, any ideas?
My biggest concern is I don't want to have to manually turn off the lights when I turn on the high beams. I just want to be able to hit the floor switch and have the lights be on at low beam, and off at high beams, while still having the capability to shut them down when they are not needed.

 

[blazin_blazer]

u want them on w/ the low beam?

 

[noJeepshere]

wired this way, you just leave the off road light switch "on" and theyll go on and off with the high beams, just the way you want it.

 

[blazin_blazer]

i'm confused he said, and i quote ''turn off the lights when I turn on the high beams. I just want to be able to hit the floor switch and have the lights be on at low beam''

???

 

[noJeepshere]

not exactly sure either, I like to have more power with the high beams. lectric?

 

[lectric80]

u want them on w/ the low beam?

Yep, if they are mounted as driving lights below the bumper centerline, they can only be run with the low beams in Utah. If you look at new trucks and such, the low beams turn the driving lights on.

wired this way, you just leave the off road light switch "on" and theyll go on and off with the high beams, just the way you want it.

Thanks, that's what I needed to know.

 

[lectric80]

not exactly sure either, I like to have more power with the high beams. lectric?

I am also doing the relay mod to the headlights, but this focus is on the driving lights.

 

[noJeepshere]

checked your blog, I see what you are talking about, did you put them on? I thought they were on top of the bumper, since that is the easiest place to mount them, and they're "kinda" out of harms way there. Now you just gotta put some BIG driving lights on top of the bumper to have with your high beams, they make a huge difference on the road.

btw, you look like my cousin.

 

[lectric80]

I did put those lights on, they were just $20 wally world specials. The way the mount is set up on them was ideal for mounting them to the front of the bumper. I have torn off lights on the bottom of the bumper, and I seem to break them when they are on top, so this was the best way I could think of to do it. There will be some bigger lights on the top of the bumper once I can afford to order one from DIY4X.

I don't know if looking like your cousin is a compliment or not.

 

[noJeepshere]

It is

 

[lectric80]

Well, thanks to your diagram I have a complete plan for getting this done. Now if the weather would just cooperate. Oh and if anyone could get the bolts I need for the hubs, that would really help accomplish my goals for the weekend.