Electrical/ light fitting advice please

[MarkP]

Hii, I've bought a set of led daytime lights that I intend to fit to the motorhome, the instructions state that the three wires are connected as follows; red to the fuse box (to an ignition controlled fuse), black to the negative battery terminal and white to the headlights. The problem is due to the battery being in the cab the black wire will never reach, would it be ok if I fitted it to a metal section as an earth? I've tested this and it works but I'm worried incase this flattens the battery or something stupid!!
Thanks for any advice

 

[chaser]

Hii, I've bought a set of led daytime lights that I intend to fit to the motorhome, the instructions state that the three wires are connected as follows; red to the fuse box (to an ignition controlled fuse), black to the negative battery terminal and white to the headlights. The problem is due to the battery being in the cab the black wire will never reach, would it be ok if I fitted it to a metal section as an earth? I've tested this and it works but I'm worried incase this flattens the battery or something stupid!!
Thanks for any advice

its the same thing as the battery negative is only connected to the chassis earth

 

[xsparks]

Put your mind at rest,all the items on your vehicle that require a neutral do not return to the battery.

 

[MarkP]

Great stuff, thanks both.

 

[pappajohn]

I assume, so as to comply with lighting regs, the lights dim when the headlamps are turned on and that is the reason for the headlamp connection.

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[MarkP]

Yep, correct. If you connect the white wire......

 

[MarkP]

A little follow up question, a video I watched recently stated that when I've identified an ignition controlled fuse I should test both sides of the terminal to check for the 'charge' side. Apparently if my additional fuse is placed in the wrong way round then the circuit won't be protected by the fuse. Has anyone heard of this and able to throw a little light on it??

 

[The Wino]

A little follow up question, a video I watched recently stated that when I've identified an ignition controlled fuse I should test both sides of the terminal to check for the 'charge' side. Apparently if my additional fuse is placed in the wrong way round then the circuit won't be protected by the fuse. Has anyone heard of this and able to throw a little light on it??

The only issue I can think of is one way round your fuse will protect your new lights and if the existing fuse blows other circuits won't work but yours will. If its connected tot he other side if the existing fuse blows yours circuit does too (but your fuse won't). If the existing fuse is quite a low rating adding the DRLs might up the current to near the max before it blows but I would have thought if you choose a reasonably chunky feed it will make little difference.

 

[MarkP]

Yes, that what the video explained. I like your suggestion of using a higher feed tho. Will look into it cheers

 

[pappajohn]

I assume, so as to comply with lighting regs, the lights dim when the headlamps are turned on and that is the reason for the headlamp connection.

Yep, correct. If you connect the white wire......

Just a thought..... Where are you going to connect the white wire?
It will HAVE TO go to the lights on/off switch output.
Connect to dip and the DRLs will be on when full beam is on.
Connect to full and visa versa.
Unless of course dip remains lit when full beam is also lit then it can connect to a dip feed anywhere providing it isn't canbus controlled .

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[MarkP]

A little conundrum I don't intend on dealing with?

 

[Lenny HB]

Just a thought..... Where are you going to connect the white wire?
It will HAVE TO go to the lights on/off switch output.
Connect to dip and the DRLs will be on when full beam is on.
Connect to full and visa versa.
Unless of course dip remains lit when full beam is also lit then it can connect to a dip feed anywhere providing it isn't canbus controlled .

Normally with after fit DRL's you connect to the sidelights.

 

[pappajohn]

Normally with after fit DRL's you connect to the sidelights.

I did think of that Lenny, but that means the DRLs are attenuated when they are needed most.... Overcast light conditions but not enough to warrant headlamps. .

 

[pappajohn]

A little conundrum I don't intend on dealing with?

A decision has to be made.
Its illegal to have them ON full power with dip OR main headlamps at the same time.

 

[pappajohn]

A little conundrum I don't intend on dealing with?

A decision has to be made.
Its illegal to have them ON full power with dip OR main headlamps at the same time.

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[pappajohn]

A little conundrum I don't intend on dealing with?

A decision has to be made.
Its illegal to have them ON full power with dip OR main headlamps at the same time.

 

[pappajohn]

Bloody slow Internet tonight

 

[MarkP]

For a second i thought you were the wife nagging me again! Aye I will be connecting them up properly, haven't had chance to look at them or the instructions since.
Thanks for all the comments.

 

[The Wino]

I did think of that Lenny, but that means the DRLs are attenuated when they are needed most.... Overcast light conditions but not enough to warrant headlamps. .

I would have said by definition if its overcast enough to need DRLs to make you more visible its gloomy enough to need dipped headlights sidelights shouldn't be used alone in daytime if you put them on you are recognising the need to be seen which requires the use of dipped beam headlights!