High Beam Switch Question

CopperBaja · Post by **CopperBaja** » Fri May 11, 2007 8:05 pm

Can I run a step type High Beam switch AND a relay?

I was wiring it up per the diagram, then looked at another diagram and they have what it looks like to be an option to do one or the other.

Since I've already terminated the ends to the relay, is it possible to use the relay in conjunction with a step switch?

Post by **Marc** » Fri May 11, 2007 10:36 pm

If you wired the relay and the floor-switch in parallel you'd end up with both high and low beams on anytime you didn't use the same one twice in a row. What you could do is use a momentary-contact switch (think horn button) on the floor, in parallel with the one in the t'signal switch, so that either one would trigger the relay

CopperBaja · Post by **CopperBaja** » Sat May 12, 2007 12:15 am

I don't have one in the turn signal switch.

I'm using a 2 position switch (SPDT) for the turn signals.

So, I'm guessing that a momentary switch would work since that is what is usually in the turn signal switch, right?

Do they make a foot switch like that? Guess I'll look around.

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Sat May 12, 2007 5:29 am

CopperBaja wrote:I

Do they make a foot switch like that? Guess I'll look around.

Crazy idea.. sythesizers use a footswich like this for sustain.. you could upgrade the internal switch (if it's too small).

Post by **Marc** » Sat May 12, 2007 9:33 am

You could probably gut a standard foot-operated dimmer switch (remove the teeter-totter mecahnism) and rig a microswitch inside.
I installed a VW hi/lo relay in a motorhome I once had and simply used a small generic horn button to trigger it:
http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:5-l ... ton4lg.jpg

Post by **2088 bob** » Sun May 13, 2007 4:32 am

the vw flip /flop high/ low beam relay only needs a pulse signal and not a maintained signal but you guys already knew that

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Mon May 14, 2007 5:40 am

Add on question.

When we're turning on high beams.. are we really ignitighting BOTH tungsten elements in the bulb

Post by **Marc** » Mon May 14, 2007 2:00 pm

No. On some cars that do the beam-switching right at the column-mounted switch it is possible to hold the lever and get power to both high and low beams simultaneously, but by their design the floor-mounted dimmer switch and the hi/lo relay are both incapable of powering more than one circuit at a time.

Post by **2088 bob** » Mon May 14, 2007 5:13 pm

i have a late model f150 ford pickup when running low beams and pulling up on my high beam flash lever i momentarily get both elements together but many years ago i was dicking around with an old chev pickup i had i rewired the head lights so that i could keep high a low elements on together at same time ....result a slightly elevated light output but the bulbs would only last a very short time those sealed beams were not designed to contend with the heat output of the two elements working together for extended periods of time

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Tue May 15, 2007 7:59 am

That makes street ghetto sense..

Thanks bob.

CopperBaja · Post by **CopperBaja** » Wed May 16, 2007 3:25 pm

Marc wrote:You could probably gut a standard foot-operated dimmer switch (remove the teeter-totter mecahnism) and rig a microswitch inside.
I installed a VW hi/lo relay in a motorhome I once had and simply used a small generic horn button to trigger it:
http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:5-l ... ton4lg.jpg

Thanks Marc! I think I'm going to run with that idea...I saw one like that at Autozone.

rickosuave1987 · Post by **rickosuave1987** » Thu May 17, 2007 9:34 pm

CopperBaja wrote:1998 Triumph Speed Triple T509 (Wrecked 5/12/07 OUCH!)

Hey what happened??

CopperBaja · Post by **CopperBaja** » Fri May 18, 2007 9:54 am

Wrecked up in Ramona....Just back to work yesterday.
A bit of road rash and a bruised tailbone....mostly bruised ego.