LED light bar wiring

[peteh80]

Been thinking of mounting an LEA light bar to the front bumper for a while. Does anyone know anything about wiring them up and if it will mess up the canbus wiring? I'd probably get a wiringbajrmess with the light and cut out the switch so they light bar came on with the main beams only...

[peteh80]

Anyone?

[peteh80]

I'd say the general recommendation (for anything, not just a Berlingo) is to connect it via a relay, with the contacts fed directly from the fusebox.  This way, the only extra load you're adding to the headlight circuit is the tiny bit of current needed to switch the relay on - the current to power the LEDs then comes straight from the fusebox along your new wire.

I considered doing it myself, and I think they're probably legal but I did read discussions about whether it was or not, so I'm not sure.  But the big problem for those that have fitted them is that, when you're driving on that dark country road, you can see brilliantly on full beam.  But then when you see a car coming the other way you dip the beam but your eyes are used to the near enough daylight you had a second ago so you can't se a thing for quite a while until your eyes adjust.

So, weirdly, more light can sometimes mean you can see less.  With standard full beam at least your eyes are already adjusted to the lower light you get when dipped.  I've found it's OK with decent Osram Nightbreaker bulbs, plus I'll sometimes put the front fog lights on if I'm out in the sticks - I know this is a bit naughty but lots do it.  I always switch them off if I end up following someone, although most who drive behind me don't bother.

I think your right there- will definitely have to be via a fused seperate circuit, any competant auto electrician would be able to do it.
As regards legal sides of things, i was just going to have the light on a quick release plug so if i get stopped i can take them off. I was hoping to have them mounted on a number plate bracket but not sure whether 4 self tapping screws would be enough to hold it securely (removing the bumper would be a pain!)
A full kit off Amazon is coming out at only £60 or so- plus the cost of wiring the lights up.....

[peteh80]

It`s going to be an LED light bar and not 2 individual spots. Even thought about chopping into the grille and mounting it in the recess........