Daytime headlights

[Nicely]

Moving to Finland very soon, so need to get used to driving with dipped lights at all times.

I'm wondering if any of the electrics gurus out there could give me details as to what I need to do to wire the lighting system to switch on/off via position 2 on the ignition (preferably with a diagram).

Had thought of buying one of those auto lights on kits which use a light sensor and covering the sensor. However, I'm thinking that its going to be a lot simpler to just have than on permanently with the ignition.

[charvell]

cant you just bypass the switch so the lights come on with the ignition? I have no idea how to do that

[Apache]

Might just be easier to leave the lights in dipped position all the time and just use a relay energised by an 'ign on live' in series with the feed. That way its easy to return it to standard.

[charvell]

thats exactly what i thought

[Nicely]

Not too worried about returning it to standard. Come 2011 all new cars in the EU must have permanent daytime lights, so it's not really going to be an issue.

[Apache]

It's still a very easy way to do it.

[SoundsDigital]

The only thing on the headlight stalk that will come on with the ignition off os the sidelights. Would the simplest answer be to disconnect the permanent live wrom the plug on the back of the switch and connect it to a switched supply from the ignition which should also be available on the plug for the headlights then leave the headlights on 24/7? this way when you turn the ignition off the lights go out anyway so no need to turn the lights off on the switch ever again. Altenatively connect the wire to the auxilliary on the ignition so that if you needed to leave the lights on without the engine running you can turn the key on to auxilliary.

[Paul1566]

Do they have to be WIRED to come on or can you just rely on yourself to switch them on ?
I say this cus alot of us biker types round here, and there is alot, ask Apache he parked in the middle of the road to say hi earlier this year, automatically switch our bike lights on without thinking before we ride off.
Canadian models have an extra relay fitted in the kick panel for daytime lights, wonder if the wirings there just no relay ?????

[biosurf]

Put a sticker on the steering wheel saying SWITCH LIGHTS ON!

simples.

[Nicely]

Lol

I know. However, after 20-25 years of driving with lights OFF during daylight hours, I can guarantee that I'll forgot sooner or later. And forgetting means a fine.

I've now taken the easy option and bought an automatic lights on/off kit. This detects the light level and switches the headlights on/off accordingly. A small strip of insulating tape over the sensor will adjust the setting for Scandinavian driving...