Spotlight and Reverse Lamp Wiring location?

Post by **h20_mako** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:30 am

I will be fixing 2 spotlights and a reverse lamp on front and rear valance respectively.

Would like some suggestions on where will be the most appropriate location for these wires to run through the body of the car.

Thanks.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:19 am

Just follow on the existing wiring.

Post by **mike.perry** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:09 am

Earth the spotlights onto the bottom radiator bolts. How you run your supply depends on where you are getting the power from. You can wire them in to the dip switch so they operate on main beam or wire them from the light switch via a separate switch.
The reversing lamp must have a warning light which can be separate or built into the switch. If you run the feed from the side light terminal there is less chance of leaving it on over night.
Whilst you are at it what about a rear fog light to complete the set.

Post by **billlobban** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 12:57 pm

With the spot lights you can have the best of both worlds. Buy a 'centre off' 3 position switch. Give one live from the dip switch main beam and the other from the light switch. The centre terminal goes to the spot lights. Flick the swich one way and you have spots on their own the other way gives spots on main beam

Post by **h20_mako** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:52 pm

sorry what would the dip switch be? And what it does?

For the reverse light i do have a 2way switch with built in warning light. It will be placed in the centre portion under the rear valance. Fog light isnt really useful here.
I would like the wiring to be neat and discrete, but am not sure whats the best way to run it through the rear.
Any ideas?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:54 pm

Just follow the existing wiring!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by **mike.perry** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 4:16 pm

The dip switch is the foot operated switch on the floor near the clutch pedal which changes the headlights between dip and main beam.

Post by **h20_mako** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 1:31 am

i didnt know that exist. Thanks Mike.

hi Roy yeah i do know to follow existing wiring but what i meant is how to lay the wire from the rear valance to the boot. you see there is no existing wiring from the rear bumper valance to the rear body. I do not want the wire to be seen dangling. Should I pull the wire through the valance mounting bolt through the bumper rubber ferrule? will any problems arise, like rubbing?

thanks

Post by **mike.perry** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:45 am

I drilled a small hole in the boot floor, fitted a rubber grommet and pushed the wires through. I drilled a bigger hole for the trailer lighting cables.

Post by **h20_mako** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 1:03 am

thanks mike but will the hole inhibit rust? do you have a picture of how the wire are run from the valance to the hole in the boot?

Post by **mike.perry** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:34 am

The wire just loops from the reversing light up through the hole. If you are worried about rust you can always slap a bit of paint around the hole.

Post by **h20_mako** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 12:28 pm

Right. Thanks!

Post by **Peetee** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:11 pm

Dont drill anything yet. Lift the wooden floor panels out of the boot (trunk) and you will see the existing wiring bundle where it passes through the floor. There should be enough room for the additional wiring you require and, as BMC stated, just follow that route. I did the same and found some self adhesive fabric tape to bundle the new and old wires together.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:40 pm

Exactly.

Post by **Peetee** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:19 pm

Yes that's exactly what I did.

Post by **h20_mako** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:03 am

hrm i got what you guys meant by follow existing wiring.

i have attached a picture. what i like to know is how to wire from point 1 to point 2.

Point 1 is Bumper/Valance
Point 2 is Boot

thanks

Post by **Peetee** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:18 am

Take the wires out the same way they go for the rear lights. Route them towards the bumper support bar using plastic 'P' clips. Attach the wires to the bumper support bar with cable ties.

Or you can avoid most of this by bolting the additional lights to the underside of the boot floor.

Post by **h20_mako** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:47 am

yes yes thanks alot Peetee

i have made a mounting for the reverse lights as shown. Circle in Red is where it will be mounted shown in the following photo.
So i guess cable tie on bumper support bars then to the usual wiring routes are my only option.

But if i am to consider placing the lights under the bonnet floor, wouldn't that subject to drilling holes? But that will definitely eliminate my problem of unsightly wires.

Thanks

Post by **Declan_Burns** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:45 am

Here's how I mounted mine.

Indication on speedo

Light working

Switch

I have written an article on how to do this, if anybody wants it PM me

Post by **mike.perry** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:02 pm

Mount the lights as close up under the bumper as possible to reduce the risk of reversing in to kerbs with them.

Morris Minor Owners Club

Spotlight and Reverse Lamp Wiring location?

Spotlight and Reverse Lamp Wiring location?

Reversing light