Wipac spotlight

[Nax]

Just wanting to wire up the wipac spotlight that was on the car when I got it but not wired up.
Can I pick up from the existing loom or should it be new wiring?
Will in need a relay?
What size wire?
Thanks in advance

[oliver90owner]

One or a pair? Unless it has an LED fitted, it will likely draw around 4A/lamp.

Definitely a relay or heavier wiring if a pair and marginal if only one (illegal to operate only one, while driving, and they must extinguish when the headlamps are dipped).

So maybe a little more info, to get a definitive answer to a better question?

[geoberni]

One or a pair? Unless it has an LED fitted, it will likely draw around 4A/lamp.

Definitely a relay or heavier wiring if a pair and marginal if only one (illegal to operate only one, while driving, and they must extinguish when the headlamps are dipped).

So maybe a little more info, to get a definitive answer to a better question?

Ummmmm......
Can you give chapter and verse regarding it being illegal to only operate one?
You are correct about the changing to dip or extinguishing when dipping the Main beam.
There is no such thing as a 'Spot Light' in the Lighting Regs which can be a bit of a crossing referencing exercise at times.

They are 'Optional Lamps', not being part of the original equipment, and back in the 50s/60s it was quite common to mount a single Spot, or even a single Fog paired with a single Spot.
I think a single 'Spot' is covered by Vehicle Lighting Regs 1986, Schedule 5 Pt II,

Any number may be fitted and the only requirements prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted are those specified in paragraphs 7, 10 and 12(a) of Part I ......

The reference to para 10 of Pt I is the bit about the dipping

10. Electrical connections–

(a) Every main-beam headlamp shall be so constructed that the light emitted therefrom–

(i)can be deflected at the will of the driver to become a dipped beam, or
(ii)can be extinguished by the operation of a device which at the same time either–
(A)causes the lamp to emit a dipped beam, or
(B)causes another lamp to emit a dipped beam.
(b) Where a matched pair of main-beam headlamps is fitted they shall be capable of being switched on and off simultaneously and not otherwise.

[Nax]

Just the one spotlight it has a 45w bulb not led.

[geoberni]

Just the one spotlight it has a 45w bulb not led.

That's only around 3.5A so 9 strand 0.65mm2 diameter will be fine, it's rated for 5.75A.
Or you could use 14 strand 1.00mm2 diameter, which is rated for 8.75A.

I wouldn't bother with a relay for such a low current (I might if fitting a pair).
But to be legal, especially if you have the car MOT'd, I'd fit a relay to break the circuit if the Dip Headlight is ON.

I'd pick up a supply from the Green Fuse connections, to an inline 5A fuse, to the switch, then out to the engine bay and mount the 'Dip Relay' in the engine bay near the Spot.

[Nax]

Thanks for your advice.