7 replies to this topic

[bunch1980]

I want to add either 4 spots or 2 spots and 2 fogs to my 93' mini sprite. Read a few threads on them and confused as to when they are allowed to be used. Different terms high beam main beam etc.
Now I wanted to use them when lights are on low beam, which is what they are on 90% of the time as i dont do hardly any motorway or country lane driving.
If they are only allowed on high beam, when blue light is lit on dash. I expect I would be better off just adding 2 fogs and upgrading headlight to halogens?

[Cooperman]

The regulations say that spotlights must go out when the main headlights are dipped, which makes sense. The idea of spotlights is to increase the range of the main beam lights.
Foglights are short range spread-beam lights with a range normally less than the dipped headlights, so they are not much use except in thick fog. You can, of course, have 4 spots, but they must all go off on dip. You shouldn't need longer range when on dip and foglights won't really help at all. If the range on dip were increased you would simply blind other drivers in the same way as not dipping at all. The range on dip is meant to be restricted.
Don't forget to up-grade the wiring and use relays when fitting the extra lamps.

[bunch1980]

Thanks I thought that was the case just wanted to make sure, as otherwise spots will be more for show for me 90% of the time think I will get some halogens or something and maybe 2 fogs for those foggy days.
Would my 93' sprite have halogens?

[Ethel]

Driving lights that aren't dipped must have a warning light and must turn off when using dipped lights. You could use both driving (spots) and fogs without the headlights provided they are fitted in the correct position (height & distance from vehicle edge) - pointless with spots. Fogs are designed to throw out a low, flat, beam that doesn't bounce back off the fog into your eyes as easily - again pointless, if you have to use dipped beam as well.

[AVV IT]

You seem to be able to connect them into the main beam circuit without a problem, just be sure to do this via a relay kit & that they do not come on with the dipped beam headlights. I too have read some rather confusing threads here that seem to claim that additional lamps cannot be switched with main beam headlights & that they have to be operated by a separate switch?? (in which case, I'm not entirely sure quite when you are supposed to actually use them!!)

I can't quote the legalities of this, but both my mini & my 4x4 have spot/driving lamps switched via the main beam circuit, both make it through the MOT every year with no problems, I've never had any issues from PC plod about it (despite working next door to the local police station) & the 4x4 even had the spot lamps wired that way as standard from the factory! As far as I'm aware, so long as the spot lamps are switched off with main main beam & you are therefore not dazzling oncoming traffic on dipped beam, then there doesn't seem to be a problem.

[Cooperman]

You seem to be able to connect them into the main beam circuit without a problem, just be sure to do this via a relay kit & that they do not come on with the dipped beam headlights. I too have read some rather confusing threads here that seem to claim that additional lamps cannot be switched with main beam headlights & that they have to be operated by a separate switch?? (in which case, I'm not entirely sure quite when you are supposed to actually use them!!)

I can't quote the legalities of this, but both my mini & my 4x4 have spot/driving lamps switched via the main beam circuit, both make it through the MOT every year with no problems, I've never had any issues from PC plod about it (despite working next door to the local police station) & the 4x4 even had the spot lamps wired that way as standard from the factory! As far as I'm aware, so long as the spot lamps are switched off with main main beam & you are therefore not dazzling oncoming traffic on dipped beam, then there doesn't seem to be a problem.

Yes, that's how I've always understood it too.
I do also have a switch so that I can have main-beam heads on without the spots and can also have the spots on without the heads, but that is a 'fail-safe' system for my rally car. With the spots on with out the heads I have a 'dolls-eye' red warning light on the panel.
My spots have individual relays, one per light unit and the heads also have one relay each.

[AVV IT]

Would my 93' sprite have halogens?

Do you mean "Halogens" as in for standard headlights??... In which case no, it would have been fitted with sealed beam units as standard, (but may well have had a headlight conversion at some point by a previous owner.) If you are still running on sealed beams, then a headlight conversion is a far better idea than fitting auxiliary spot lamps, as it will vastly improve both your main & dipped beam headlights.

Also I wouldn't bother with front fog lamps as they are pretty useless in fog most of the time, especially if they are mounted in the standard mini position (in front of the grille) as they really need to be lower & further apart in order to be effective. As previously stated, you would also need to wire the fogs in separately to the spots, as fog lights need to be used without main beam in order to have any effect! Personally I'd just go for four spots switched via the main beam, nice & simple, with no need for additional switches & that will provide you with some decent extra main beam lighting, that you can use regularly!!

[bunch1980]

Would my 93' sprite have halogens?

Do you mean "Halogens" as in for standard headlights??... In which case no, it would have been fitted with sealed beam units as standard, (but may well have had a headlight conversion at some point by a previous owner.) If you are still running on sealed beams, then a headlight conversion is a far better idea than fitting auxiliary spot lamps, as it will vastly improve both your main & dipped beam headlights.

Also I wouldn't bother with front fog lamps as they are pretty useless in fog most of the time, especially if they are mounted in the standard mini position (in front of the grille) as they really need to be lower & further apart in order to be effective. As previously stated, you would also need to wire the fogs in separately to the spots, as fog lights need to be used without main beam in order to have any effect! Personally I'd just go for four spots switched via the main beam, nice & simple, with no need for additional switches & that will provide you with some decent extra main beam lighting, that you can use regularly!!

Yeah sorry meant headlights, Pretty sure they are stock then as says lucas on them and look old fashioned lol, not like modern Halgoen bulbs got a black tip and reflectors etc
the lens is more see through to.
I think some new halogen head lamps be best for me as I say i rarely use main/high beam, never going down country lanes etc often and atleast main be better with new lights!!!