RazMan
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| posted on 30/8/05 at 10:21 PM |
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Dim dipped headlights?
I may need to install sidelights into my non-sidelight headlamps. It suddenly occurred to me that my old Nissan had dim-dipped headlights, presumeably
using some kind of a voltage dropping circuit to achieve the lower light level.
Does anyone know if this is easily done with some simple circuitry and if Mr SVA would have any problems with this setup?
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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Hellfire
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| posted on 30/8/05 at 11:58 PM |
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The problem with dim-dip headlights and why they stopped doing them is very simple. They damage the bulb so should need replacing more frequently. The
upside is that due to lower surge they actually never needed replacing as much... it's a simple resistor I believe. The circuitry of our donor
Sierra had them... looks quite simple to do, but whether it is or not is another matter.
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Dusty
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| posted on 31/8/05 at 12:54 AM |
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Its actualy quite complex in the sierra using two relays and connecting the dip bulbs in series to give the dimming. Mr SVA wants to see side lights
which can be a separate bulb inside the headlamp housing.
[Edited on 31/8/05 by Dusty]
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RazMan
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| posted on 31/8/05 at 07:53 AM |
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Looks like Plan B will have to come into play then 
I will need to carefully drill a hole in the reflector to poke a bulb holder through 
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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britishtrident
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| posted on 31/8/05 at 08:02 AM |
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The reason why dim-dip when out of fashion is it never gained the popularity in th rest of europe it had in the UK. However it is not acceptable
without sidelamps also being fitted.
The easy way to get it working is to use the relay and resistor from a Volvo 340 -- easy to remove it is mounted under the bonnet high on the
bulkhead. A lot of other manufacturers such as Rover mounted the dim dip relay and ressistor behind the front bumper below the the lh head light unit
-- this causes a lot of problems with corrosion of the termminals.
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RazMan
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| posted on 3/12/05 at 08:19 PM |
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Having taken a closer look at my headlights, it is going to be very difficult to add a sidelight to them. I was planning to glue an LED into the
reflector, but as it is a delicate glass/ceramic composite I risk writing off the whole headlight.
It looks like a dim dip setup might be my only solution.
Before I start to go down this route, does anyone know if a dim dip light is ok for Mr SVA. I do not intend to use the dim dip feature - I just want
it to pass SVA.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 3/12/05 at 08:23 PM |
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Dim Dip is what it say's it puts the dip beam on dimly. You need separate sidelight bulbs for SVA. Can you use a front sidelight/indicator lamp
?
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RazMan
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| posted on 3/12/05 at 08:29 PM |
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I didn't want to have to use an extra lamp to do the job. As it stands I have the main headlight (dip & main in one unit) and indicator
units (clear lense with amber bulb)
With a little bit of ingenuity I could put two bulbs (amber & clear) into the indicator housing but I am not sure if 'sharing' a light
will be ok for SVA either.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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Peteff
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| posted on 3/12/05 at 08:46 PM |
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The sidelight shares with the headlight, what's the difference? It's worth a try, you can always ring an sva station and ask them they are
very helpful.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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RazMan
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| posted on 3/12/05 at 08:55 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
The sidelight shares with the headlight, what's the difference?
The only difference is that they would be different colours.
The BMW Mini uses a circular indicator/sidelight but I think it must have a divider to separate the reflector, effectively making it two separate
lights.
I had a similar setup on my old Nissan - the reversing light and fog light shared the same reflector, and a relay ensured that both could not be
switched on at the same time. This completely confused the MOT guy but in the end he had to agree that both lights were working ok, so he passed
it.
Me thinks a call to Mr SVA is in order
[Edited on 3-12-05 by RazMan]
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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