How to Correctly Wire Driving Lights

One of the best do-it-yourself improvements in automobile safety involves installing improved lighting. Driving lights can greatly enhance your ability to see farther at night, especially on dark country roads. Note that many states have laws on the books that restrict the use of driving lights to times when the headlights are switched to high beam.

Things You'll Need

• Signal Stat 192 relay or equivalent 14-gauge primary wire Inline fuse holder 10 amp fuse Solderless connectors

Instructions

1. Turn the high beam headlights on.

2. Locate the plug on the back of the headlight most accessible to your hand and unplug it.

3. Use a test light or voltmeter and determine which of the three contacts has power on.

4. Shut off the headlights.

5. Connect a length of 16-gauge wire to this powered wire with a Scotchlok connector.

6. Select a location near the battery to mount the relay using a self-tapping sheet metal screw.

7. Crimp an insulated female spade connector to the 16-gauge wire from the headlight plug wire, and attach it to terminal 30 of the Signal Stat 192 relay.

8. Install a solderless ring terminal to one lead of the inline fuse holder and a solderless butt connector to the other lead.

9. Extend the lead with the butt connector to make the inline fuse holder long enough to reach from the battery to the relay. Use 14-gauge wire here.

10. Crimp an insulated female solderless connector to the extended lead of the fuse holder and attach it to relay terminal 87.

11. Make a 14-gauge jumper wire with insulated female solderless connectors and connect relay terminals 87a and 85.

12. Mount the driving lights on the front of the vehicle--on the same level as the headlights will provide the greatest boost in lighting distance, but this may not be possible on some cars.

13. Connect a 14-gauge wire to one driving light with a butt connector. Connect the other light to the 14-gauge wire with a Scotchlok connector.

14. Crimp a female solderless connector on the end of the 14-gauge wire to the driving lights and connect to relay terminal 86.

15. Connect the ring terminal on the fuse holder lead to the positive post of the battery and install the 10 amp fuse in the holder.

16. Turning the headlights on high beam will power the relay, switching on the driving lights.

Tips & Warnings

• Tape all connections, or coat with liquid electrical tape.

• Disconnect the battery when working with vehicle wiring.