Disco 2 Spotlight wiring

Bobdog · Jun 25, 2017

My newest D2 has a spotlight bar but no spotlights. The seller told me all the wiring was apparently there but he never used it. There does appear to be wiring in place behind the grill. Is there a simple/quick way of testing to see if it has power? I would assume, as there is no separate switch, it would be wired up to the high beam like my old D1 was.

sierrafery · Jun 25, 2017

here is some info: http://www.discovery2.co.uk/spots.html

Bobdog · Jun 25, 2017

sierrafery said:
here is some info: http://www.discovery2.co.uk/spots.html

Thanks for that, though i have the wiring in place. Whoever removed the spots in the past just cut the wires in the grille. I just need to test if they are getting power. Is there a simple way of doing that? Would an electrical tester - the 'pen type' which lights up and beeps when you hold it against a live cable tell me if they have power (obviously with ignition and lights on)

sierrafery · Jun 25, 2017

In that link there are the wire colours for the factory fitted spots wiring and which has to be live explained if you scroll down to the middle.... just that at a point an additional switch is retrofitted, off course that you can check for voltage on any wire

Bobdog · Jun 25, 2017

sierrafery said:
In that link there are the wire colours for the factory fitted spots wiring and which has to be live explained.... just that at a point an additional switch is retrofitted, off course that you can check for voltage on any wire

I might have answered my own question... screwfix sell the pens but they test 100-1000v. 12v might be too low to pick up. They do a multimeter for less than a tenner which might be what i need.

brian47 · Jun 25, 2017

Bobdog said:
I might have answered my own question... screwfix sell the pens but they test 100-1000v. 12v might be too low to pick up. They do a multimeter for less than a tenner which might be what i need.

A cheap digital multimeter is what you want. It'll measure 12 volts DC, usually up to 10 amps DC and Ohms ranges. For safety sake, unless you really know what you're doing with your multimeter and electricity, stay away from trying to do anything with the AC mains.
Those pen type things generally aren't usually suitable for use on DC circuits, they only work on AC circuits.
You can get some cheap "electricity presence" indicators which comprise of a 12 volt bulb in something which looks like a screwdriver with a wire and croc clip on one end and a spike on the other end; these are usually designed for use with vehicle 12 volt systems, but a multimeter will be of far more use to you in the end.

Regarding looking for 12 volts on those loose wires you have, if the spotlights were installed anything like properly, they would have been at least switched by a relay triggered from the main beam wiring. In other words, to check the wires, turn the high beam headlights on first.

Bobdog · Jun 25, 2017

brian47 said:
A cheap digital multimeter is what you want. It'll measure 12 volts DC, usually up to 10 amps DC and Ohms ranges. For safety sake, unless you really know what you're doing with your multimeter and electricity, stay away from trying to do anything with the AC mains.
Those pen type things generally aren't usually suitable for use on DC circuits, they only work on AC circuits.
You can get some cheap "electricity presence" indicators which comprise of a 12 volt bulb in something which looks like a screwdriver with a wire and croc clip on one end and a spike on the other end; these are usually designed for use with vehicle 12 volt systems, but a multimeter will be of far more use to you in the end.

Regarding looking for 12 volts on those loose wires you have, if the spotlights were installed anything like properly, they would have been at least switched by a relay triggered from the main beam wiring. In other words, to check the wires, turn the high beam headlights on first.

Multimeter it is then. Though if there's no power at the cable ends, i won't have a clue how to fix it unless its something obvious like a broken cable or loose connector.

brian47 · Jun 25, 2017

If there's nothing on those wires, then without assistance, I would be tempted to say tape up the ends and strap them away somewhere safe with a couple of cable ties.
Then you can start again with your own installation of spot lights.
I'm a bit far away to be able to offer anything more than some written advice and moral support, I'm sure that there are members closer to you who might be able and inclined to provide more help.
I believe that @neilly is in you corner of the world, but even he might be a bit far from you.

Bobdog · Jun 25, 2017

brian47 said:
If there's nothing on those wires, then without assistance, I would be tempted to say tape up the ends and strap them away somewhere safe with a couple of cable ties.
Then you can start again with your own installation of spot lights.
I'm a bit far away to be able to offer anything more than some written advice and moral support, I'm sure that there are members closer to you who might be able and inclined to provide more help.
I believe that @neilly is in you corner of the world, but even he might be a bit far from you.

Thanks brian, if i have no joy, i'll have a good read of the link sierraferry posted.

James Rogers · Jun 25, 2017

I'd suggest the light testers. They are simple to use and you can't do any harm with them. Only thing with using the current wiring is if there is no switch is it fused properly and will it overpower the relay if a second relay isn't put in alongside it? I think I'd blank the wires and start again as previously mentioned.

Disco 2 Spotlight wiring

Bobdog

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sierrafery

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Bobdog

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sierrafery

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Bobdog

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brian47

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Bobdog

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brian47

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Bobdog

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James Rogers

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