Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Wiring driving lights

Hi all,

Looking to add a pair of driving lights to my 1965 Plus 4...

I'm going to run an inline fuse, but I'm wondering where to draw 12V power from? I can run a wire directly from the battery - but that seems inelegant.

If anyone has any tips or a diagram, I'd appreciate it.

Glad to be back at TM...just bought this Plus 4...had a M3W (first gen new) a few years ago...

Good to see you back, this should help a wee bit.

Driving lights should be wired up so as to extinguish when dip beam is selected.

I always wire them up through a switch and a relay.

Feed (to relay) is taken from the live side of the starter solenoid via a large ring termin

Arwyn

If you are intending daytime running lights (DRL) for extra visibility then you could wire them direct from a fused ignition switched feed to save cluttering up the dash with another switch. I would then add a relay in that feed triggered by headlamp feed (blue wire before dipswitch) such that headlamp selection killed them. The DRL's would then illuminate automatically when car running until headlamps selected.

The ignition switched feed with a fuse added could be taken from ignition switch's white/light green wire or at the other end of same by fuse box before fuse.

Another option is to use switchback LED's in the front indicator positions. These allow through clear lens, white lights permanently on with ignition reverting automatically to flashing amber on indicator or hazard light selection before return. The bulb holders do have to be changed to the twin filament stop/tail type though. Thread here.

Thank you gents, especially for the wiring diagram. I will be installing a small toggle switch under the dash, not visible, to turn on the fog/driving lights on and off.

Two more questions:

1) What is the best place to draw the hot power from? Starter solenoid?
2) what type of relay should be used?

Again many thanks

Standard 5 pin cube shaped 12 volt 30 amp relay will be fine. They usually come with a clip on mounting bracket.

You could take main power from A1 on dynamo regulator or main B+ output on alternator if retro-fitted. In either case you would need to add a a suitable rating inline fuse as close as possible to feed point.

Apologies RichardV6…electronics are not my forte…what are A1 or B2+ on a dynamo or alternator? I assume the hot, non ground, terminal? Are they labeled? Many thanks

Your 1965 car was built with a dynamo for charging the battery. This requires an external regulator with multiple connections. Most of the electrical loads are placed on its A1 terminal hence advice. The equivalent for a newer alternator which may have been retro fitted is the main output terminal usually labelled B+ which connects directly to your battery but provides easier access.

You are lucky that for the most part there are no electronics on your car as it left the factory just basic electrical stuff. If you are still a little hazy about connecting lights an auto electrics engineer should be able to sort it for you in short order.

Another option is to upgrade your battery cable connector to have integrated connector points for voltage and ground.

Liking the quick release mechanism.