Headlight commander installation

[SweetWagon]

Just wondering if anybody has installed one of these before? Im planning on installing it into my Vn, no more leaving lights on! and automatic headlights

It basically works like later models with a light sensor on the dash. Before I install it where would be the best place for the sensor?
I think i have the wiring sorted, the green wire is able to be switched between a +ve feed OR -ve pending what the extra green wire is attached to (see wiring diagram). The headlight switch in the vn simply earths the headlight relay so ill just set the green wire to -ve

Also the blue wire states to connect directly to the parklight wire, im aware the parklights in the VN run straight through the switch (no relay) but unsure if i should install a relay or run it straight off the blue wire...

Im also going to install a fuse and switch to the +12v ignition incase i need to override it

I hope to install this next week so hopefully it will work out, but any advice before i install would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

[danja]

I'd suggest the middle of the dash, near the front. I don't know the VN interior that well, but you could probably drill a hole and mount the sensor fairly flush.

Obviously you just need it somewhere that it will pick up ambient light, but not light from other cars headlights etc.

[SweetWagon]

Thanks Danja, had a look there's a spot that looks perfect for it in the center under the windscreen, but it means ill have to loose my dash mat.

Any ideas about wiring into the parking lights? Just unsure if this module will be able to power the parking lights or should i install a relay?

Cheers.

[jet-6]

Cut cut a small hole in your dash mat

And the wiring diagram you have showns shows option for parker circuit

[SweetWagon]

Cut cut a small hole in your dash mat

And the wiring diagram you have showns shows option for parker circuit

I'm aware of this. What i'm asking is, since the module would be powering the entire parking light circuit, I think it would be best to install a relay, As i don't think this module was designed to run ~10amps.

Looks like its going to be a mission running the wires from the sensor down behind the dash..
Hopefully should be a pretty unique mod if all works well. Might do a how-to if anybody interested and i don't see why it couldn't be adapted to any model. only $26 bux from supercheap

[DANNY8]

Maybe it has an internal relay for the parkers? When u connect the power up, listen for a click when it sends power out through the wire (determine this by using a test light).

[hakhawk]

I'm aware of this. What i'm asking is, since the module would be powering the entire parking light circuit, I think it would be best to install a relay, As i don't think this module was designed to run ~10amps.

Looks like its going to be a mission running the wires from the sensor down behind the dash..
Hopefully should be a pretty unique mod if all works well. Might do a how-to if anybody interested and i don't see why it couldn't be adapted to any model. only $26 bux from supercheap

parkers should draw no more than around 2amps altogether. each parker globe is only 5w.

edit: cant remember if illumination runs off parker circuit, but even still as DANNY8 said, theres probably a relay inside it that will handle it fine anyway.

[SweetWagon]

Maybe it has an internal relay for the parkers? When u connect the power up, listen for a click when it sends power out through the wire (determine this by using a test light).

parkers should draw no more than around 2amps altogether. each parker globe is only 5w.

edit: cant remember if illumination runs off parker circuit, but even still as DANNY8 said, theres probably a relay inside it that will handle it fine anyway.

Thanks for the advice, would make wiring it alot easier without the extra relay.

I opened up the box. it appears to be 2 black boxes that look like relays, anybody confirm?

And yes Hakhawk instrument illumination runs of the same parker circuit through the switch.

[hakhawk]

yep, definately look like relays. you should be fine.

[SweetWagon]

Awesome just what i wanted to hear! looks like this will be easier than i thought I think the hardest part will be running the wire for the sensor. What do you think will be the easiest route? also to remove the trim that runs along the base of the windscreen, is removal of the speaker covers/end vents needed first?

Cheers

[hakhawk]

yep, need to remove speaker grill form memory. which needs the side vents taken off first. once thats off, just run the wire from the center along the channel and down past the speaker down under the dash. should be a walk in the park.

[SweetWagon]

Yea should be fairly easy task. Hopefully i can get away with only removing drivers side speaker cover and side vent.. now just gotta find some spare time to install it

Cheers

[SweetWagon]

Finished installing this today works well, very happy with it

Turned out pretty to be pretty easy. Hardest part would have been installing the sensor on the dash. But as for the wiring, pretty simple:

Red: Fused +12v Ignition
Black: Earth
Blue: Park lights + (Brown - Headlight Switch)
Green: Headlight Relay (White/Black - Headlight Switch)
Extra Green: Black

Ill do a write up if anyone's interested. Costed my $26 at Supercheap.

Cheers

[TAILS83]

yeah, do a write up. this is pretty cool mod.

[stockies]

Sorry to dig up this thread, But I just had a go at installing one of these. Followed your wiring directions, and whenever the module is plugged in, it turns the headlights on. Then they stay on. Red LED lights up and turns the lights on even when the sensor is not plugged in.

Only difference to your wiring is that I added an extra blue wire to go to my foglamps (when installed) it's currently not connected to anything.

Any ideas on what might fix it?

[SweetWagon]

Sorry to dig up this thread, But I just had a go at installing one of these. Followed your wiring directions, and whenever the module is plugged in, it turns the headlights on. Then they stay on. Red LED lights up and turns the lights on even when the sensor is not plugged in.

Only difference to your wiring is that I added an extra blue wire to go to my foglamps (when installed) it's currently not connected to anything.

Any ideas on what might fix it?

Have you tried it with the sensor plugged in? When I tested mine the headlights would remain on without the sensor connected.

Only problems i'v had with mine is the sensitivity is a tad indecisive in dawn/dusk conditions, yet to install a switch to it and adjust sensitivity.
Also I had problems with a backfeed into the ignition when the parking lights switched on manually, the car would continue to run when the ignition was switched off, I put this down to a design fault in the circuit but I corrected it using a 6amp diode from Jaycar, Part number : P600M

You have to solder it inline on the blue wire, and it will fix the issue by only allowing the current to flow one way (not back into the ignition). Just make sure you solder the diode in the correct direction.

[Grogey]

Finished installing this today works well, very happy with it

Turned out pretty to be pretty easy. Hardest part would have been installing the sensor on the dash. But as for the wiring, pretty simple:

Red: Fused +12v Ignition
Black: Earth
Blue: Park lights + (Brown - Headlight Switch)
Green: Headlight Relay (White/Black - Headlight Switch)
Extra Green: Black

Ill do a write up if anyone's interested. Costed my $26 at Supercheap.

Cheers

Hi vn6pwr,

I am resurrecting this thread, but i have a few questions regarding:

Blue: Park lights + (Brown - Headlight Switch)
Green: Headlight Relay (White/Black - Headlight Switch)

How did you make these connections? Did you just tap them on? Or did they require cutting and splicing in?

Also if you leave the vehicle with the lights turned on at the normal control stalk can this unit switch them off? I can't see how it does so according to the wiring diagram.

Thanks,

Grogey

[SweetWagon]

Hi vn6pwr,

I am resurrecting this thread, but i have a few questions regarding:

Blue: Park lights + (Brown - Headlight Switch)
Green: Headlight Relay (White/Black - Headlight Switch)

How did you make these connections? Did you just tap them on? Or did they require cutting and splicing in?

Also if you leave the vehicle with the lights turned on at the normal control stalk can this unit switch them off? I can't see how it does so according to the wiring diagram.

Thanks,

Grogey

Hi Grogey,

I made those two connections by splicing and soldering them to the wires behind the headlight switch.
Once the lights are turned on manually the module has no control over the lights, so it still remains possible to leave your lights on if your have turned them on manually.
You can however rewire the headlight relay and parking lights to only have power on accessories which would solve this problem, but i found it not needed now as I never turn the lights on using the switch anymore.

Cheers.

[Grogey]

Hi Grogey,

I made those two connections by splicing and soldering them to the wires behind the headlight switch.
Once the lights are turned on manually the module has no control over the lights, so it still remains possible to leave your lights on if your have turned them on manually.
You can however rewire the headlight relay and parking lights to only have power on accessories which would solve this problem, but i found it not needed now as I never turn the lights on using the switch anymore.

Cheers.

Thanks vn6pwr,