2 Electrical questions????

...Just wondering...I've got a 67 bug(it was european..and coverted from 6V to 12V a long time back)...2 Questions:

2) Any simple way to adapt the headlight switch for daylight running..without having to leave the switch in the on position?

Thanks..Pat

You may be able to find a supplier who carries the solid state version of the voltage regulator.

What is "daylight running"??

Just dipped beam on and no tail lights/no side/park lights?

Speedy Jim

In Europe (at least here in Finland) it is compulsory to have the dipped beam lights always on when driving (also tail and park lights). The cars here usually automatically put on the lights when the car is started even if the light switch is in off-position. Some older cars did it when the oil pressure went up so the lights are not on when the starter is running but light when the motor is running. Nowadays i guess the car computer does all this.

I think Pat means this functionality with "daylight running".

Ah. Then I think I would use a relay driven from the Gen Voltage Regulator term #61. This is the Blu wire and is accessible at the dash.

The relay connects battery + to both Headlights (Low) and to Park/Tail lights. Use a 2-pole relay rated maybe 15 Amp.

Speedy Jim

That would mean post 58b (yellow wire) in high/low beam relay and post 58 in light switch (grey wire), right? The connection should not pass by the fuses in my opinion. This way the meaning of the light switch would change because you would not be able to have just the parking lights on when the engine is running even if the switch would be in parking lights position.

Maybe a small extra switch under the dashboard that you can use to disconnect the input line (that blue #61) from the relay to disable the feature?

Olli Lammi wrote: >

Intended to say "post 56b (yellow wire)" there. Sorry.

Thanks for the replies..I'll work on the daytime running thing...here in Canada newer cars have to have some sort of headlights all the time(although Dodge seems just to be running park lights)...no need for tail lights and stuff during the bright hours. Jim..err..dumb question..but I guess there are different voltage regulators available??...I still have 4 or 5 saved up over the last 17yrs of my bug's life with me...they all look alike to me...perhaps I should look in the box for the oldest one??..I don't recall the clicking noise the first few years...But..solid state???..Still Bosch?? Thanks in advance!! Pat

John Can get them:

I was thinking of one of these to program a PIC:

Starts to be a bit off topic, but just for curiosity. For the inputs that would need optocouplers, I guess. And for the power supply some kind of automotive grade VREG. How about driving the power relay with a PIC? How would that be done?

Might use a transistor like this to drive the relay :

LM705 for VReg ?

PIC could even detect phases of the moon or driver's mood and act accordingly.

Jim

My notes from few years behind say LM2931. I was planning an engine analyzer with a PIC and LCD display with my Palm on Beetle dash. This was unfortunately left on the planning table due to lack of funds and proper place to tinker with all the PCB liquids, drilling, etc. Maybe some day.