Off Road Lights as high beams?

I ordered a set of 6.5" off road lights and I would like to wire them with a dash switch but I would also like them to come on automatically with the high beams. I drew up this quick diagram, could someone please check my work to see if this is possible. Are the diodes necessary and if so what size would you recommend?

I also plan to use fuses on all + connections I just didn't add them to the image.

 

Evening bump. Someone's got to know something about this.

 

I'd be interested in a solution here too!

 

Instead of using Diodes, I would only use both Relays and one fuse...

how?
87A from the first relay feeds 30 of the second... The fuse goes between battery and 30 of the first relay...

 

The diodes are so one relay won't back feed into the other. What I would do, is use a single relay and a single pole double throw switch.

Pardon my crude paint skills

This way, when the switch is in the up position, they'll come on with the high beams, but if the switch is in the down position, they come on manually. I have a similar setup with some LEDs on my rear bumper. They auto come on with reverse lights, or I flip the switch and they manually come on.

 

Genius!!!
I'm not gonna lie, I had to think about that for a while but it makes total sense now.
Thanks a bunch.

 

So in this scenario I would use a SPDT switch to toggle between each mode (high beam/dash switch) and then an actual dash switch + high beam feed in addition?

 

The switch takes either source and activates the relay. A simple SPDT switch will have three terminals on it, the middle terminal would go to the relay, the top one would go to the high beam signal, the bottom one would be any +12v source for manual activation. (You can use an add-a-fuse to get power from an existing circuit. I used a switched +, so when you turn the truck off, it will not be powered. If you use a constant+, you'll be able to manually activate them with the truck off too.)

If you get a lighted switch, it'll have more terminals for powering the led backlight of the switch.

 

THIS!

 

Sorry guys, I'm really slow tonight. I understand now that I won't need an additional switch if I run a constant 12v to the bottom of the spdt. So when the switch is up it will be ready for a high beam feed and when it's down the lights will come right on, no diodes or additional relays necessary.

Thanks a lot, end thread.

 

Exactly, just make sure you fuse also the constant 12v...

 

Of course you could simplify the whole thing even further if you simply use one relay to trigger your aux lights off of your high beams. Yes, this will mean that your aux lights will only come on with your high beams and / or every time you trigger your high beams you will get your aux lights. I wired my 30" LED bar (hidden in the lower grill) to come on this way, but have also used it on past trucks to trigger a set of 100 watt Hella 550 driving lights. Simple, yet effective.

 

Yup, I have mine that way, but noticed that it would be useful as well to have them as OP says...

Why? Because my 72w (in total) leds throw more light than my ~200w high beams... when the truck is off, and you need light, led is the way to go (without stock lights)

 

What is the need for being able to turn on the Aux lights without the High beams? I feel you are making this far more complicated than you need to. When I wired up my Aux lights, I realized anytime I wanted them on, I would also be running my high beams.

I bought a wiring kit on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B0OAFE0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have the trigger wire for the relay hooked up to my high beam fuse in the engine bay with a add-a-fuse. Ran wires into the cab for a override switch for inspections. Install took less than a hour and works super easy. Just turn on my highs and blind the world.

 

Not sure about the Op, but for me, I can use my rear floods, or front led pods with the engine off, as work lights. Mine are wired off of a aux fuse panel from a second battery, so even if I leave them on for days, I can still start my truck.

 

I totally understand having separate "work" lights off a separate battery. But are those work lights hooked up to be triggered by your high beams as well driving down the rd?

 

They're 4 D2 driving lights and a 20" Led bar as my forward facing "work" lights. Some are connected to high beams, some to foglight with foglight anytime mod. Ive used them on public road maybe once or twice in the middle of nowhere, but its mostly off-road usage. My rear lights are bumper mounted floods that come on when Im in reverse or when activated by pressing the button.

 

This is how I'm wiring my aux reverse lights (of course I'm using a reverse 12v lead vs headlight source) and it works great.

 

Yeah, thats how I did my rear aux lights.

 

Key power-SPST dash switch-diode->terminal 85

High beam wire-diode->terminal 85

This way, you're using a simple switch, it always works, and the relay coil power is the only thing going through the diodes.