Ditch Lights... To Link or Not To Link

For those of you running ditch lights:

Picked up some S1’s. Going to try them out as ditch lights. Bought the wide cornering pattern. What are your thoughts on running them on separate switches?

It’s pre wired to run both lights to one switch. But, could see the possibility of running just the passenger side on it's own switch as you went down the road to light up the ditch (for deer) while not having your driver side on and bothering oncoming traffic. Thoughts? Does anyone run them separate, or just linked?

 

Interesting, you certainly could set them up independent, I would think 90% of the time they would both be on.. and fumbling for a switch for the left with oncoming traffic would be annoying.

You could use the highbeam circuit for the left and direct for the right - when you dipped highbeams the left would go out. You could use one switch but would need two relays.

 

Thanks for the reply. I have auto highbeams, and never thought about tapping into that. Hmmm..... Could actually run both of them and they would turn off automatically as oncoming traffic approached. Would like the option to run them without the highbeams though when offroad. Something I'll have to look into. Also as a heads up, I'm not very savvy when it comes to electrical. I bought an SPOD and run everything to it.

 

Honestly, I would just run them both to the SPOD and be done. It's illegal in most places to run additional lights anyway, and just adds more fuss to driving. You could def get crafty with splices, etc, but at what amount of hassle esp if you aren't super great on electrical?

 

I hear ya. Over complicating something that doesn't need it. I installed some BD squadrons in the fog light location and tapped into my factory fog light wires to use the factory switch. I felt pretty accomplished after I turned them on and they worked. Well...... after I had to redo them since I reversed the positive and negative and blew a fuse. Green is hot on a Tacoma!?!? Found out the hard way.

 

Another option is what I've done with my ditch lights, I've got Squadron Pros with Spot lenses pointed straight ahead - and Squadron Sports combos in the fog pockets. Both sets are wired with the highbeams, but in addition I've added a foot switch for the Pros; when I see a car way ahead I can step/switch off the Pros and run just the Sport/highbeam until the car gets closer. This avoids driving with low beams for a long time while you wait for cars to get closer and pass..

You could add a foot switch for just the left lamp.

 

Never even considered this, but you are right. I could see this happening easily. (bold, underline above)

Going to go KISS on this and just wire them together to a single port on the SPOD and call it a day. Makes my life easier and after talking it out, makes sense. Thanks fellas.

 

Sorry I assumed some electrical knowledge, of course I'm suggesting using the High beam power as a trigger for the switched relay of a driving light circuit.

We'll have to agree to disagree.. aux lighting is awesome on long drives with no traffic. Every vehicle I've had for the last 20 years has had added lights. Primarily mine get used all winter during evening drives to the ski hill, in a 40 minute drive I'll meet maybe two vehicles.. the other 38 minutes are gloriously lit. Hood glare is real, amber lights and spot lenses make it a lot nicer.

I'd rather have lights than hit a moose.

 

Wow, to each their own I guess. I navigate a lot of back roads and live on a dirt "back road" myself. Would like the ditch lights for those applications. 2 lane highways at night, possibly as well, depending on traffic. I don't want to be constantly switching them on and off.

 

My kids cheer from the back seat when the 'big lights' go on..

 

Lol, I could see that. I'm currently running squadron driving combos in my fog light position and a 20" S8 spot in the bumper. The ditch lights (S1 wide cornering) would be a new addition. I'm trying to avoid a 40" roof rack light, as I don't run out in the open that much. We'll see where I'm lacking light as I get these all dialed in.