Topic: Installing Hella 500's

[01amberfirewv]

I am having some trouble hooking these up. Do I have to tap into my highbeams? I have no idea which wire is which and would rather be able to use them with the high beams on. I never use the highs in town anyway. Also there are 3 prongs on the back to the swith and the directions show the light wire and the high beam wire going in. What is the other prong for?

[Jeffy]

I am having some trouble hooking these up. Do I have to tap into my highbeams? I have no idea which wire is which and would rather be able to use them with the high beams on. I never use the highs in town anyway. Also there are 3 prongs on the back to the swith and the directions show the light wire and the high beam wire going in. What is the other prong for?

Forget the whole high-beam tapping section.  Just wire the lights as you normally would.  Instead of tapping into the high beams you will run that wire to a +12v.  All the wire is looking for is 12v's.  If it's on but you DO NOT have your high-beams ON (is you wire them up that way) the lights will not turn on.  I like to be able to run my lights independently from any of the stock lights.  You can check out the 'Installing Lights' in the FAQ if you really want to see how they are supposed to be hooked up. (ie, with high-beams)  There is a schematic I made there.

[01amberfirewv]

thanks will do

[Jesse-James]

Here's a diagram, not the most technical, but it works. LED is optional.

[01amberfirewv]

Looks like I have everything hooked up right but still no worky :evil:   I have the highbeam wire hooked to the switched wire behind the glove box but other than that everything is according to Hella's directions

[Jeffy]

If you hooking it to to the highbeams it will not turn on unless the highbeams are on.  I would see if you can get them to work by connecting it to a +12v source.

[JeeperTJ]

I have a pair of hella 500's bolted to the front bumper of my Jeep.  They look really nice, but I have found they are way too bright to run on the street!  Also have a pair of western 55W 4" lights wired to a switch on my dash via an 'always on' relay. Based on the number of times I get beamed by other drivers, these lights are too bright as well and I should tie them into my high beam circuit to enable the on switch for the relay.  I had a pair of KC high lights hooked up this way on my Nissan 4WD pickup and it works out well.  Also the little western lights really full in better than even the high beams, I just wish other drivers could tolerate them more... I have heard the same is true with the Jeep factory fogs, other drivers in oncoming cars think you have your quad gunrams on!

Ciao!

Ted

[01amberfirewv]

If you hooking it to to the highbeams it will not turn on unless the highbeams are on.  I would see if you can get them to work by connecting it to a +12v source.

I have them hooked into the switched wire behind the glove box.  I think they should work as long as the key is in the on position.  I tried with the Jeep on they still did not work.

[Tall Boy]

check it blee, (whatever that means)
   I got the factory manwell on my 2001 Tj. if you want to know which wire goes to your high beams let me know and I'll look up the wiring diagram for ye.

[01amberfirewv]

I am hoping to get them hooked up so I can use them anytime.  If I find that I have to use the highbeam I'll let you know though, thanks

[Tall Boy]

Watch that wiring though. I did mine all screwy and it ended up frying the wire. I did the 2 wires from the battrey deal with an inline fuse. Took the fuse out,it gained battery acid and fused itself connected. Almost had a fire there but I was walking by at the right time when I heard the "fizz".

[JeeperTJ]

Believe it or not people don't like those little 4" Western lights when I drive by them at night...

[Tall Boy]

I've never really been one to show off, but here in mexifornia we cannot drive around without covers on our off road lights . The policia get money if we do, then they do a thorough search of the vehiculodoro.

[chardrc]

I've never really been one to show off, but here in mexifornia we cannot drive around without covers on our off road lights . The policia get money if we do, then they do a thorough search of the vehiculodoro.

that sounds like one bo-yah! up liberal ass law.. its laws like that that piss me off and make me want to bust someones skull :twisted: ....  

then again the light covers could save your lites from loose rocks on the road.

[Jeffy]

I've never really been one to show off, but here in mexifornia we cannot drive around without covers on our off road lights . The policia get money if we do, then they do a thorough search of the vehiculodoro.

There are conflicting laws but overall if they aren't noticeable brighter then 55w/65w they won't bother.  You can run roof lites but they can not be used on road since they are too high.  Bumper mounted lights are usually ok though.  BUT you can only run 4 lights at a time.  That means two headlights and two aux.  If you run more, you will get pulled over and they will then measure the light height.

Another thing, you will need to align your aux lights.  If they are aimed too high or even horizontal and you get a lot of people flashing then you should try to lower them.  It will give you more ground coverage which helps a lot when you drive a lifted Jeep.  Stock headlights really stink when it's lifted.  I run my yellow fogs at night all the time.   Sometimes run the projections when it's an open road.