Driving Lights are Here - LotusTalk

eliseowner2b · 06-22-2005, 04:07 PM

I bought the Lotus driving light kit today from Lotus of Atlanta. ($299) They have several kits in stock. I expected there to be several parts but when I opened the box to find a bunch of plastic bags with different parts everywhere I was a little surprised. The part #'s are actually hand written on each bag as well! Since my car is a low vin # I am going into this with the notion that I may have to wire things myself so Ill post back with directions on what I ended up doing. I had them lami-x'd (www.lamin-x.com) to protect the lenses from cracking and pitting so if anyone needs this they have templates for them now.

Here are the instructions that came with the kit so you can have an idea what you are getting into before spending the $$$.

eliseowner2b · 06-22-2005, 04:12 PM

And a few pics

soulmn · 06-22-2005, 04:14 PM

How much was the lamin-x? Sounds like a good idea.

soulman

MickOpalak · 06-22-2005, 04:24 PM

I wonder if LOA can install mine and rewire them so that I can turn them on at any old time I feel like it.

Actually, my preference would be for them to be switch with the parking lights so that they're on when ever the parking light button is activated.

TimMullen · 06-22-2005, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickOpalak

Actually, my preference would be for them to be switch with the parking lights so that they're on when ever the parking light button is activated.

The lights are not "US style fog lights" (commonly referred to as "driving lights". The Driving Lights are additional high beams - using them with the parking lights would be the same as driving around with your high beams on.

eliseowner2b · 06-22-2005, 05:01 PM

Mick,
Read the bold print on page 1. They might have a problem with this. I'm thinking about wiring the lights to the 3rd switch that comes with the lights and wiring that to the fuse that handles the parking lights. That way I can turn them on with the parking lights when I want to.

arandolph · 06-22-2005, 06:44 PM

I had LOA install mine a couple of weeks ago and they were only able to do it with the driving lights tied to the high beams. I wanted the switch to control them independently but either they wouldn't do it or didn't know how to do it.

Johnny B · 06-22-2005, 07:00 PM

How much of the lens does the Laminx cover? I had a bulk sheet that I used to cut my covers out of and am curious if they're able to get more coverage.

IBCJ · 06-22-2005, 07:01 PM

Does the kit include a harness for the early models - or is that a seperate P/N?

Johnny B · 06-22-2005, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjl

Does the kit include a harness for the early models - or is that a seperate P/N?

Nope. You'll have to wire it yourself.

IBCJ · 06-22-2005, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny B

Nope. You'll have to wire it yourself.

Sweeeet. Has anyone done this? Doesn't matter to me too much - i want to wire them to the parking lights anyway.

What replacement fillaments are you guys running for the low / high beams?

eliseowner2b · 06-23-2005, 05:57 AM

Quote:

How much of the lens does the Laminx cover? I had a bulk sheet that I used to cut my covers out of and am curious if they're able to get more coverage.

Johnny,
Measure the widest point of the lens and cut a square this size. Apply it to the lens and then take an exacto knife and cut along the edge of the lens. You want to protect the front surface and I don't think the Lamin-x will make the very sharp bend to cover the thin side surface anyway.

Does anyone have a pic of their driving lights (on the car) that shows where the mounting bracket actually attaches to the car. I worked on mine for a little while last night and didn't get very far. I took my time removing the turn signal indicators as I didn't want to crack them or the front clam. After figuring out one of them the other one was easy. The insructions aren't very clear as to which bracket you use and there are 3 different options with the kit. I held them up to the car to see which ones would work and it wasn't very clear. I was tired anyway so I didn't want to push it and make a mistake.

TimMullen · 06-23-2005, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjl

i want to wire them to the parking lights anyway.

Why does everyone want to wire the HIGH BEAM DRIVING LIGHTS to work with the parking lights? I'm confused...

I'm also slightly upset. I wanted the driving lights from before my car was delivered. The early brochures even described the dealer installed driving lights, but now my early car is not wired for the lights...

Arno · 06-23-2005, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMullen

Why does everyone want to wire the HIGH BEAM DRIVING LIGHTS to work with the parking lights? I'm confused...

Ah grasshopper.. You do not understand the need to be an obnoxious $%$# on the road who likes to blind other people.

Study well and you may find... Enlightenment!

Bye, Arno.

IBCJ · 06-23-2005, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMullen

Why does everyone want to wire the HIGH BEAM DRIVING LIGHTS to work with the parking lights? I'm confused...

Mainly for flexibility. I want to be able to run them w/o the highbeams - not saying that I will, but I'd like the ability to. I know, it's silly. Perhaps once I align my existing beams I'll get soft on this opinion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMullen

I'm also slightly upset. I wanted the driving lights from before my car was delivered. The early brochures even described the dealer installed driving lights, but now my early car is not wired for the lights...

Very lame. Kim should send us gift baskets or something.

eliseowner2b · 06-23-2005, 11:30 AM

I am wiring mine to the parking lights only for a power source. I plan on switching them from inside the car so I can control them from there. Does this make sense or does anyone see a smarter choice?

IBCJ · 06-23-2005, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eliseowner2b

I am wiring mine to the parking lights only for a power source. I plan on switching them from inside the car so I can control them from there. Does this make sense or does anyone see a smarter choice?

Does anyone know what the draw looks like compared to the fuse rating? I'm sure it's fine - but someone like Stan or Dan has got to know for sure.

ChrisStarrUSA · 06-23-2005, 11:47 AM

I requested, and my dealer complied, with setting up the driving lights on a separate switch. I now have three switches on the left: top=parking, middle=low beam, bottom=driving lights, and of course the high beams are on the stalks. I like the flexibility of putting on what I want when I want.

APOGEE · 06-23-2005, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMullen

Why does everyone want to wire the HIGH BEAM DRIVING LIGHTS to work with the parking lights? I'm confused...

I'm also slightly upset. I wanted the driving lights from before my car was delivered. The early brochures even described the dealer installed driving lights, but now my early car is not wired for the lights...

Hi Tim, if you do a search you can find my post about early cars, your car
has a factory set of plugs taped under the noise badge. Take out the turn-signal lamps and shine a bright torch in there.Mount the driving light brackets
and plug them in. The driving lights will come on with your high beams.
All the best, Don.
P.S. Eric @ Newport European Motorcar L.T.D. has them in stock. 949-270-1000

eliseowner2b · 06-24-2005, 04:53 AM

Quote:

How much was the lamin-x? Sounds like a good idea.

Chris @ Lamin-x (www.lamin-x.com) is charging $17.95 for the precut product. I used blue but he has clear, yellow, and smoked.

APOGEE,
In the instructions it says for VIN#'s 399 and higher. My dealer told me if someone installs these on a vin# lower than 399 the lights will stay on all the time. He seemed to know what he was talking about. Do you know otherwise?

06-22-2005, 04:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
eliseowner2b Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgia Mtns Posts: 2,300	Driving Lights are Here I bought the Lotus driving light kit today from Lotus of Atlanta. ($299) They have several kits in stock. I expected there to be several parts but when I opened the box to find a bunch of plastic bags with different parts everywhere I was a little surprised. The part #'s are actually hand written on each bag as well! Since my car is a low vin # I am going into this with the notion that I may have to wire things myself so Ill post back with directions on what I ended up doing. I had them lami-x'd (www.lamin-x.com) to protect the lenses from cracking and pitting so if anyone needs this they have templates for them now. Here are the instructions that came with the kit so you can have an idea what you are getting into before spending the $$$. Attached Images __________________ Dan Parker 92 BMW 325 - JP Race Car 09 Jetta Tdi 06 Z4 M Coupe 09 Child on the way (anyone need a car?)

06-22-2005, 04:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
eliseowner2b Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgia Mtns Posts: 2,300	And a few pics Attached Images __________________ Dan Parker 92 BMW 325 - JP Race Car 09 Jetta Tdi 06 Z4 M Coupe 09 Child on the way (anyone need a car?)

06-22-2005, 04:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
MickOpalak Prez: The K.G.B. Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 5,333	I wonder if LOA can install mine and rewire them so that I can turn them on at any old time I feel like it. Actually, my preference would be for them to be switch with the parking lights so that they're on when ever the parking light button is activated. __________________ 2007 Exige S265 - Krypton Green - Gotham 265 ECU - Volk TE37s - Toyo R888s - B&M Shifter - QuickSilver exhaust - stripes - harnesses - Pagid pads - Green air filter 2002 Jaguar XKR convertible 2000 BMW 528i President - Lotus Limited Southeast http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/LLSE/

06-22-2005, 05:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
eliseowner2b Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgia Mtns Posts: 2,300	Mick, Read the bold print on page 1. They might have a problem with this. I'm thinking about wiring the lights to the 3rd switch that comes with the lights and wiring that to the fuse that handles the parking lights. That way I can turn them on with the parking lights when I want to. __________________ Dan Parker 92 BMW 325 - JP Race Car 09 Jetta Tdi 06 Z4 M Coupe 09 Child on the way (anyone need a car?)

06-22-2005, 07:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
Johnny B No, it's not a Ford Lotus Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,621	How much of the lens does the Laminx cover? I had a bulk sheet that I used to cut my covers out of and am curious if they're able to get more coverage. __________________

06-22-2005, 04:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
soulmn Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 435	How much was the lamin-x? Sounds like a good idea. soulman

06-22-2005, 06:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
arandolph Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Salisbury, NC Posts: 231	I had LOA install mine a couple of weeks ago and they were only able to do it with the driving lights tied to the high beams. I wanted the switch to control them independently but either they wouldn't do it or didn't know how to do it.

06-22-2005, 07:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
IBCJ my name is not cliff !! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: santa monica, ca Posts: 983	Does the kit include a harness for the early models - or is that a seperate P/N? __________________ cjlittle[dºt]com 05 Elise #113 w/ Touring, Black LSS wheels, Alpine CDA-9857, Polks all around, integrated V1, one-of-a-kind two-tone Saffron Yellow paint

06-23-2005, 11:30 AM	#16 (permalink)
eliseowner2b Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgia Mtns Posts: 2,300	I am wiring mine to the parking lights only for a power source. I plan on switching them from inside the car so I can control them from there. Does this make sense or does anyone see a smarter choice? __________________ Dan Parker 92 BMW 325 - JP Race Car 09 Jetta Tdi 06 Z4 M Coupe 09 Child on the way (anyone need a car?)

06-23-2005, 11:47 AM	#18 (permalink)
ChrisStarrUSA Second cam junkie! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,122	I requested, and my dealer complied, with setting up the driving lights on a separate switch. I now have three switches on the left: top=parking, middle=low beam, bottom=driving lights, and of course the high beams are on the stalks. I like the flexibility of putting on what I want when I want.

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