12V only when car off or in park? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Schuby · 08-23-2010, 09:41 PM

Hey guys!

I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction here.

I recently installed the Knightlight kit on my Camaro. Included was a connection to activate the lights when a 12v source was applied.

I'm hoping that I can find a source of power that is only activated in park or when the car is off so the lights don't show while driving.

Thanks!

Americonium · 08-24-2010, 10:31 AM

I'm not sure where or how you will accompish this, but when you pull on the emergency brake, it sends a signal to turn on a lamp in the dash. Is it a ground? Is it 12VDC? Is it a data stream?

If it's ground, use a relay with the coil tied to the 12vdc, and your e-brake circuit. That will only allow the lights to show when the e-brake is on. If it's 12 VDC, tie one end of the relay coil to it, and the other to ground. If it's a data stream, well, find something else.

Schuby · 08-24-2010, 04:00 PM

As far as I know any 12v source that goes through this wire activates the lights and keeps them on if the source is constant. I'll look into your suggestions, thanks!

Schuby · 08-24-2010, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schuby

As far as I know any 12v source that goes through this wire activates the lights and keeps them on if the source is constant. I'll look into your suggestions, thanks!

Here's a document explaining the wire.

http://knightlight.co.uk/images/full...1_0-sc-pg4.jpg

DS1937 · 08-24-2010, 04:34 PM

Why don't you just tap 12 volts off the starter or battery or any other source and install a switch under the dash?

Schuby · 08-24-2010, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DS1937

Why don't you just tap 12 volts off the starter or battery or any other source and install a switch under the dash?

That could work as well but I was looking at the automated aspect of it.

Eric Baker · 08-24-2010, 08:23 PM

You could do this easily with a relay that cuts power when the key is turned on. Get a standard automotive SPDT relay and harness from an auto parts store. It will have 5 wires, going to pins on the relay numbered 85, 86, 87, 87a, and 30.

You would want to run your lights to ground and constant power. Cut the constant power wire where you want to wire in the relay.

Remove the wire from the 87 position of the relay as you won't need it. Then wire up 30 and 87a to the two ends of the power wire you cut. Ground the wire going to pin 85 of the relay, and run the wire from pin 86 to a switched power source.

After doing this, the relay will cut the power wire in half when the key is turned on, shutting the lights off. Only problem will be draining your battery after long periods of down time. You could wire a switch to manually turn the main power off when you will be going away or leaving your car for extended periods of time.

08-23-2010, 09:41 PM	#1
Schuby Vroooom! Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Castaic, CA Posts: 41	12V only when car off or in park? Hey guys! I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction here. I recently installed the Knightlight kit on my Camaro. Included was a connection to activate the lights when a 12v source was applied. I'm hoping that I can find a source of power that is only activated in park or when the car is off so the lights don't show while driving. Thanks!

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08-24-2010, 10:31 AM	#2
Americonium Drives: 2010 RS LT2 Olympic White Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 11762 Posts: 58	I'm not sure where or how you will accompish this, but when you pull on the emergency brake, it sends a signal to turn on a lamp in the dash. Is it a ground? Is it 12VDC? Is it a data stream? If it's ground, use a relay with the coil tied to the 12vdc, and your e-brake circuit. That will only allow the lights to show when the e-brake is on. If it's 12 VDC, tie one end of the relay coil to it, and the other to ground. If it's a data stream, well, find something else.

08-24-2010, 04:00 PM	#3
Schuby Vroooom! Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Castaic, CA Posts: 41	As far as I know any 12v source that goes through this wire activates the lights and keeps them on if the source is constant. I'll look into your suggestions, thanks!

08-24-2010, 04:34 PM	#5
DS1937 DS1937 Drives: 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 286	Why don't you just tap 12 volts off the starter or battery or any other source and install a switch under the dash?

08-24-2010, 08:23 PM	#7
Eric Baker Drives: Black/Black 2SS/RS 6M Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Boston MA Posts: 987 View My Garage	You could do this easily with a relay that cuts power when the key is turned on. Get a standard automotive SPDT relay and harness from an auto parts store. It will have 5 wires, going to pins on the relay numbered 85, 86, 87, 87a, and 30. You would want to run your lights to ground and constant power. Cut the constant power wire where you want to wire in the relay. Remove the wire from the 87 position of the relay as you won't need it. Then wire up 30 and 87a to the two ends of the power wire you cut. Ground the wire going to pin 85 of the relay, and run the wire from pin 86 to a switched power source. After doing this, the relay will cut the power wire in half when the key is turned on, shutting the lights off. Only problem will be draining your battery after long periods of down time. You could wire a switch to manually turn the main power off when you will be going away or leaving your car for extended periods of time.