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Choosing and Fitting Hazard Warning Switch

PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 8:23 am
by William2
Has anyone modified their car to fit hazard warning lights? Is there a particular switch and flasher unit that are suitable? I assume I can copy the wiring from the Lotus manual.

Re: Choosing and Fitting Hazard Warning Switch

PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 3:45 pm
by TBG
This the one I have but a much older version. Works well. I have a small extras panel above my knees and It is popped into this along with fan over ride, strobe lights, running lights and single sweep wipers!!

https://www.ahspares.co.uk/austin-heale ... amqavd_bwe

Re: Choosing and Fitting Hazard Warning Switch

PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 6:16 pm
by nmauduit
William2 wrote:Has anyone modified their car to fit hazard warning lights? Is there a particular switch and flasher unit that are suitable? I assume I can copy the wiring from the Lotus manual.


yes, I've used the Federal version which takes a similar third squarish dual switch in the middle of the bottom row of my '68 S4se, which may also be sourced from Europa iirc. There are better ways to wire it than what I did (I need to have the indicator on to get the hazard to flash, either side is ok), by using more flasher units.

Re: Choosing and Fitting Hazard Warning Switch

PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2020 3:37 pm
by Matt Elan
I used this kit:
https://www.bettercarlighting.co.uk/ind ... ductId=753

I fitted the push switch into the hole in the trim piece below the steering column where the ignition switch should be - (mines a Plus 2 with a Plus 2S 130 interior so the hole was going spare, and I used a pair of alloy plates to sandwich the switch in place). The switch is a neat flush fit and it is illuminated when the ignition is on so you can find it, and it flashes brightly when the flashers are hazarding!
Very easy to wire in, with good clear instructions. I connected it into the loom where the indicator lights split from the column switch to go fore and aft - I crimped bullet connectors onto the two feed lines and used four way connector blocks to add the extra wire on each circuit, and mounted the flasher unit behind the dash on a sticky pad. A bit fiddly and beware the paper tags on the wires which tell you where to connect them - mine fell off..... but it was easy to work out which was which by studying the supplied wiring diagram.

Re: Choosing and Fitting Hazard Warning Switch

PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2020 5:05 pm
by wotsisname
if you are also thinking about converting to LEDs at any point then you might consider flasher relays that can cope with this. I have swapped the standard relay to a modern type and added a second identical one for the hazard circuit. both also tick when in use. I have a a simple toggle switch with built in LED to switch it on. currently it is ignition live, but I plan to change that to a permanent live over the winter. With LEDs swapped in for all bulbs, I also needed a diode between the two relays (this has to be +ve earth on my -ve earth car). It gives an erratic flash if both indicator and hazard are running together, but thats not really an issue.
HTH

Re: Choosing and Fitting Hazard Warning Switch

PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2020 6:51 pm
by TBG
If it helps I have changed all my bulbs to LED. The sidelights, brake lights and all are so much brighter and I also have running lights behind the grill out of sight. You do need a special flasher unit to go with them. In such a small car people think it is much further away than it is so increased visibility is a godsend. I also have LED headlights that are super super bright and I think may be illegal. I think you need self levelling suspension to have them? But I can see where I am going now! :lol:

Re: Choosing and Fitting Hazard Warning Switch

PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 8:26 am
by William2
Thanks one and all for your help. I live near one of those awful "Smart Motorways" which should be called death trap motorways from what I've read! If I had the misfortune to break down on one of them I think hazards would be essential.