Having recently become a Panda owner in the late summer months, I am now discovering a potential flaw in the autumn/winter months. I frequently get in the car in the morn to find the headlights still turned on. 80% off the time it is my wife leaving them on when the car is turned off, but sometimes I am also guilty of this.
Yes, I agree that in some ways it is a masterstroke by Fiat that when you switch the ignition off the headlights also go off. But I think there is the scope to kill bulbs faster too. When you switch the ignition on, then proceed to start the car, you'll notice the lights flicker on and off. This flickering can't realistically be good for the longevity of a bulb, particularly in the frequently low winter temps here in the north.
I've uprated the bulbs to Osram Nightbreaker 200s, so their working hours is shorter vs a normal H4, and the cost higher, so I'm keen to maximise their lifespan. It's unlikely that the wife will find the discipline to switch them off whenever exiting or entering the vehicle, so retrofitting a buzzer is the best option.
It needs to activate only when light switch on, ignition off, door open. Or even just light switch on, ignition off, irrespective of door. How easy/tricky is this on a canbus system?
*Originally posted in the Tech Talk forum, as I thought it a relevant issue to a number of different models, has been moved to Panda (presumably because of title)
Yes, I agree that in some ways it is a masterstroke by Fiat that when you switch the ignition off the headlights also go off. But I think there is the scope to kill bulbs faster too. When you switch the ignition on, then proceed to start the car, you'll notice the lights flicker on and off. This flickering can't realistically be good for the longevity of a bulb, particularly in the frequently low winter temps here in the north.
I've uprated the bulbs to Osram Nightbreaker 200s, so their working hours is shorter vs a normal H4, and the cost higher, so I'm keen to maximise their lifespan. It's unlikely that the wife will find the discipline to switch them off whenever exiting or entering the vehicle, so retrofitting a buzzer is the best option.
It needs to activate only when light switch on, ignition off, door open. Or even just light switch on, ignition off, irrespective of door. How easy/tricky is this on a canbus system?
*Originally posted in the Tech Talk forum, as I thought it a relevant issue to a number of different models, has been moved to Panda (presumably because of title)
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