DB18 Wiring for Single Spotlight

[Hedgie]

I am restoring a 1950 DB18 DHC, Chassis Number: 56049, Engine Number: 42200.

This car has a single spotlight in addition to the 2 headlights and sidelights.

Does anyone know how the spotlight was wired?

Was it in series with the mainbeam, or was there a separate switch for it? If the latter where was this switch normally located on the dashboard facia?

Best regards
Tony

[watkindj]

Tony, its is a pass lamp not a spot lamp and is included in the original wiring diagram. I believe operated through the floor mounted dipper switch.

[John Hitchins]

On my DB18 saloon the dip switch is left of the gear change pedal. In the days of the MOT one pass light was not allowed and so have 2 now because dipping takes out the headlights down to the original one. I don't think the law would interfere now as the younger Police force don't remember them. I had a similar problem with the MOT as young mechanic insisted on flashing indicators having never see a trafficator before.

[qantasqf1]

That's correct. Looking at the wiring diagram, the dip switch when set on high beam operates both headlights. When the switch is pressed it extinguished both headlights and illuminates the pass lamp. However, it might be a good idea to see whether your headlight bulbs are single filament because they can be replaced by later type double filaments. In fact I think export DB18s were like this from manufacture. Anyway, if you have single filament bulbs your headlights/pass light operate in the original manner, but if yours are double filament bulbs the lights have been modified and operate in the usual main/dip manner. The pass lamp can remain for cosmetic reasons or it can be wired up as a separate circuit and act as a spot light operated by a dash board switch. The latter is a better arrangement IMHO, but it's not a good idea to use both headlights and the spotlight at the same time because that places a pretty heavy demand on the poor old dynamo in particular and the charging system in general!
Steve

[Hedgie]

Thanks everybody.

My car has double filiament bulbs in the headlights, operated by the dipswitch. So I think we will go for Steve's solution.

Tony