AuxBeam Driving Lights

AuxBeam Driving Lights: Long-Range Control for Rural and Backroad Night Driving

AuxBeam driving lights concentrate light down the road so you see wildlife, dips, and debris earlier and with less eye strain. They supplement (not replace) your high beams and are intended for open roads without oncoming traffic.

When to Choose (and When to Skip)

• Use if: You often drive unlit highways, ranch roads, desert tracks, or forest service routes above 35–45 mph.
• Use if: Your factory high beams feel bright up close but fade at distance.
• Avoid if: You mostly drive in city/suburban lighting or heavy traffic—fog lights or better low beams may help more.
• Avoid if: Your mounting options are flimsy plastic grilles that vibrate; choose a bumper/brush bar mount first.

Beam Patterns and Pairing

• Pencil/spot: Narrow cone for maximum reach on straight, fast roads.
• Euro/drive: Strong center hot spot with modest shoulder spill—good for mixed terrain and gentle curves.
• Combo pairing: One spot + one drive balances distance with roadside context. Aim the drive slightly toward the shoulder.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Longer reaction time, less fatigue, complements OEM high beams, targeted light where you need it.
• Cons: Not for traffic or inclement weather glare, needs solid mounting and careful aim, may require wiring know‑how.

Fit and Compatibility

• Mounting: Use metal bumper/brush bar/light tabs; avoid unsupported plastic. Roof mounts can reflect off hood and amplify rain/snow glare—add a visor or choose lower mounts.
• Vehicle systems: For vehicles with auto high-beam/DRL/CAN bus, trigger a relay from a verified high-beam signal or use an add‑a‑circuit and a switch panel. Avoid tapping sensitive control modules.
• Size and weight: Confirm bracket hole spacing and weight capacity; a stiff mount prevents shake that smears the beam at speed.

Wiring and Control (Quick Specs)

The cleanest setup is a fused battery feed to a 30/40 A relay, with the relay coil triggered by your factory high-beam signal and a dashboard override switch.

• Fuse: 125% of total lamp current (round up to the next standard value). Place within 6–12 inches of the battery.
• Wire: Use quality copper, sealed connectors, and heat-shrink. Ground to bare, clean chassis or battery negative.
• Install time: 60–120 minutes with a premade harness; 2–3 hours if integrating with a switch panel.

Label the switch so you can disable instantly for oncoming traffic. Verify the driving lights turn off with your low beams.

Aiming for Real Roads

1. On level ground at night, set hot spots to land slightly below the horizon at your typical cruising distance.
2. Stagger left/right a few degrees to broaden coverage without wasting light into the treeline.
3. Test on an empty road for hood reflection, sign glare, and vibration; readjust as needed.

Maintenance

• Clean lenses regularly; bugs and dust reduce intensity.
• Re-torque brackets after the first rough trip and quarterly thereafter.
• Inspect connectors for corrosion; apply dielectric grease to seals and terminals.
• Replace cracked or chipped lenses promptly to protect the housing and gaskets.

Legal and Courtesy Notes

• Use only with high beams and switch off early for oncoming or preceding traffic.
• Check local laws for mounting height, covers, and the number of auxiliary lamps allowed.
• In rain, snow, or fog, prefer low-mounted fog lights; long-range beams can increase backscatter and glare.

Alternatives and Complements

• Fog lights: Low, wide, cutoff beam for bad weather and low-speed work.
• Light bars: Broad area fill; helpful for trails but can add hood and weather glare if roof-mounted.
• Upgraded bulbs/LED low beams: Improve baseline visibility before adding long-range auxiliaries.

Buyer’s Checklist

1. Pick spot, drive, or a combo based on your roads and speeds.
2. Confirm rigid mounting points and hardware (locknuts, thread locker, serrated washers).
3. Plan a high-beam-triggered relay with a manual override switch.
4. Size wire and fuse for total current and run length.
5. Verify legal requirements (covers, height limits) in your state.

FAQ

Bottom line: Solid mounts, clean wiring, thoughtful aiming, and courteous use make AuxBeam driving lights a valuable upgrade for dark, empty roads.