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Helphos spotlight wiring.
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Miklo
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 8:26 pm    Post subject: Helphos spotlight wiring. Reply with quote

I recently purchased an early Helphos spotlight (with the long cord) and was wondering how these were correctly wired into the car?

I know they weren't Volkswagen specific, even though Vws were used in most of their literature/instructions.

It came with all the original instructions and it explains drilling the hole in the dash for the cord to coil up inside the trunk but... it doesn't explain where it is wired...

If nobody knows, I'll take some ideas/suggestions...
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^^^
What kind of terminals are these?
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RareAir
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 9:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Helphos lights usually have a cigarette lighter adapter on them
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Miklo
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 9:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks RareAir, I was hoping one of you "knowledgeable accessory" guys would pop up. Wink

From what I have seen there are, at least two different styles of Helphos spot/searchlights.

Maybe early and late styles?

The first things I've noticed is the way Helphos is written on the housing. Look at the S on Helphos.

Pics from the gallery.
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Then there are ones with a stylized S, kinda hard to see in this pic...
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Also notice the ring around the button, the others don't have that...

But... like you stated, I have seen both styles have cigarette light adapters, the ones that do have black cords. I have never seen a long/white cord with a male adapter... maybe those terminals are for a lighter? ... And how is it supposed to work in a cigarette lighter if they want you to coil it up in the trunk?
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GermanRust52
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 8:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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IN2VWS
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 2:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

While the plug is the simplest way to connect them, when they were new, they were not delivered with plugs.
Both my NOS ones have no plugs, and the instructions show them hard wired.

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PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 6:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey VeeDubDoug,
I too was fortunate to purchase a NOS Helphos spot light some years ago. A few things I learned include
the directions are located on line at

http://www.autochron.co.uk/instructions.shtml

If you go there, scroll down to the Helphos icon and click on it to get the sheet.
I also learned that in Europe they used a somewhat smaller plug
( euro plug?) as well as hard wired the light into the beetle and bus.
For splitwindow buses it may be easier to purchase a cigarette lighter
and wire it into the bus, then use it as a plug-in for your light. Thats what I did on my '63 15 window bus. I have my light wired so I can extend it back to the engine "room" and tinker if required at night. Cigarette lighters and plugs are available at a number of places. Additionaly, with the plug, I've used the Helphos light in my American Dodge truck and Japanese Scion XB. Really handy.

I also stumbled on a wiring diagram for the Helphos spotlight in the
German model of the transporter August 1967 (for 1968 model bus)
wire instructions. You might also look in the American version of that
year transporter, the bay window, to see if its included there.

Finally, with regard to extra bulbs for your light. I've learned in a pinch you can use General electric number 1195 bulbs.
Helphos spotlights used both 6 and 12 volt bulbs manufactured by dr. g. fischer. They can be hard to locate at times. When I purchased my light,
my bus was updated to 12 volt. So, after some seaching ( this was nearly
ten years ago while I worked civil service in Japan) I came across
some 12 volt bulbs for the Helphos made in Germany by Fischer.
These were being sold by a guy in Australia, so I bought a bunch of them.
Glad i did. As I said the bulbs can be hard to find sometimes.

Aside from that, I've really enjoyed the little spot light. Really convenient!
Good luck! Very Happy
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 9:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There are instructions on this site too:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/helphos_spotlight.php

If anyone has other instruction sheets available, please send me scans for the site.
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Miklo
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 10:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

EverettB wrote:
If anyone has other instruction sheets available, please send me scans for the site.


I do.

The light came with two set of instructions German and English (like the ones posted in the links). There is also a supplement paper explaining drilling a 10mm hole in the dash and using the supplied grommet.
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I can scan it if you are interested, I haven't seen it posted with the instructions anywhere online.

Also, while not instructions, I also have a sales invoice from Helphos, which I though was pretty cool, dated 20.7.1967.
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Received by mail.

1 suction cup

Free sample! Wink


I just don't understand if they wanted you to route the wires into the trunk area how did they expect you to use the cigarette plug?
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IN2VWS
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 4:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

VeeDubDoug wrote:

I just don't understand if they wanted you to route the wires into the trunk area how did they expect you to use the cigarette plug?


Where does it say anywhere in the instructions that they expect you to use the cigarette lighter plug?
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Miklo
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 5:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

IN2VWS wrote:
VeeDubDoug wrote:

I just don't understand if they wanted you to route the wires into the trunk area how did they expect you to use the cigarette plug?


Where does it say anywhere in the instructions that they expect you to use the cigarette lighter plug?


Exactly, everyone keeps telling me they had cigarette lighter plugs.

I know most do, but I know some didn't.

I didn't see this picture you posted earlier on my first read through, thanks!
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It says to fasten to pin 58, that would that be pin 58 on the headlight switch?
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srm1956
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 9:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here's how I installed my Helphos spot light. I wanted a cigarette lighter plug in my car for the light and for other things like a cell phone charger. Not willing to drill a hole in my dash for one. So I decited to put a plug in my ash tray. I don't smoke nor will anyone else smoke in my car. So I found a ash tray at the swap meet (kept my ash tray just incase I wanted to put it back to stock). I also found a Hella Euro/America cigarette lighter plug at the swap meet. I then went down to a local eletrinics store and purchased some 2 pin molex connectors. I cut the cord about 6" from the light housing, I installed the cigarette lighter plug at the end, then cut the cord again in the middle to install the molex plug, I then put molex connectors on the remaining wire. Now I can use the excess cable when needed. I already installed a 6 position fuse block. a couple extra fuses for the light and other things like my gauges and fog lights. Here's some pics

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SAMBA VAN MAN
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 3:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

SRM1956
Is your car running 12 volt? Or 6 volts? Also where did you get your glove box handle from? Very Happy
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bobsmyuncle
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 07, 2019 3:26 pm    Post subject: Re: Helphos spotlight wiring. Reply with quote

There are some good tips is this thread, I'm glad I found it.

Seems to be some folks with some useful knowledge here. If you have the time or interest check out my post below. If you see any problems, or have anything to add, I'd love to hear it.

http://frontseatdriving.com/blog/helphos-eye-of-the-car/
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 6:29 am    Post subject: Re: Helphos spotlight wiring. Reply with quote

This info is great BUT where do you get or How do you replace the suction rubber????????????????????????? I found 12v bulbs but no parts !
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 12:51 pm    Post subject: Re: Helphos spotlight wiring. Reply with quote

NUTSFORBUSES wrote:
This info is great BUT where do you get or How do you replace the suction rubber????????????????????????? I found 12v bulbs but no parts !


Good luck! There was someone selling them in South America at one point. I reached out to them to secure one for testing but never received a response. Best bet sadly is to grab a NOS lamp and swap the parts.
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