(Model KOLO12DUO pictured)The REDARC Key On Lights On is designed to switch on the vehicle headlights when the vehicle key is turned on.
REDARC Electronics are experiencing increased demand of their new range of Key-On Lights-On (KOLO) Controllers due to increased awareness of the importance of headlights in reducing vehicle accidents particularly on mine sites.
Headlights aren't just for night time and inclement weather use. Recent US statistics show that by driving with your headlights on at all times, even on bright sunny days, you reduce the likelihood of being involved in a collision by as much as 32% (source: State of Michigan). Turning on your headlights lets the other driver see you first; because the human eye is light-seeking, drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists will see an oncoming car sooner and be less likely to pull into its path.
While the biggest advantage of the systems is when natural light is low, such as at dusk or dawn or when skies are overcast, research indicates that they are also an advantage even on bright, sunny days. Drivers will see an oncoming car, truck or bus sooner and make a more accurate estimate of its rate of approach.
A large mining company based in the Pilbara WA has a policy that states when driving in the Pilbara "vehicle headlights must be on at all times while travelling on unsealed roads or between the minesites". Other minesites are making the use of headlights mandatory at all times.
REDARC have designed and manufactured a microprocessor controlled Key-On Lights-On Controller that is used in a negative earth vehicle to turn on the headlights whenever the ignition switch is on. These are being used in numerous minesites around the country. The KOLO has three internal 30A relays, all controlled by the microprocessor. These relays are turned on by the ignition switch +12V (or +24V) input. The relay contacts are "voltage free" and can be used to switch +12V (or +24V) or ground either direct to lights or to lighting relays.
Besides the basic operation there are other features that may be used if required:
- Park/tail lights may also be turned on.
- Parklight switch inputs (use either the ground input or the +12V (or +24V) input depending on vehicle wiring) to switch off the headlights, if parklights are required without headlights.
- High beam may be disabled if only the low beam is required with ignition (this feature is disabled when parklight/headlight switch is turned on).
- Disable input that (when grounded) will switch the unit off. This may be grounded (e.g.) by the handbrake switch, neutral switch, door switch or a manual switch to turn the headlights off at these times.
The KOLO operates in the following way:
- All three relays are turned on 10 seconds after ignition is turned on.
- When the parklight switch is turned on, relays 1 & 3 are turned off, 2 remains on.
- If the disable input is grounded, the ignition input is over-ridden and all three relays are turned off. Note that if the parklight switch is on, relay 2 will remain on in this case.
Various options can be programmed into the microprocessor during assembly, for example:
- The turn on delay can be decreased or increased (reducing battery starting load).
- A turn off delay can be included (useful at night).
- Lights can be held off until vehicle voltage reaches 13V (reducing battery starting load).
See PDF
- The "O" version has an override facility that disables the KOLO by flicking the lights on and off.
| Part No |
Dimensions (mm) |
Weight (kg) |
Voltage Range |
Operator Override Option |
| KOLO12DU |
90 L
70 W
32 H |
0.4 |
10-15
Volts DC |
No |
| KOLO12DUO |
Yes |
| KOLO24DU |
20-30
Volts DC |
No |
| KOLO24DUO |
Yes |
