Best way to wire fog lights?
#16
06-30-2014, 01:46 AM
Hotshot
Long wire runs on high amperage loads require larger wire to avoid voltage drop. Voltage drop will causes your lights to be dimmer than they should. The best bet would be to keep the high amperage wiring short and up front. Install a relay harness, either one you made yourself or one you bought, connected to the battery with the low amperage relay activation wire lead back to the cab to the switch. And please, please, properly fuse the connection to the battery as well as the wire which runs to the switch to activate the relay.
So I wired it up myself with a relay and rocker switch. Best part is, I can turn the fogs on and off anytime I want, even with hi-beams.
#17
06-30-2014, 11:40 AM
Logistics Pro
I've used quite a few relays over the decades. Most have been trouble free, but a few have died young. I don't shy away from them, but I'm always a little nervous for the first month or so. If they make it that long they seem to last a long time.
#18
06-30-2014, 01:57 PM
I have a number of relays from the 80's in my VW van powering aux lights, radio, fridge, and what not.
#19
06-30-2014, 07:31 PM
I use (mostly) Bosch relays. They are expensive, but if you can go to a junk yard with some German cars, like VWs, you can get good quality Bosch relays for cheap. They will last. Shy away from the cheap ones made in China. Make sure you use 20-30 amp.
I have a number of relays from the 80's in my VW van powering aux lights, radio, fridge, and what not.
I have a number of relays from the 80's in my VW van powering aux lights, radio, fridge, and what not.
The Ford NOS Halogen Fog Light Kits (e.g. F9TZ15200A) use Bosch relays and normally run a blue line up to the light switch from the relay............
Ford also advises (in its factory post delivery fog lamp kits ---I've installed many) to keep the fog lamps at least 12" above the pavement.......food for thought......
#20
06-30-2014, 07:57 PM
Logistics Pro
I use (mostly) Bosch relays. They are expensive, but if you can go to a junk yard with some German cars, like VWs, you can get good quality Bosch relays for cheap. They will last. Shy away from the cheap ones made in China. Make sure you use 20-30 amp.
I have a number of relays from the 80's in my VW van powering aux lights, radio, fridge, and what not.
I have a number of relays from the 80's in my VW van powering aux lights, radio, fridge, and what not.
I might feel a little different about a more critical application, but generally I can get by with a bad relay until I can get it replaced, even if it means simply connecting the output to the supply side and losing the ability to turn off a fuel pump until I pop the hood. For fog lights I wouldn't sweat it at all, just leave them off until I could get another $5 relay.
#21
07-01-2014, 12:18 AM
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I like keeping my lights independent of eachother, and having full control over them. If I somehow lost my headlights entirely on a dark country road, I can still get my truck home with the fogs. I don't know if total headlight failure (switch failure, fuse, evil spirits, etc) would mean the relayed foglights would become useless too, but having everything separate gives some peace to my feeble mind 
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