Help with wiring light bar
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Help with wiring light bar
My truck has the kind of light switch that when the headlights are on, when you pull it, the fog lights come on. Has anyone successfully been able to install a light bar so I can use the factory switch? I don't even think I'm prewired for fog lights but wanted to see if setting it up this way is possible if I run the wires correctly.
2000 F250
2000 F250
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
What you want to do can be done pretty easily. If you are using a small light bar, you can just get an adapter from KD Fabworks. OE Foglight Pigtail Wiring - 9005/9006/H10 Note the warning they give about current draw. The fog lights are fused at 10 amps for the pair, so the new light bar can't draw more than that. In a 12V system with a 10A fuse, the max you could run is a 120W bar (P = V x I). When the engine is running its actually 14.4V so there is a little bit of buffer room.
If you want to put on a bigger light bar, you need to use a relay. The fog light connection will power the coil side of the relay. When you energize the coil it closes a switch (contacts) in the relay that will send power to a larger light bar. You will need to add a fuse from the battery to the relay for protection sized accordingly. You will also have to select wire that is heavy enough. probably 12AWG or 10AWG. I can help you further with parts and instructions if needed.
If you want to put on a bigger light bar, you need to use a relay. The fog light connection will power the coil side of the relay. When you energize the coil it closes a switch (contacts) in the relay that will send power to a larger light bar. You will need to add a fuse from the battery to the relay for protection sized accordingly. You will also have to select wire that is heavy enough. probably 12AWG or 10AWG. I can help you further with parts and instructions if needed.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
What you want to do can be done pretty easily. If you are using a small light bar, you can just get an adapter from KD Fabworks. OE Foglight Pigtail Wiring - 9005/9006/H10 Note the warning they give about current draw. The fog lights are fused at 10 amps for the pair, so the new light bar can't draw more than that. In a 12V system with a 10A fuse, the max you could run is a 120W bar (P = V x I). When the engine is running its actually 14.4V so there is a little bit of buffer room.
If you want to put on a bigger light bar, you need to use a relay. The fog light connection will power the coil side of the relay. When you energize the coil it closes a switch (contacts) in the relay that will send power to a larger light bar. You will need to add a fuse from the battery to the relay for protection sized accordingly. You will also have to select wire that is heavy enough. probably 12AWG or 10AWG. I can help you further with parts and instructions if needed.
If you want to put on a bigger light bar, you need to use a relay. The fog light connection will power the coil side of the relay. When you energize the coil it closes a switch (contacts) in the relay that will send power to a larger light bar. You will need to add a fuse from the battery to the relay for protection sized accordingly. You will also have to select wire that is heavy enough. probably 12AWG or 10AWG. I can help you further with parts and instructions if needed.
Here is the light. 120W High Power LED Light Bar For 1999-2007 Ford F-250 F250
It's 120 Watt
Generic wiring instructions with the switch that came with it: General Guide on How to Wire Relay Harness w/ On/Off Switch
I emailed the company and they gave me a pretty generic answer... I'm sure other's have asked this question.... "With this LED light bar as long you connect it to a 12V power source then it should be able to work. You don't need to connect it with the power switch that it came with. "
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
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My 2000 F350 also has the headlight switch that pulls out. I am in the process of installing fog lights on it and the wife's Excursion. I was like you in thinking the F350 had the fog light switch...though they weren't an option until 2001...but have done some research and I think the reason it pulls out is for switch removal. I ordered a headlight switch for the Excursion that has the fog light option...kind of weird that that unit is designed different than the F350. The fog lights came with a wiring harness that includes factory style light plugs, independent fuse, capacitor, switch, etc. and I think you can get them on Ebay for about $10. I am converting everything over to led bulbs and the H-10 fog bulbs are cheap and bright...big difference between them and the stock halogens.
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