lights??
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 2
From: East Peoria, IL
lights??
i just wired a set of fog lights and mounted them on my receiver hitch
i wired the power into the cigar lighter in my 99 F250 Superduty
i do not think these lights are putting out as much light as they could be
do i not have enough power going to them or is that as bright as they get?
thanks
nic
i wired the power into the cigar lighter in my 99 F250 Superduty
i do not think these lights are putting out as much light as they could be
do i not have enough power going to them or is that as bright as they get?
thanks
nic
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 3
From: Peoria, IL
First you need to understand how a relay works. A relay usually has one coil circuit that when energized becomes an electromagnet causing the contacts within the relay to move. In most instances you use what is called a normally open relay. In a normally open relay the contacts do not touch until the coil is energized. Once the coil is energized the contacts move and complete the circuit.
So for your case you would run a wire from the positive terminal of the battery to one terminal on the relay. You would then run a wire from the other terminal of the relay back to the lights. Then you would take a short wire from one of the coil terminals on the relay and run it to ground. Finally you would run a wire from a 12V+ source in the cab, through a switch, and out to the other coil terminal on the relay.
So for your case you would run a wire from the positive terminal of the battery to one terminal on the relay. You would then run a wire from the other terminal of the relay back to the lights. Then you would take a short wire from one of the coil terminals on the relay and run it to ground. Finally you would run a wire from a 12V+ source in the cab, through a switch, and out to the other coil terminal on the relay.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,679
From: Stephensville WI
Maybe this will help:
http://www.classictruckshop.com/club...osch/relay.htm
Wire the lights like the POWER TO TURN CIRCUIT ON diagram. Ignore the ON WITH SWITCH OFF circuit connected to pin 87A. Your lights would be wired to pin 87.
Also, make sure you're using a heavy gauge wire for the power. Lights draw a lot of power. Using a wire that is too skinny will dim the lights.
Finally, make double sure the grounds you are using for the lights are clean and making good mechanical contact.
http://www.classictruckshop.com/club...osch/relay.htm
Wire the lights like the POWER TO TURN CIRCUIT ON diagram. Ignore the ON WITH SWITCH OFF circuit connected to pin 87A. Your lights would be wired to pin 87.
Also, make sure you're using a heavy gauge wire for the power. Lights draw a lot of power. Using a wire that is too skinny will dim the lights.
Finally, make double sure the grounds you are using for the lights are clean and making good mechanical contact.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 3
From: Peoria, IL
That is a great site for explaining relays Redford. I'm adding it to my favorites. I did a quick google search and didn't find much so I just tried to write it out. But a picture is worth a thousand words.
One thing that page doesn't mention, and I forgot to also. Is be sure to put a fuse in the 12V+ line between the battery and the relay, pretty much as close to the battery as possible.
One thing that page doesn't mention, and I forgot to also. Is be sure to put a fuse in the 12V+ line between the battery and the relay, pretty much as close to the battery as possible.
Last edited by Beerstalker; Jul 27, 2007 at 04:11 PM.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,679
From: Stephensville WI
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,612
Likes: 2
From: Dunwoody, GA
To answer your original question, yes you do not have enough power going to the fog lights. The cig lighter is for small items generally 5-10amps. Pushing anything more and you are risking melting the wire or blowing the fuse.
As for how dim they are? Well that depends... you didn't state what brand/model they are or their specs.
As for how dim they are? Well that depends... you didn't state what brand/model they are or their specs.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 597
Likes: 22
From: Central Maine
Good relay link, will save that one to send when trying to explain this one. nh, what is the Watt rating of the fog lights? A pair of 60W bulbs will draw 10 amps, assuming worse case batt voltage of 12V, so the cig lighter source will likely not be enough. Smaller wire diameter will cause a voltage drop across the wire, further limiting the voltage to the lights. A good 12ga or smaller would be ok.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
94GreenTruck
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Jul 25, 2014 12:22 PM