Aftermarket foglight install

[Redline]

I was reading the install instructions for a set of foglights and I ran into a couple minor problems.

I realize that I'll have to run the rocker switch wires thru the firewall to the interior, but my problem is whether or not it's safe to splice another length of wire to the existing ones in case they're not long enough. Also, how would I be able to determine the "safest" gauge wire to hold the voltage/current that runs from switch to lights?

One other thing that bugs me. It says that I have to connect the power wire to either the battery (hell no) or the fuse box. I'd rather connect to the fuse box, but I'm not sure how I would do this. What fuse do I connect to? Headlights? Something else? Someone please point me in the right direction.....these instructions suck when it comes to the electrical stuff.

Thanks for any help!


Redline

[eviltwin67]

You should really run auxillary lights with a relay. Decent relay kits will come with different colored wires of sufficient gauge (14-12). With the relay, one wire goes to the battery for the power(this should have the fuse), one goes to a ground, one runs from the relay to the lights, and the last wire goes from the relay to a "switched" source. I use my Hella FF100s for daytime running lights as well as driving lights, so I used a switched source that is only "hot" when the ignition is on, so I don't have to worry about killing the battery if I forget to switch them off. I "spliced" my switch into the the wire that goes to the ignition-on only source so that I can still turn the light on and off when I need to. Check here to see why you should use a relay and what parts you will need to DIY right for auxillary and headlights.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...ys/relays.html

[Redline]

bump for help...

here's what the instruction sorta looks like, only for the power connection:


rocker switch
[__]
4__]--------blue--------[\]--------------blue--------> to fuse box or (+)battery terminal
[__]---------red--------------X

where [\] is a 15 amp fuse, and X denotes the lights.


the blue wires are power wires....and as you can see (if the diagram is clear to you), a 15 amp fuse is provided. Is this what "eviltwin67" is referring to as a "relay"? What's the best course of action? Maybe if someone out there with an installed aftermarket foglight system can take a few pics of their electrical setup, that would be great.

All help and suggestions are appreciated....thx!

Redline

[Cyorke]

NO the fuse is not a relay. I would suggest going to your local parts store and tell them what you are wanting to do. I would imagine someone there will be able to give you suggestions as to what relays and guage wires you should use. It is probably going to be hard to explain over the internet. Basically you want the relay to carry the load of the lights. You will have to have power to one side of the relay that is fused. Then it will need to be grounded. Youwill need some wy of supplying poer to the relay. When the realy is closed the lights will turn on.


(Power source)----[fuse]-------{relay}_______[fuse]____________<lights>
{relay}
(Ground)------------------------{relay}____________________<ground for lights>

As for getting power to the relay you can go several different routes. You can use a rocker switch in the car, or have it set up on your headlights or marker lights or something along those lines. The relay is basically a switch designed to carry the load of the lights. This is the best I can do as for a diagram but hopefully it will help a little bit. If anyone else can add to it please feel free. I am by no means an expert at this type stuff jsut trying to give very basic info on it.

[88 LE]

You need a automotive relay. Either SPST or SPDT.

The relay will have 4 or 5 connections and the connections are labeled.


87: Power (constant +12V).

87a: Not used. Only a SPDT relay has this connection.

85: Ground

86: Trigger. Wire this to the parking light wire.

30: Output to foglights (positive wire).


If you wire it up like above, the foglights will turn on whenever the parking lights or headlights are on.

And if you want to be able to turn the foglights on/off, wire a switch inline with 85 or 86 on the relay.

Wire up the fuse inline with 87 on the relay.



Relay:

http://www.nteinc.com/relay_web/R51.html

[dna59]

You could buy a wiring kit for it. Those come with everything you need, including relays, you can even get one of the kits that come with a lil alarm like remote to turn it on and off.

[Redline]

Originally Posted by 88 LE

If you wire it up like above, the foglights will turn on whenever the parking lights or headlights are on.

And if you want to be able to turn the foglights on/off, wire a switch inline with 85 or 86 on the relay.

Wire up the fuse inline with 87 on the relay.

when you say "like above", are you referring to Cyorke's diagram, or the one I posted? also, just to clarify what you said, if I want to be able to switch on/off the foglights, I'll have to wire up the relay as shown below, right?

relay
|c 87|----[fuse]--------+12V power
|c 85|---ground
|c 86|-----[switch]----{parking light power wire}
|c 30|---output

Please correct me if I'm wrong...I don't wanna blow a fuse or worse. Still n00b with the electrical stuff


Thanks to all those who replied. I'll take the advice and buy an automotive relay. Oh sry...one last question: good place (retailer) to buy a relay? Don't wanna be getting a cheapo one from radio shack or canadian tire if they're gonna die on me. THX AGAIN!

Redline

[Cyorke]

I am not sure. I would think you could put it on either side. You can have the switch turn on to supply power to the relay or you could have hte switch on the light side. I would probably put it on the relay side. If you had it on the light side you would have hte relay powered all the time. Over time I am sure this would cause it to wear quicker. Just my opinion.

[chronoti]

redline: your right

88LE: i'm jacking this thread now. which of the 2 type you listed would be best? i'm going to be changing to HID next week. i'm going to be using a OME setup not a kit (no relay) and i need one where it closes when voltage is appied (not close till voltage for open)

[chronoti]

never mind i just looked at it and relise one is just double throw.

but what amp fuse and relay should i use for it? and i'm going to use a single relay in me set up (lazy).

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by Redline

when you say "like above", are you referring to Cyorke's diagram, or the one I posted?

Like above, meaning the instructions in my post.

also, just to clarify what you said, if I want to be able to switch on/off the foglights, I'll have to wire up the relay as shown below, right?

relay
|c 87|----[fuse]--------+12V power
|c 85|---ground
|c 86|-----[switch]----{parking light power wire}
|c 30|---output

Correct.

You can wire the switch inline with 85 or 86.

good place (retailer) to buy a relay? Don't wanna be getting a cheapo one from radio shack or canadian tire if they're gonna die on me.

Radio Shack, Canadian Tire, car stereo shop, or electronics supply store.

Doesn't really matter where you buy it from.

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by chronoti

never mind i just looked at it and relise one is just double throw.

Yup.

SPST = single pole, single throw
SPDT = single pole, double throw

30 to 87 is NO (normally open) on both relays (spst and spdt).

30 to 87a is NC (normally closed) on a spdt relay.

The only difference is a extra connection (87a).

but what amp fuse and relay should i use for it? and i'm going to use a single relay in me set up (lazy).

Size of the fuse depends on the current draw. So you'll have to figure that out.

For the relay, you can use either one (spst or spdt).

Originally Posted by Cyorke

I am not sure. I would think you could put it on either side. You can have the switch turn on to supply power to the relay or you could have hte switch on the light side.

If you wire up the switch like said, you kinda defeat the purpose of the relay.

And in this case, you have to make sure the switch can handle the current draw of the foglights.

I would probably put it on the relay side. If you had it on the light side you would have hte relay powered all the time. Over time I am sure this would cause it to wear quicker. Just my opinion.

Installing the switch on the relay (inline with 85 or 86) is the best. This way you don't have to worry about frying the switch, from to much current being drawn through it.

The relay would not be powered all the time. Even though 87 is connected to constant +12V, the relay is not energized.

It only works when the coil (85 and 86) receives power. Then 30 switches to 87.

[Redline]

Hey 88LE...I just realized something.

I did the "corner lamp (parking light) blinkers" mod on my Camry not too long ago, and I remember having to splice the bumper blinkers and corner lamps together. If I'm gonna place the swtich inline with the corner lamp power wire, then won't that affect the corner lamp blinking? Wno't that mean the corner lamps stay off until I put the switch in the "on" position? i.e: ("_p"=powered, "_o"=open, "<" ">" = current flow)

relay
|c 87_o|----[fuse]<--------+12V power
|c 85_?|---ground
|c 86_o|-----[switch off]<----{parking light power wire from car/dash} = (parking light off}
|c 30_o|---output

relay
|c 87_p|<----[fuse]<--------+12V power
|c 85_?|---ground
|c 86_p|<-----[switch on]<----{parking light power wire from car/dash} = (parking light on)
|c 30_p|--->output


or maybe I should just place the switch inline with the |c 85| ground connection? and as the diagram shows above, doesn't the switch still have to hold current (in the off position) until the swtich it turned "on"?

OMG.....I learned this stuff about 4 mths ago! I can't believe I've forgotten already. I hate circuits theory. I'm a "do it and see what happens" kinda guy. Of course, that's not the safest way to do things with vehicle electricals cuz I know I'll screw something up.



Anyways, sorry for the LONG post and all the Q's. If it's easier, you can PM me or hit me up on MSN (PM me for screen name/addy)


Redline

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by Redline

If I'm gonna place the swtich inline with the corner lamp power wire, then won't that affect the corner lamp blinking? Wno't that mean the corner lamps stay off until I put the switch in the "on" position?

Only if you place the switch inline with the wire going to the corner lamp.

maybe I should just place the switch inline with the |c 85| ground connection?

Go ahead and wire the switch inline with 85 (ground). Since your all confused with the parking light issue.

and as the diagram shows above, doesn't the switch still have to hold current (in the off position) until the swtich it turned "on"?

No. If a switch is off, theres no current flowing through it.

[Hajoca]

Have you got your relay yet?

Canadian tire sells a aux light wiring kit for 20 CDN with all wires, switch, fuse and connectors you need but you already have them, basically your just missing a relay and socket.

I have used a handful of 4 pin toyota relays and a couple of the 5 pin relays mentioned above for fog /driving light installs on friends cars...

I got them at Princess Auto for 3 or 4 cdn a relay, and they also sell a 5pin relay socket for 2.49. It is well worth it. (princess auto in Whitby, thickson road and 401, short drive )

The 4 pin Denso relays have a bracket and rubber jacket, selling for 99 cnets right now.

Anyways, do you have a volt meter?
Tap the switch source before the modified wiring section, you know,
from the parking light mod you did, when the car has the parking light is the splice connection the green wire with black stripe, test the voltage to ground with your lights on and then turn them off with the car running and not.

So if that is the an appropriate switched source, connect it to 86.