Fog Light install? Part 2

[Sarra]

I bought a wiring kit for the fog lights. It included full wiring system, including an illuminated switch and a relay.

The relay has a wire with a fuse on it that goes to the headlight or high beam circuit, so when the headlights are on, the fog lights can be turned on, and when they're off, the fog lights can't be turned on.

So, the first question is, can I connect my fog relay to the DRL circuit instead of the highbeam/lowbeam circuit? Basically, my headlights are on unless my parking brake is pulled. I'm really only going to use the Fog Lights when offroad, but when offroad, if it's foggy, I won't use the highbeams... :( I need to thurn these on whather the high beams are on or off.

Second, how do I get the power circuit fromt he alternator to the relay?

Third, how do I get the power circuit from the relay to the fog lights themselves? I know that the fogs both will ground to the body of the car, so that is not an issue. :)

[BAC5.2]

Here is what I would do.

12v key-on constant to the switch, fuse that if you are drawing from the fuse box or something.

From the switch, run a wire to the relay (the terminals should be labeled).

Ground the relay (the opposite terminal from the switch input is the one you will ground, usually. At least that's for a single pole, single throw. I'm assuming this is that type of relay).

Then, you need 12v key-on constant INTO the relay, and use that as the power feed for the fog light. Ground the other side.

If it were me, I'd purchase and use a second relay from the same switched source for the second light. This will reduce overall resistance by reducing overall wire length. Set it up the same way.

Now, you can ground the second light, and you'll be set!

Flip the switch, trigger the relays, voila! Lights they are a shining!

Fuse each relay to prevent explosions, lol. I guess you would fuse INTO the relay, and any accidental short-to-ground would blow the fuse and disable the relay.

Make sure you use relays rated for the proper amperage draw and of the proper type. You want one rated at something like 40amps Continious and N.O. (designed to be open more than closed, same type of relay used for the headlights). N.O means Normally open, meaning at rest the relay has an open circuit.

Relays can be had cheap, and wire is also cheap.

Since it's a relatively low draw, you can get your 12v constant for the lights from the battery, and use an interior source for the switch. This won't drain your battery since the relays aren't completing the circuit until the switch tells them to.

Get your switch power from something like the the ashtray light. That is already fused. But you will lose the ashtray light, and running it in parallel might blow the fuse. Or you could tap an empty slot on the fuse box.

Should be pretty simple. With all wiring, you should draw it out on paper, collect materials, and then work through it step by step to prevent mess-ups.

With the setup I described, as long as the car is turned on, you will have fog-light control, and the ability to turn them on/off at your leisure.

[Sarra]

Local radio shack stopped carrying relays, I'll check Napa. thanks. :)