Factory fog light circuit utilization

[terryjm1]

Another post made me think about adding these lights. I’ve had them in a tote for years. I cant even recall where I picked them up, likely in a box of spares that came with one of the Land Rovers. They are Hella 1000 lights.

I put together a harness and wired them to the factory fog light circuit.

im hopeful they give me a little better view of wildlife considering crossing the road.

I’m no expert in this area. Any tip?

 

[luckyjoe]

Terry,

Similar install on my RRC a few years ago - Hella 4000’s on an ARB. I cleaned & refurbished the light housings, new wiring, bulbs, and wired them to the factory dash fog switch. I only changed the power and feed sources at the switch, then labeled the originals in case the next owner wants to go back to stock.

 

[terryjm1]

I was a little concerned about the factory wiring handling the load but the gauge of the wire seems adequate. Im also considering going with LED bulbs to assure the factory wiring is adequate.

On that point, anyone know of an LED replacement for the halogens?

 

[luckyjoe]

My factory wiring only sees the trigger voltage for the light's separate harness with power delivered through a relay. I prefer halogen bulbs in the old reflector housings. You can get nice 50W and 100W bulbs in yellow too!

 

[terryjm1]

My factory wiring only sees the trigger voltage for the light's separate harness with power delivered through a relay. I prefer halogen bulbs in the old reflector housings. You can get nice 50W and 100W bulbs in yellow too!

To save me from looking it up, did the factory use a relay for their fog lights? If no, I guess I’d be safe as long as I stick with the same wattage as the factory fog lights.

Edit… after thinking on it a bit I would be very surprised if they were not on a relay.

 

[StangGT5]

My factory wiring only sees the trigger voltage for the light's separate harness with power delivered through a relay. I prefer halogen bulbs in the old reflector housings. You can get nice 50W and 100W bulbs in yellow too!

This is how I wire them, splicing the factory connector to trigger a relay. The relay will get it's power straight off the battery with an inline fuse.

You can get pretty decent light bar/ fog light wiring kits off Summit or Amazon in 14 or 12 AWG.

I prefer LED lights, so I put LED bulbs in the 9.75" Lightforces on my RRC. I ended up not liking them because the beam is kind of weak.

I'd also think the stock D1 harness has a relay for fog lights. I just prefer thicker aftermarket wiring with a direct line to the battery. It produces the best output.

 

[robertf]

I used the factory fog light wiring on mine, but moved the low beam tap to running lights (glove box door wiring) like a ROW disco

 

[luckyjoe]

To save me from looking it up, did the factory use a relay for their fog lights? If no, I guess I’d be safe as long as I stick with the same wattage as the factory fog lights.

Edit… after thinking on it a bit I would be very surprised if they were not on a relay.

Not sure on the stock fog circuit, but would think there is a relay. I went with a separate harness due to 200W and changed the switch tap/feed to high beam.