TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Jul 17, 2013 8:14 am

I know there are a few threads out there explaining how to wire a fog light, but I've read them and am still confused.

There's got to be a better way to wire a fog light without the use of a relay and separate switch, no?
I am not an electrical, but if you wanted it tied to the parking light function (small bulb in the headlight housing) couldn't you just simply tap off of that bulb connector at the nearest headlight bucket? Or the low beam wire at the headlight connector?

Anyone have a simple wiring diagram for this or any other 6v fog light installation method?

Wed Jul 17, 2013 8:50 am

Yes, you can wire it to the driving lamps, but take it off where it comes out of the fuse block-just use a piggy back connector . If you want it separate you can take it from there also and run it to a switch and to the fog lamps. See the link; http://www.centralcoastvwclub.com/images/stories/dons64_2.jpg

Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:29 am

Simple and easy is how you bake a cake.... not connect circuits properly

A fog light (or lights) usually uses too many AMPS to simply just tap off the small UNFUSED park lamp circuit. It will overload the circuit and lamp switch.....
...spooooof...
Then if you tap off one (or both) of the low beam circuits.... a similar problem occurs. You have now added a high amp bulb or bulbs to a circuit designed and gauged for one . It usually ends up with dimmer headlamps... and or overloaded cirucuits.
Relays are designed to correct this..... plus you can fuse it seperatly..
They are simple devices that allow the use of a low (control) current to activate a high (load) current.

If you dont want a seperate switch, and dont mind having a fog light on each time you turn the park lamps on.... yes you can use the park lamp circuit, or low beam circuit as the CONTROL for a relay

So what are you really after here.... actual function or simply an accessory that lights up...?

The schematic below is about as simple as it gets using a 5 pole relay. A 4 pole relay is nearly the same, but its minus the 87A terminal.

Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:58 am

Back in my youth I tried the quick and easy approach, and ended up with LESS light out on the road, like VWnut says.

I took the time to wire it right, solder the connectors, adding a relay and fuses, and a new wire from the battery. It was a full day's work but it gave me brighter lights and a non-crispy Bug.

Wed Jul 17, 2013 11:34 am

You guys need to use the new type of bulbs that throw a lot of light and draw hardly any current.

Wed Jul 17, 2013 12:11 pm

Helfen wrote: You guys need to use the new type of bulbs that throw a lot of light and draw hardly any current.

You're right there are more efficient bulbs these days... cant speak of whats available in 6 volt efficient bulbs ...or if they are even available for specific bulb applications, (such as a fog lamp), other than common replacements....... I'd still use a relay to keep the additional load off the switches and original circuits... as for other lighting methods, I personally dont like LED's... (which are not really bulbs). They take something away from the old car character IMO

Wed Jul 17, 2013 1:05 pm

HID retrofits? They have aiming issues (and blind oncoming drivers) if fitted to the old reflectors and lenses. Not legal on the highway, either (though we lack inspectoins in Cali). They save about half the current demand.

LEDs... I haven't tried them, but based on the high failure rate I see on traffic light retrofits, I have my doubts. Lots less power but even more difficulties trying to get a decent pattern.

It's not rocket science to add a relay and fuse and a few wires.

Wed Jul 17, 2013 8:32 pm

VOLKSWAGNUT wrote: Simple and easy is how you bake a cake.... not connect circuits properly

A fog light (or lights) usually uses too many AMPS to simply just tap off the small UNFUSED park lamp circuit. It will overload the circuit and lamp switch.....
...spooooof...
Then if you tap off one (or both) of the low beam circuits.... a similar problem occurs. You have now added a high amp bulb or bulbs to a circuit designed and gauged for one . It usually ends up with dimmer headlamps... and or overloaded cirucuits.
Relays are designed to correct this..... plus you can fuse it seperatly..
They are simple devices that allow the use of a low (control) current to activate a high (load) current.

If you dont want a seperate switch, and dont mind having a fog light on each time you turn the park lamps on.... yes you can use the park lamp circuit, or low beam circuit as the CONTROL for a relay

So what are you really after here.... actual function or simply an accessory that lights up...?

The schematic below is about as simple as it gets using a 5 pole relay. A 4 pole relay is nearly the same, but its minus the 87A terminal.

Ok, you got me :)

I'd like to run a switch and a relay. Seems to be the smartest thing to do. Questions:

1. Where do I get a relay? What's the spec?
2. What specific fuse do I run?
3. What wire do I run? Amp?
4. What does that circuit look like?

Do you accept the challenge?! :)

Thu Jul 18, 2013 5:23 am

Hard to give specs when you dont give any for your lamp.... but that can be worked around..
Exact specs would really depend on how many Amps the fog light (or lights)
uses..??

If the lamp uses 20 amps or less and if you plan to use a seperate switch... a relay may not even be needed....
:?

Then its a simple... connect and route a fused voltage circuit to an on/off switch of your choice and mounting, route a load circuit to the lamp...The lamp will either have a seperate grounding wire, or grounds through the base.. Flip switch and enjoy...
16 or 14 gauge wire, a 20 amp fuse mounted close to the voltage supply and a 20 amp rated switch, should do the trick..

Hopefully you found the topic below when you searched...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=535278

Thu Jul 18, 2013 6:19 am

VOLKSWAGNUT wrote: Hard to give specs when you dont give any for your lamp.... but that can be worked around..
Exact specs would really depend on how many Amps the fog light (or lights)
uses..??

If the lamp uses 20 amps or less and if you plan to use a seperate switch... a relay may not even be needed....
:?

Then its a simple... connect and route a fused voltage circuit to an on/off switch of your choice and mounting, route a load circuit to the lamp...The lamp will either have a seperate grounding wire, or grounds through the base.. Flip switch and enjoy...
16 or 14 gauge wire, a 20 amp fuse mounted close to the voltage supply and a 20 amp rated switch, should do the trick..

Hopefully you found the topic below when you searched...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=535278

Turning on my fog lamps draw less than three amps and is nothing to what the headlamps do when turned on.....those really make the amp gauge move!

Thu Jul 18, 2013 7:37 am

Helfen wrote:
Turning on my fog lamps draw less than three amps and is nothing to what the headlamps do when turned on.....those really make the amp gauge move!

Well..... in your case.. you KNOW how many AMPs your fog lamps use...

Not all fog lamps (lamps in general) are created equal... The average ole' fog lamp bulb will use 3-5 amps. If you use 2 that current demand doubles. Use halogen, generic super watt, KC Hilites, or some other type of aircraft landing lamps, and the amperage goes way up... Its always best to know what you have, and what it demands for amp consumption before circuits are created....
Im just trying to give good general average information that can be used by anyone that drops by this post ....HOPEFULLY after searching...

Thu Jul 18, 2013 10:27 am

I did this a few years ago. Yes, use a relay for all the reasons mentioned. Mine is in a 12v car...I believe I used 12g wire. I didn't want those heavy chrome mounting brackets so I made my own using stock VW bumper supports. I wanted a dedicated switch so I bent a piece of flat bar put a hole to mount it with same screw used by steering collar and put simple switch in it. I'm sure I put a inline fuse in. Took some time, but worth it.

Thu Jul 18, 2013 11:10 am

Hmmm... 3 amps, 6 volts... this is an 18 watt lamp. More like brake or turn signal bulb. Hardly worth the effort. Typical H3 foglamps are 55 watts each.

A pair of 55W lamps is 110W, or about 20A for a 6V car. Definitely relay- and fuse-worthy!

Thu Jul 18, 2013 12:09 pm

KTPhil wrote: Hmmm... 3 amps, 6 volts... this is an 18 watt lamp. More like brake or turn signal bulb. Hardly worth the effort. Typical H3 foglamps are 55 watts each.

A pair of 55W lamps is 110W, or about 20A for a 6V car. Definitely relay- and fuse-worthy!

Yeah...^ Thats my exact thought as well.
15-20 amps is the max Id want go on seperate switch... and even thats a stretch IMO. Most cheapo switches are only rated at 15amps...

I agree a relay is best, but not always needed... It all depends on the amps..

The amp answer lies with the post starter....

In the mean time.... here is a modifed version of a popular basic fog lamp diagram using a relay..

Thu Jul 18, 2013 2:16 pm

this last diagram is the one I used...make sure all circuits are fuse protected as in diagram... I use automotive wire from O'Reilly's the covering on the wire seems tougher than the cheap radio shack stuff...I got the relay and switch at radio shack. Make sure wire size is adequate for amps and distance http://www.amplepower.com/primer/gauge/ use soldered connections or good quality crimped connectors don't do the twist & tape crap. Neatly done secure wiring is best. Run wires to minimize chances it will later get accidentally cut or severed.

Kim

Thu Jul 18, 2013 3:17 pm

Helfen wrote: VOLKSWAGNUT wrote: Hard to give specs when you dont give any for your lamp.... but that can be worked around..
Exact specs would really depend on how many Amps the fog light (or lights)
uses..??

If the lamp uses 20 amps or less and if you plan to use a seperate switch... a relay may not even be needed....
:?

Then its a simple... connect and route a fused voltage circuit to an on/off switch of your choice and mounting, route a load circuit to the lamp...The lamp will either have a seperate grounding wire, or grounds through the base.. Flip switch and enjoy...
16 or 14 gauge wire, a 20 amp fuse mounted close to the voltage supply and a 20 amp rated switch, should do the trick..

Hopefully you found the topic below when you searched...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=535278

Turning on my fog lamps draw less than three amps and is nothing to what the headlamps do when turned on.....those really make the amp gauge move!

They are sure bright at less than three amps---I'm guessing here because the needle barely moves on my amp gauge. Definitely not like when the headlamps are turned on.

Thu Jul 18, 2013 4:36 pm

Depends on how your ammeter and foglamps are wired. Since neither came with the car, a PO might have been "creative" and not wired it to include ALL current consumption, especially any accesories added later.

A 3W bulb will be cosmetic at best, unless it's some new LED type.

Thu Jul 18, 2013 6:44 pm

KTPhil wrote: Depends on how your ammeter and foglamps are wired. Since neither came with the car, a PO might have been "creative" and not wired it to include ALL current consumption, especially any accesories added later.

A 3W bulb will be cosmetic at best, unless it's some new LED type.

Yes, you guessed it LED and I bought the car from the original owner via his neighbor thirty nine years ago and the only thing he did to the car was put a KD engine in it in 1965. A painful lesson to people who don't know driving and maintenance procedures for air cooled VW's.

Thu Jul 18, 2013 8:51 pm

I almost think this post should be a sticky. I have wondered about all of this, too.

Wed Aug 07, 2013 11:33 pm

VOLKSWAGNUT wrote: KTPhil wrote: Hmmm... 3 amps, 6 volts... this is an 18 watt lamp. More like brake or turn signal bulb. Hardly worth the effort. Typical H3 foglamps are 55 watts each.

A pair of 55W lamps is 110W, or about 20A for a 6V car. Definitely relay- and fuse-worthy!

Yeah...^ Thats my exact thought as well.
15-20 amps is the max Id want go on seperate switch... and even thats a stretch IMO. Most cheapo switches are only rated at 15amps...

I agree a relay is best, but not always needed... It all depends on the amps..

The amp answer lies with the post starter....

In the mean time.... here is a modifed version of a popular basic fog lamp diagram using a relay..

Well, based on Volkswagnut's easy to read diagrams I think I've been able to acquire what I need to get the light to light up :) Here's the list of what I've picked up and the specs. I hope Volkswagnut is out there and can take a peek at my specs to make sure I didn't get anything that will explode ;)

1. Relay - Sumeng, JD1912, 12V, 40A (It said it would work with both 6v and 12v)
2. Inline Fuse Holder - 12/24VDC Mini Blade, 30A
3. Mini Blade Fuses - 32VDC, 30A
4. Inline Fuse Holder - 250VAC, 10A, holds 1 1/4" x 1/4" fuses
5. 1 1/4" x 1/4" fuses - 250V, 5A
6. Switch - DPDT Heavy Duty, 3A @ 125VAC, 1.5A @ 250VAC