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Joined: November 19, 2017
Posts: 673
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 Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 5:23 pm Post subject: Best "tap" for fog lights |
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Installed some fog lights on an 82 westy
looking where to power them up
there is a 12awg wire (red) that looks like it might be the fuse block feed
Is this the case?
Would like to tap into it if so
TIA
T
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82 westy
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2.5 JDM Subie
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Vanagon Nut
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Joined: February 08, 2008
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Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:06 pm Post subject: Re: Best "tap" for fog lights |
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Trace (follow) where that red #12 wire goes. It might be a supply wire from fuse panel to kitchen equipment.
Bentley diagram shows a #8 supply wire from battery to fuse panel.
If you carefully lower the fuse panel, at the forward side of it, you might find a spare open male connector that is B+ aka "always on". It might be ok to run a new fused supply wire from there. But...
Would the added fog light load increase the total potential amount of Amps going through that #8 supply wire from battery higher than what it's rated for? But, i doubt that's an issue. Especially if fog lights are LED type. (do they exist?).
On my '81, for the fog lights, I ran a new fused wire from the battery positive post to a relay in front of the glove box area. The fuse is in the battery box, which isn't ideal if it ever blows, but it's not too hard to get at. I installed a spare Vanagon defog switch at the blank spot in instrument cluster to control the relay.
Neil.
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jimf909 
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Joined: April 03, 2014
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:13 pm Post subject: Re: Best "tap" for fog lights |
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| Vanagon Nut wrote: |
On my '81, for the fog lights, I ran a new fused wire from the battery positive post to a relay...
Neil. |
This is exactly what I have for fog lights and a Stebel Nautilus (loud) horn. I routed the wires out the vent that exits into the front wheel well.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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Red Ryder
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Joined: June 26, 2021
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Location: Northern California
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| Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2021 8:31 am Post subject: Re: Best "tap" for fog lights |
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Yep. Just ran a pair (+ and -) 10 gauge wires from my battery terminals to a new fuse block installed behind the glovebox. Now I have 6 new potential circuits that are isolated from the factory fuse block. Perfect location to take power for fog or driving lights. I can insert proper amp fuses for each circuit as needed depending on the load.
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PDXWesty
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| Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:24 am Post subject: Re: Best "tap" for fog lights |
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Your fog lights are 50-55w each? Adding those to an existing circuit would most likely overload it. Tap into one of the 12v terminals on the fuse block, or like others have mentioned, direct to the battery. In all cases you should use a relay to power the lights.
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space
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Joined: November 19, 2017
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| Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 3:19 pm Post subject: Re: Best "tap" for fog lights |
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| PDXWesty wrote: |
| Your fog lights are 50-55w each? Adding those to an existing circuit would most likely overload it. Tap into one of the 12v terminals on the fuse block, or like others have mentioned, direct to the battery. In all cases you should use a relay to power the lights. |
Why a relay?
To lessen the load on the switch?
T
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Steve M.
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Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 3:52 pm Post subject: Re: Best "tap" for fog lights |
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| space wrote: |
| PDXWesty wrote: |
| Your fog lights are 50-55w each? Adding those to an existing circuit would most likely overload it. Tap into one of the 12v terminals on the fuse block, or like others have mentioned, direct to the battery. In all cases you should use a relay to power the lights. |
Why a relay?
To lessen the load on the switch? |
Exactly. Not only that, but you can run a smaller diameter wire to the switch where as a thicker wire might not fit because of everything being crowded under the dash.r
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Captain Pike
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Location: Talos IV, Piedmont Arizona
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| Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 3:59 pm Post subject: Re: Best "tap" for fog lights |
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I never tap, Any new power supply is a new circuit. Fuse on the +. Established ground.
Your gonna fuck up and burn up another Vanagon.
Lights need AMPs.
Relay that shit.
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