If you are looking to increase your visibility while driving in foggy conditions, adding a set of fog lights may be the perfect solution.
Fog lights can help you see further ahead and make it easier to navigate through dense fog. When adding fog lights to your vehicle, many people choose to wire them directly to the battery.
This can result in several problems, such as draining the battery when the fog lights are not in use. A better option is to use a relay to power the fog lights.
This will help conserve battery power and ensure that your fog lights are always available when you need them. In this article, we will show you how to wire fog lights with relay. So read on for more information.
Summary: Wiring fog lights with a relay is an effective way to ensure that they operate safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of overloading the vehicle’s electrical system. Before beginning the wiring process, gather the necessary tools and materials, including a fog light relay, a fog light switch, a fuse holder, wire connectors, and electrical tape. Make sure the power is turned off and the vehicle’s battery is disconnected to avoid the risk of electrical shock or damage to the vehicle.
To wire fog lights with a relay, start by mounting the relay in a suitable location, typically near the vehicle’s battery. Connect the fog lights to the relay by running a wire from the positive terminal of each fog light to the corresponding terminal on the relay, usually labeled “87” or “30.” Next, connect a wire from the vehicle’s battery positive terminal to the relay’s positive input, often labeled “30” or “87A.” Insert an inline fuse holder into this wire to provide additional protection. Run another wire from the negative terminal of the fog lights to a suitable ground point on the vehicle’s chassis.
Now, wire the fog light switch by connecting a wire from the relay’s negative input, typically labeled “85,” to one terminal
What Does a Fog Light Relay Do?
A fog light relay is used to power the fog lights on a vehicle. The relay allows the fog lights to be turned on and off without having to touch the lights themselves physically.
This is useful in situations where the driver may need to turn the fog lights on and off frequently, such as when driving in and out of tunnels or in and out of the dense fog.
The relay is usually located in the engine bay, near the battery. It consists of a switch controlled by the vehicle’s headlight switch.
When the headlight switch is turned on, the relay switch is also turned on, which powers the fog lights. Likewise, when the headlight switch is turned off, the relay switch is also turned off, which powers off the fog lights.
What Are the Advantages You Get Wiring Fog Lights With Relay?
There are several advantages to wiring your fog lights with relay. One of the biggest benefits is that it can help conserve battery power.
If you wire your fog lights directly to the battery, they will remain on as long as the switch is in the ON position. This can quickly drain your battery, especially if you forget to turn off your fog lights.
When you wire fog lights with the relay, the current from the battery is only used when the relay is activated. This means your battery will not be drained when your fog lights are not in use.
Another advantage of wiring your fog lights with relay is that it can help protect your fog light bulbs from damage.
If you wire your fog lights directly to the battery, they will be constantly exposed to the full electrical current. This can cause the bulbs to overheat and eventually burn out.
When you wire your fog lights with a relay, the electrical current is only sent to the bulbs when the relay is activated. This protects the bulb from damage caused by constant exposure to the full electrical current.
Step by Step Instructions: How to Wire Fog Lights With Relay
Step 1: Find a Suitable Location.
The first step is to find a suitable location for your fog lights. You will need to mount the fog lights in a location that will allow them to be pointed toward the ground. Many people choose to mount their fog lights on the bumper of their vehicles.
You can also mount them on the grille or the roof. If your vehicle does not have a suitable location for mounting the fog lights, you may need to purchase a set of aftermarket fog light brackets.
Step 2: Install the Fog Lights.
Once you have found a suitable location for your fog lights, the next step is to install them. If you are installing aftermarket fog lights, you will need to follow the instructions that came with your lights.
You will likely need to drill holes in your vehicle to mount the brackets. Once the brackets are in place, you can attach the fog lights.
If you are installing factory fog lights, the process is much simpler. Most vehicles will already have the necessary mounting holes and brackets in place.
Step 3: Attach the Wiring Harness.
The next step is to attach the wiring harness to your fog lights. This is a simple process, as most fog lights will come with a pre-attached wire harness.
If your fog lights do not have a pre-attached wire harness, you can easily find one at your local auto parts store.
Attach the wiring harness to the fog light using the provided screws or bolts. Ensure the connection is secure, and there is no chance of the connection coming loose.
Step 4: Install the Fuse.
The next step is to install the fuse for your fog lights. Most fog light kits will have a fuse that must be installed in your vehicle’s main fuse block.
This fuse will protect your vehicle’s electrical system from any potential damage that the fog lights could cause. If your fog light kit does not come with a fuse, you can purchase one at any auto parts store.
Step 5: Find a Power Source.
You will need to find a power source for your fog lights. The best power source to use is your vehicle’s battery. You can find this by tracing the positive (+) terminal wire from your fog lights.
Once you have found the positive terminal, you will need to attach the wire to the correct terminal on your battery. You mustn’t attach the wire to the negative (-) terminal, as this could cause serious damage to your vehicle’s electrical system.
Step 6: Connect the Power Source with Fuse.
Once the fuse is in place, the next step is to connect the power source to your fog lights. You will need to run a wire from the positive terminal of your battery to the fuse block.
Once the wire is in place, you can screw or bolt the connection. Again, ensure the connection is secure, and there is no chance of losing it.
Step 7: Connect the Other End of Fuse with Switch.
Now, you will need to connect the other end of the fuse to your switch. Most fog light kits will come with a switch that must be installed in your vehicle’s cabin.
Take the end of the fuse that is not connected to the relay and connect it to the switch. This will allow power to flow from the battery to the switch and the fog lights.
Step 8: Ground the Other End of Switch.
Now you need to ground the other end of the switch. This will complete the circuit and allow power to flow to the fog lights.
Find a bare metal surface on your vehicle, and use a self-tapping screw to attach the ground wire. Once the connection is secure, tuck the excess wire away so it doesn’t touch any hot surfaces.
Step 9: Attach Wires to Relay Terminal.
After grounding the switch, attach the wires to the relay terminal. Most fog light kits will come with a pre-wired relay. If your kit does not come with a relay, you can purchase one at any auto parts store.
The relay will have four terminals: two for the power source, one for the switch, and one for the ground.
The power source wires will be connected to the battery, and the switch wire will be connected to the switch. Finally, the ground wire will be connected to a bare metal surface on your vehicle.
Step 10: Cover All Exposed Wires.
Now that all of the wires are in place, you need to cover any exposed wires. This will protect the wires from any potential damage.
You can use electrical tape or a wire loom to cover the exposed wires. Be sure to cover all of the connections and tuck any excess wire away so it doesn’t touch any hot surfaces.
Step 11: Test Your Fog Lights.
Finally, test your fog lights to ensure they are working properly. Turn on your vehicle’s ignition, and flip the switch for your fog lights.
If the lights come on, you successfully installed your fog lights. If the lights do not come on, check all of the connections to ensure they are secure.
Also, check the fuse to ensure it is working properly. If the fuse is blown, replace it with a new one. And that’s it! You’ve now successfully wired your fog lights.
Read Also: How to Wire Led Light Bar Without Relay
Few Tips to Maintain Your Fog Lights
1. Check the lights regularly. You should check your fog lights at least once a month to ensure that they are in good working condition.
2. Clean the lights. Over time, fog lights can become dirty and obscured. Make sure to clean them regularly to ensure that they are providing optimal visibility.
3. Replace bulbs as needed. Over time, the bulbs in your fog lights can burn out. Therefore, it is important to replace them promptly to maintain optimal visibility when this occurs.
4. Check the wiring. Occasionally, the wiring for your fog lights can become damaged. This can cause the lights to malfunction. Be sure to check the wiring regularly and replace it if necessary.
5. Keep an eye on the fuse. The fuse for your fog lights is located in the engine compartment. If this fuse blows, the fog lights will not work. So be sure to check the fuse regularly and replace it if necessary.
6. Adjust the lights as needed. Depending on the conditions, you may need to adjust the angle of your fog lights. This can be done by loosening the screws that hold the light in place and adjusting it to the desired position.
Conclusion
When wiring fog lights with a relay, it’s important to ensure you have all the necessary supplies and understand how to wire the relay.
The instructions we’ve outlined in this post are a general guide, so consult your vehicle’s specific wiring diagram to ensure you’re following the correct steps.
If you have any questions or run into any problems while wiring your fog lights, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
We hope you found this post on how to wire fog lights with relay helpful and that it will give you the confidence to tackle this project on your own.
With the right instructions and a little bit of patience, you should be able to have your fog lights up and running in no time. Have fun installing those new fog lights!