Fog lights - experiences with wiring?

[Speedy88]

Ok I've got some larvly spotlights on the way from VND which I'll be mounting asap. My initial plan is to wire up a simple circuit between them, the battery and a new switch which I'll install in the spare switch slots in front of the gear stick. I know many people just wire it up to the main beam circuit. I want to know what your experiences of doing this job have been, obviously the main beam idea is easier but how easy is it? My main reasons connecting it up to a separate switch are that main beam usually messes up vision in fog, working against the front fog lights.

[Chris_C]

No, bad Speedy!

Fog's should go off with main beam, not on. I drew up a highly technical thingy in paint a while ago for Tom, I'll see if I can find it.

Would you like a proper 360GLT foglamp switch to go in the centre console?

[trabitom99]

Here's Chris's diagram, a bit further down in the thread:
http://www.volvo300mania.com/forum-uk/v ... f=5&t=7286

Good luck with getting them fitted! There's nothing like more light on a dingy day

Cheers

Tom

[Speedy88]

Hey that switch would be cool, I'm a real sucker for "correct" stuff.

But what if I want to use the fogs as extra light when I have to main beam it down lanes? In fact, why DO fogs go off with main beam as standard? I'm guessing I'd be breaking some highway code or something eh?

[Chris_C]

Main beam in fog creates a beam of solid light (for want of a better set of words, basically there are so many tiny droplets all of which reflect the light you get what looks to be a solid beam) which is pretty useless for seeing anything through. For what fog's are supposed to do (light the road in the gap between the road and the fog, and also light from an angle further away from your eyes so you don't get the above reflections) having main beam on just breaks the job.

The other way round though is a bit different, having fogs on with mains when going down lanes provides a bit more light but in not hugely useful places. Generally in the kerb near the car.

However, whether a light is a fog or a spot or a driving lamp doesnt depend on where you put it, it depends on the lens. Those you got from VND were spots I think? In which case they will have a pencil shaped beam rather than a spread beam of a foglamp, and hence should be on with mains and not used as fogs. Looks at the works quattros, they had 3 lamps each side, each with a different lens to do a different thing.

[Speedy88]

Educational! Despite them being spots I might keep them on a separate switch so I can have them on without main beam. 90% of their usage will be for visibility/show anyway. Unless, of course, I get a rally licence sorted

[Chris_C]

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/electric/et205a.htm

Explains it better than I just did.

If they are spots or driving lights, they'll work lots better higher up :p Function over looks!

[Speedy88]

Noted, I'll let you know.

[trabitom99]

Just as a side note, my GLT came with fogs from the factory, and they switch off when you turn the main beam on. On my GLi I retro-fitted them - even though all I did was add a relay and "plug and play" the foglamps they don't go off with main beam ...

Tom