toggle switch for my headlights?
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 330
From: wa
toggle switch for my headlights?
So... i pulled my dash the other day to replace a light bulb and noticed the wires for my fog lights were melted. i've heard this isn't so unusual... so for now i just disconnected them until i get a new switch so i don't accidentally leave the fog lights on for too long and burn my car to the ground. well... maybe not, but at least not ruin anything.
i have these really neat toggle switches (military/aero app.) i was using for my four wheeler... they are rated at like 4 amps 30 volts or so...
the company, Apem, also makes a high amp toggle switch. 15 amps 12 V and 10A 24V. they aren't super cheap, but they are really good switches.
my question is, how many amps actually flow through those wires that go to the fog/head lights? i'm assuming i would want a switch rated higher than the fuse?
thanks!
i have these really neat toggle switches (military/aero app.) i was using for my four wheeler... they are rated at like 4 amps 30 volts or so...
the company, Apem, also makes a high amp toggle switch. 15 amps 12 V and 10A 24V. they aren't super cheap, but they are really good switches.
my question is, how many amps actually flow through those wires that go to the fog/head lights? i'm assuming i would want a switch rated higher than the fuse?
thanks!
6th Gear Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,936
From:
RE: toggle switch for my headlights?
check your fuses to see what the max amperage that it is rated at, I would expect 30 amps.
Melted wiring is NOT common unless you know alot of bad installers. If the system was wired properly there would be no melted wires. You can use a low voltage/current switch to control a relay that WILL allow that much current to be passed. relays are a few bucks at any autoparts store.
Melted wiring is NOT common unless you know alot of bad installers. If the system was wired properly there would be no melted wires. You can use a low voltage/current switch to control a relay that WILL allow that much current to be passed. relays are a few bucks at any autoparts store.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 330
From: wa
RE: toggle switch for my headlights?
well the orig. switch that's in fox bodies was known to melt the fog light wires... i'm assuming too many amps through the switch.
mmm... a relay is a good idea. but how would i hook it up? it's only two wires for the fog lights
fog light + ----------- ---------- +
relay low voltage power souce
fog light - ----------- ---------- -
how to i activate the relay with a low voltage? what power source would i use?
i'll probably stick with the high amp toggle switch... easier to do. lol
mmm... a relay is a good idea. but how would i hook it up? it's only two wires for the fog lights
fog light + ----------- ---------- +
relay low voltage power souce
fog light - ----------- ---------- -
how to i activate the relay with a low voltage? what power source would i use?
i'll probably stick with the high amp toggle switch... easier to do. lol
6th Gear Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,936
From:
RE: toggle switch for my headlights?
I will refer to the terminal numbers for the relay, hope that does not confuse you.
put terminal 85 to ground.
put 86 to your +12v constant
put 87 to +12v constant(high current to drive the lights and fuse this accordingly)
and put 30 to your lights.
Please insulate termanal 87a so that it will not short out and if you want your lights to go off with your key then put terminal 86 to a +12v switched.
put terminal 85 to ground.
put 86 to your +12v constant
put 87 to +12v constant(high current to drive the lights and fuse this accordingly)
and put 30 to your lights.
Please insulate termanal 87a so that it will not short out and if you want your lights to go off with your key then put terminal 86 to a +12v switched.
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