Fog lights are designed to form a flat and wide beam of light directed above the road surface. This direction of the light beam allows minimizing the illumination of the volume of fog in thickness and improves visibility from the driver's seat. Failure to follow the rules and wiring diagrams for fog lights when installing them yourself can lead to accidents.
[ Hide ]
Requirements for installing foglights
It is allowed to place fog lamps directly in the headlights.
The rules for installing headlights are regulated by two regulations:
- GOST 8769-75 or CMEA standard 4122-83;
- the state standard of the Russian Federation GOST R 41.48-2004, corresponding to the UNECE Rules No. 48.
The generalized requirements are as follows:
- The installation site is located at a distance of not more than 400 mm from the side surface of the vehicle body. The distance is measured between the side plane and the outer side of the headlamp.
- Only two fog lamps are allowed. The standards separately stipulate the mandatory installation of fog lights on tourist buses, as well as on vehicles operated on mountain roads.
- The lower edge of the fog lamp is located at a distance of at least 250 mm from the road surface.
- Fog lights must have a horizontal viewing angle of +15º to -10º and a vertical viewing angle of +45º to -10º. It is unacceptable to obstruct the headlights with vehicle parts within the specified angles.
- Fog lights must be connected in parallel with the side lights.
- Fog lamp lenses must give a beam of light located below the flux given by dipped beam lamps.
- It is acceptable to use transparent light filters or selective yellow. It is unacceptable to use glasses of different colors on the same car.
The standards do not have special requirements for installing fog lights on a car, so the owner can install their kit on their own.
What do you need to install fog lights?
For self-installation of fog lights, a minimum set of tools is required. The owner of the car must have knowledge and skills in working with electrical wiring, since the safety of the car as a whole depends on the correct installation.
Set of tools:
- colored electrical circuit of the car;
- wire cutters or side cutters;
- knife for cleaning wires;
- pliers for crimping terminals (terminal block);
- soldering iron.
A set of materials required for installation:
- a set of fog lights suitable for installation in regular holes in the bumper or universal, which are mounted on the surface of the bumper;
- stranded copper wire with a cross section of 1.5-2 mm² with insulation capable of operating at low temperatures and resistant to gasoline and oil vapors;
- relay for switching on (usually standard headlight switching relays from front-wheel drive VAZ models are used);
- remote housing for installing a knife fuse;
- blade fuse 30 A;
- a control key that matches the interior design (preferably with a backlight);
- connectors and terminals for connecting wires with circuit elements;
- heat shrink tubing of suitable diameter;
- electrical tape on a polyethylene or cloth basis;
- plastic ties;
- automotive corrugated sleeve for laying wires.
Set of fog lights for Ford Focus 3 Wiring diagram
For installation, two fog lamp connection schemes are possible:
- parallel;
- consistent.
When connected in parallel, the positive wire goes to each headlight from the relay contact. The relay is powered by a 15 A fuse-link, which is enough for most fog lamps. The fuse should preferably be placed as close to the battery terminal as possible.
Signal voltage +12V should only appear when the ignition is active. This event eliminates the possibility of headlights when the engine is off. If desired, the headlights can be automatically ignited after the ignition is switched on. To do this, the signal wire is connected to the battery charge warning lamp installed in the instrument cluster. The button must be in the on state.
Parallel connection Serial connection reduces the current consumption and the brightness of the lamps. A similar scheme is used to use foglights instead of standard headlights.
Serial connection Connecting additional headlights through a relay is demonstrated in a video tutorial from the AUTOELECTRICA - Steel Horse channel.
How to install and connect with your own hands?
Installing fog lights on your own begins with the development of a wiring diagram. A properly designed circuit avoids unnecessary wires and ensures reliable operation of the electrical circuit. Installation work is recommended to be done in the garage, although many owners install outdoors.
Installing PTF in the front bumper and tuning
There are three installation methods:
- in regular openings;
- on the outer bracket;
- in a blank bumper not designed for headlights.
Customization is done using a self-made template, presented below. The template is installed perpendicularly at a distance of 5 m from the headlights of the car. Adjustment is made until the top edge of the light spot coincides. The coincidence line is located 100 mm below the height of the center of the lamps.
An example of a customization template Adjusting the fog lights improves visibility for the driver and reduces the risk of glare to oncoming traffic.
Installing PTF in a blank bumper
The most difficult and time-consuming option is to install fog lights in a blank bumper (that is, without factory holes for this):
- Dismantle the bumper from the car in accordance with the instructions for repair and operation.
- Determine the optimal location for headlights in terms of body shape and compliance with regulations.
- Make a hole for the lights. The best way is to drill holes around the perimeter and saw through the gaps with a file. The hole has to be adjusted to ensure proper fit between the case and the decorative frame. Small fragments of the bumper are carefully cut off with a construction or clerical knife.
- Drill holes for the fog lamp housing, which is attached with suitable bolts.
- Install the headlight in the housing and mount the protective cover. She clings to the plastic bumper.
- You can adjust the headlight using a special key included in the kit.
PTF installation on an external bracket
Mounting option for foglights on a steel bracket:
- Mark the mounting points of the bracket on the bumper in accordance with the requirements for the installation of fog lamps. As a rule, additional headlights are installed on the bracket.
- Screw the bracket to the bumper with screws or bolts.
- Install the fog lights on the mounting points, connect the wiring.
Installation of PTF in regular openings
In order to put the headlights in a bumper that has standard plugs, you must:
- Raise the front of the car by placing a wooden block 150-200 mm high under the wheels. For greater convenience, you can install the car on a lift.
- Remove the protective shields covering the lower part of the bumper.
- Unscrew the fasteners of the standard bumper plugs.
- Insert the fog lamp into the guides and fix with regular screws. When using non-original headlights, the dimensions and attachment points may not match. In this case, you have to adjust the parts to each other. Below is a photo gallery of installing Chinese foglights in the Hyundai Elantra HD bumper.
Wiring broach
When pulling and installing wiring, you must follow the safety rules:
- disconnect the battery;
- the cross section of the wire must correspond to the conducted current;
- connection points must have reliable contact;
- only wires of the same material can be connected (to reduce electrochemical corrosion);
- it is desirable to shed twists with solder;
- the joints of the wires are insulated with a heat shrink tube or electrical tape;
- avoid placing wiring connections in places prone to flooding with water;
- to protect against bending and rubbing, it is recommended to protect them with a split corrugated tube;
- wires are laid parallel to standard harnesses and fixed to them with plastic ties;
- the power supply circuit of the fog lights must be protected by an individual fuse;
- when laying the wire, make sure that there are no hot or moving elements in the way, as well as sharp edges.
Failure to safely install electrical wiring leads to overheating of the circuits and a fire that can destroy the car.
Wiring and headlight testing
Approximate wiring sequence:
- Carry out preliminary installation of wires to the fog lamp connectors.
- Pass the wires inside the bumper through the corrugated tube.
- Remove the negative leads from the fog lights and attach to the body. It is advisable to use the regular mass bolts available on the front spars.
- Remove the front wheel and fender liner (alternately).
- Decide on the location of the relay. A relay must be used without fail, since direct switching of the lamps by a switch will quickly burn out the contacts. The relay can be placed in a free place in the standard mounting block or anywhere in the instrument panel.
- Since fog lights must work in conjunction with side lights, the connection is made from the size block. Below are photos of the wiring connection process on a passenger Volkswagen Polo Sedan.
Installation of the PTF switch
The most common method of turning on fog lights is a button installed in a regular place or at any other point within the driver's reach. Regular places for buttons are closed with removable plugs, occasionally they are covered with the material of the instrument panel. In this case, it is required to cut a hole corresponding to the dimensions of the button body.
A separate item worth considering is the installation of a steering column switch unit equipped with a rotary fog lamp switch. A special tool may be required to complete the job - Torx screwdrivers and a special key for the steering wheel center bolt.
To connect the steering column switch, follow these steps:
- Loosen the fasteners of the two halves of the decorative casing of the steering column.
- Separate the parts, overcoming the resistance of the clamps. When disassembling, be careful not to break the plastic latches.
- Next, you need to remove the steering column switch, which can be dismantled without removing the steering wheel or with removal. In the first case, it is enough to bend the spring clip, remove the lever and disconnect the connector. After that, another switch is placed and the removed parts are installed in place. In the second case, the removal of the steering wheel and airbag (if any) is required. The method of removing the cushion is different for each model. The part to be removed must be supported, as it can come off the fasteners and break the wiring harness.
- After removing the pillow, you need to unscrew the central bolt securing the steering wheel.
- Remove the steering wheel, disconnect the plugs from the steering column switch.
- Loosen a few screws securing the switch and remove it from the speaker.
- Install new assembly and reassemble. When installing the steering wheel, it is necessary to monitor the correct position of the spokes of the steering wheel and the front wheels. The central bolt must be tightened to the recommended torque.
- Connect the power and check the operation of the switch block.
An example of installing a new steering column switch lever on a Hyundai Solaris car.
On some vehicles of European brands, the fog lamps are switched by a rotary switch located on the instrument panel. When installing headlights on such a car, it is required to bring the wires from the lamps to the plug and install a light switch with a fog control function.
Video
The wiring diagram for installing fog lights is shown in the video filmed for the Car Lover channel.
For safe driving in adverse weather conditions, the car is equipped with fog lights. Devices can be installed with your own hands, and it is not necessary to have special equipment or tools. To get the most out of these optics, it is important not only to install correctly, but also to connect and then adjust the lighting. It happens that the bulbs in the PTFs need to be changed. This is also easy to learn.
What is PTF and their purpose
Modern cars in their equipment have a large number of lighting devices. We are talking not only about head optics, but also about fog lights (PTF, fog lights). To understand what this lighting element is intended for, you need to understand in more detail what PTFs are, what requirements are placed on them, how to install and configure them correctly.
Fog lights are external vehicle lighting devices that are used as auxiliary optics. One of the main purposes of PTF is to provide visibility in adverse weather conditions (snow, fog, rain). This lighting element can emit both white and yellow light. It is important to know that the light tone of both headlights must be the same. Fog lights are not necessarily additional lighting, since they can be located both on the bumper of the car and in the head optics.
If we compare the light of the PTF with the light of ordinary lamps, then the lamps in the head optics cannot provide sufficient illumination in difficult weather conditions. This is due to the fact that the rays of the near or far light are reflected from small drops of water. As a result, the driver sees a white veil in front of him, which worsens visibility on the road and affects traffic safety. Fog lights shine with a wide horizontal beam of light, while the roadside is highlighted, which is especially important in areas with a large number of turns. It is worth adding that the light from the PTF in bad weather allows you to make the car on the road more visible to other road users.
Fog lights are essential equipment for safe driving in adverse weather conditions.
Fog lamp connection options
If you are puzzled by the question of installing foglights on your car, you first need to find out what are the ways to connect this equipment. A simple and reliable installation option is to connect to the car's factory wiring, designed to power the PTF. This method has a number of advantages, since the circuit already has all the necessary elements, such as a relay, fuse, wiring, switch. In this case, you only need to install and connect the headlights. If the car does not have additional power circuits for connecting the PTF, you will need to lay the necessary wires and connect the missing elements.
One of the most common mistakes is connecting foglights to the dimensions. The cross section of the wire and the switch are not designed for such a load.
Such a detail as a fuse is not at all superfluous in the power supply circuit of fog optics. This element will prevent fire in the event of a short circuit in the car's wiring. Since fuses come in different ratings, it is necessary to calculate the required value, taking into account the power of the lamps in the headlights, using the following formula:
I=P/U, where I is the current strength, P is the load power and U is the on-board network voltage.
Consider the calculation on the example of a car with a 12 V battery and foglights with a total power of 120 W (60 W each): 120/12 = 10 A. It is important to remember that the fuse should always be chosen with a margin. In our case, we need an element with a nominal value of 15 A.
To connect foglights, you will need elements such as the headlights themselves, wires, relays, a switch and fuses. This list may vary depending on the vehicle configuration.
Fog lights wiring diagrams
There are several connection schemes, as well as methods. The simplest is to power the headlights directly from the battery through the switch. Each headlight has two pins that are electrically connected to the bulbs inside. One of the contacts of the headlight is connected to the contact of the other headlight and connected to ground (body). It is best to use factory bolts on the body. You can stretch the wire to the battery and take the "-" from it. Other PTF contacts are used to connect “+”, which is also taken from the battery. This wire is connected to pin 87 on the relay. The remaining relay contacts are connected as follows:
- The 30th goes to the battery through the fuse;
- The 86th is connected to the battery minus or by means of a rigid connection to ground on the body;
- 85th - to the plus on the battery through the button and fuse, which is used in the circuit of the 30th contact.
Installation of the button for turning on the fog lights is carried out in the passenger compartment in a convenient place. The relay is mounted on a circuit board, but depending on the brand of the car, it can be mounted using a special bracket on the body. If installed on a board, a special connector must be present. When mounted separately, use the appropriate relay socket.
We examined a simple PTF connection scheme, but there is another option where the installation is carried out through the ignition switch. In this case, power through the button is not supplied directly from the battery, but from any wire on which voltage appears when the ignition is turned on. This circuit turns off the fog lights when the engine is not running. To connect the headlights in accordance with the current rules (SDA), the fog button is connected to the outdoor lighting switch. There may be some differences depending on the scheme used.
The wiring diagrams for fog lights may differ slightly, but the meaning and elements used remain the same.
PTF installation
The whole process of installing foglights can be divided into several stages:
- installation of headlights in the bumper;
- pulling wires;
- relay and fuse installation;
- button installation.
Connecting the PTF, depending on the specific brand of car, has its own characteristics, which you need to figure out before the installation work begins. In any case, work begins by disconnecting the “-” terminal from the battery. Mostly on cars, foglights are provided in the front bumper. Many car owners in this case have difficulties associated with the dismantling of the bumper. It is best to carry out the procedure on a viewing hole or using a lift. Here are some simple tips to make your job easier:
- prepare in advance a place where it will be possible to put a bumper;
- it must be removed carefully, without applying excessive force;
- after removing the bumper, cut a hole in the designated areas for the installation of headlights;
- there are models of foglights with plugs, which simplifies the process of fitting the holes in the bumper;
- then install the headlight mounts and the headlights themselves.
After installing the lighting equipment and installing the bumper in its place, proceed to connect the electrical connectors.
To install the fog lights, you will need to remove the bumper (depending on the brand of car)
How to connect fog optics
To connect the headlights, you will need to stretch the wires. It is worth mentioning the cross section of the wires, which depends on the load, i.e. from the strength of the current. Based on the above calculations, then for a current of 10 A, a wire with a cross section of 0.5 mm² is required. Since we take with a margin, then 0.75 mm² will be enough. Although many use wire with a large margin (1–1.5 mm²). The wire is laid from the handle or from the PTF power button to the fuse box. The length of the wires can be different, depending on the connection scheme and the specific brand of the machine. Basically, it leaves from 20 cm to 150 cm.
In fact, the connection should not cause any particular difficulties. The bottom line is this: the switch turns on the relay, the circuit closes through it and power is supplied from the battery to the headlights. On those vehicles where the installation of PTF is provided from the factory, everything is much simpler. In other cases, the wires will have to be stretched with your own hands:
- we connect one of the contacts of each headlight to each other and connect it with a wire to the power circuit in accordance with the diagram;
- the second contact of each of the headlights is connected to the mass of the body;
- all wiring that is necessary for laying to the headlights is fixed with electrical tape or plastic clamps.
Video: installation and connection of PTF on the example of Nissan Almera
How to install a switch
Depending on which model of car the fog lights are installed on, the inclusion can be done either by a separate button or by the turn signal and headlight turn-on knob. It is in the latter case that it will be necessary to replace the switch with a new one, which is equipped with a PTF switch. For this work, it is necessary to select the appropriate fasteners, then the procedure will not cause problems associated with broken plastic elements.
After all of the above is done, it remains to check the correctness of all connections, the reliability of fastening. Now you can check the operation of the optics. To do this, connect the “-” terminal on the battery and turn on the fog lights. With proper installation, you only need to adjust the luminous flux, which will be discussed below. As the car is used, one must not forget to pay attention to the cleanliness of the headlights and replace the failed light bulbs.
Depending on the brand of the car, it may be necessary to replace the handle for turning on the turns and headlights or install (connect) a separate button
Fog adjustment
Let's move on to the most important point - adjusting the PTF. Note that this step after mounting the headlights is mandatory. If the optics are not positioned correctly, in addition to the fact that the lighting efficiency will be low, the light will also blind oncoming drivers. There is an easier option to adjust the position of the lighting fixtures and a more correct one. A simple method involves adjusting "by eye". In this case, the headlights are adjusted so that the light does not rise too high. But, as you can see, such an adjustment will be far from ideal.
In the second method, you need to wait until dark and find a vertical wall. The machine is installed perpendicular to the wall at a distance of 7–8 m and the dipped beam is turned on. Further, on the wall it is necessary to mark the center of the low beam light beam. To do this, you can use chalk. A horizontal line is drawn between the marks. From it measure 10 cm down, and draw another horizontal line. It will serve as the upper boundary for the light spot from the PTF. After the marking of the second line is completed, the dipped beam is turned off. Only the dimensions remain on, fog lights are also included. You will need to set the beam of each headlight so that it does not go beyond the line.
When the height of the light spot is adjusted, set the distance between the light beams of the headlights. This procedure is necessary so that the roadside is fully illuminated when driving. To adjust, it is necessary to set the light beam of one of the lighting fixtures evenly, determine its center and make a mark. About 120 cm recede from it towards the light beam of the second headlight and make a second mark. It will serve as a guide for the light spot (center) of the second headlight.
Video: how to adjust PTF
Fog optics malfunctions
During the operation of the car, various situations may arise when the foglights either do not work at all, or work, but with some nuances. Let's list them:
- fuse;
- burned out lamp;
- relay;
- weight;
- switch;
- lack of food.
Let's consider each malfunction in more detail. Before changing the fuse, it is worth examining it and checking it with a multimeter. If it fails, install an element of the same rating. If it was not possible to find the fuse in the mounting block, most likely it is installed near the PTF or near the relay. In addition to the fuse, the lamps themselves can burn out from time to time. Their integrity is also conveniently checked by the device. You can, of course, do this visually, but the hair can be intact, and the lamp is not working.
One of the reasons why PTFs may not work is a failed fuse.
In addition to the above, the relay may be the reason that the PTFs do not work. Each part has its own service life and the relay is no exception. The item is exchanged for a known good item. The operation of the element can be checked as follows: when the foglight button is turned on, a characteristic click should be heard (the operation of the relay contacts). If there is no click, then the relay is either defective, or it is not receiving power (to the winding).
The reason may be in the button. The detail is changing. Poor weight on the body is also possible. It is necessary to check the chain, clean, secure and protect against corrosion. What to do if there is no power:
- if the LED on the fog light button is on, it means that power is supplied to it;
- we check the presence of power on the relay contacts 30 and 87.
If there is no voltage, you will have to look for a broken wire. The reason may be the simplest - corrosion or broken contact.
In addition to the listed problems that may arise with fog lights, fogging of the windows is possible, as well as the presence of water inside. How to be in this case? When the headlight fogs up, light is refracted and performance is noticeably reduced. The presence of water inside also does not bode well. Such a situation may arise when the seal is lost, i.e. headlight glass cracked. The solution may be to replace the glass or headlights with a new one. Let's look at the glass replacement procedure, because it is much cheaper than buying a new lighting fixture. In addition, no special tools are required:
- Determine how the headlight is mounted. There can be two options: a bumper or a body. To facilitate the process, it is better to remove the bumper from the car.
- Disconnect the PTF power terminals.
- Examine the headlamp and make sure that the reflective surface is not damaged.
- Carefully clean the headlight from the remnants of the old glass. You may need to break it completely. Then, using pliers and a screwdriver, remove the glass and sealant.
- The glass and the bezel of the headlight are degreased (solvent, acetone or other special means). The procedure is necessary, especially in those places where the sealant is applied. Before applying it, you need to wait until the surface dries well.
- The sealant is applied until the space between the glass and the headlight housing is completely filled. For this, any sealant can be used that can be used in the following temperature ranges: from -45 C to +150 C.
- After the composition is applied, the glass is pressed tightly against the body of the device. In the pressed state, it should be as long as required until the sealant is completely dry.
If there is water in the headlight or if the glass is fogging up, a crack may be the likely cause. In this case, the glass needs to be replaced.
That's the whole process of glass replacement. It remains to install the headlight in its place, connect the terminals and mount the bumper.
Legal features of PTF installation in Russia
Like a number of other equipment that a car is equipped with, PTFs must be installed in accordance with traffic rules. According to the rules based on GOST 8769–75, the installation of fog optics is allowed in the amount of 2 pcs. On the car, they should be located:
- no further than 40 cm from the side plane of the car (along the outer edge of the headlight);
- not lower than 25 cm from the surface of the roadway (along the lower edge of the headlight);
- the light openings of the fog lamps must be below the upper point of the light-transmitting opening of the dipped-beam headlights;
- the visibility angles of fog lights, within which they are not obstructed by any elements of the car, should be: vertically + 15–10˚, horizontally + 45–10˚.
The inclusion of the PTF should be carried out only in conjunction with the marker lights. On modern cars, there is a place for installing such headlights. There are plugs in these places, and for mounting the headlights they will need to be removed. If there is no specially provided place on the car, it will need to be picked up. It is important to follow the installation and connection rules. Only with proper installation can effective operation of lighting devices be achieved.
Fog lights on the car must be located in strict accordance with the traffic rules
What requirements should PTF meet?
When installing foglights on a car, you need to know about the rules that they must comply with:
- For the best illumination of the roadbed, the considered optics must have a clear upper boundary of the light beam.
- If there are no specially designated places for mounting PTF on the machine, they cannot be mounted above the head optics. The best option for their location is as close to the road as possible. A lower location will provide better lighting in bad weather. But too low an arrangement will lead to the fact that the headlight will be constantly wet in the rain, water may get inside.
- If the optics is not factory, then it is advisable to take it with plugs. This will allow you to operate the headlights as needed and significantly extend their service life.
- So that the optics do not become cloudy and do not fog up, it is recommended to use special processing tools.
As you could understand, the installation of foglights does not require any special tools, knowledge and skills. Each car owner can do this procedure on their own, adhering to the recommendations described above.
Each car owner, if necessary, can independently install fog lights. The procedure does not require special knowledge and skills. Adhering to a certain sequence of actions and choosing the optimal connection scheme, it will not be difficult to install and adjust the headlights.
At present, everyone knows about LEDs, since they are used in almost every sphere of human activity. Mobile phones, light sources, televisions - the list is endless. It seems that this technology appeared recently, but its history goes back a little more than a century, but more on that later. Now even the automotive industry has begun to introduce LEDs into the fog lights of modern models to the delight of many owners.
PTF functionality
Any experienced car enthusiast, as well as an inexperienced one, is well aware of the role that they play. drops through which standard optics cannot penetrate. In addition, the light from such lanterns is almost completely reflected from the curtain. Thus, a whole white wall is obtained, which significantly complicates the review.
Fog optics has its own emission spectrum, capable of penetrating such a wall. In addition, the luminous flux spreads horizontally and is directed downwards, which makes it possible to illuminate the road well. Is it possible to put LEDs in fog lights? An interesting question that needs attention.
The main mistake of many drivers
With regard to PTF, most drivers make a gross mistake - the use of optics is not for its intended purpose. In addition, things can just go crazy: drivers equip their vehicles with such optics in large quantities. It is not uncommon for sedans to have these lights (4 or more) on their roofs at any time.
Meanwhile, the traffic rules clearly state that turning on the PTF is allowed only during the dark period of the day and in conditions (fog, smoke). Some drivers turn them on instead of low beam, which is also a gross violation of traffic rules.
Therefore, one should not forget that PTF is just additional optics, although some owners manage to convert foglights to LEDs. Of course, it is impossible to completely abandon them, since under certain circumstances they help out a lot. Their main advantage from a constructive point of view lies in a special reflector and diffuser. In any other optics, there is no such thing anywhere yet.
Paradoxically, however, it is the fog lamps that consume the most energy, giving out a powerful luminous flux, which is significantly brighter than that of the dipped beam. In modern traffic rules there are no instructions regarding the color scheme of the PTF luminous flux. Because of this, various manufacturers conduct their own experiments.
A bit of history
Returning to the topic of installing H11 LEDs in fog lights, it’s worth rewinding a few decades ago and find out how it all began. 1907 A laboratory in which one of the well-known radio engineers spends his working time - It was he who noticed the effect of the glow of semiconductors, which was later called electroluminescence. Almost immediately, an article on this topic appeared in one of the scientific journals, but was ignored.
On the territory of the USSR, 20 years later, another scientist, Oleg Vladimirovich Losev, also discovered something similar. He was researching a silicon carbide crystal that glowed when a current was passed through it. Subsequently, the effect received the name of a genius - Losev's glow, and its author acquired a patent. However, the discoverer failed to find out the very nature of this glow.
The answers came later
Long before drivers began to put H11 LEDs in the foglights of their cars, almost by the middle of the 20th century, the p-n junction theory was created in relation to semiconductors. Based on this, in 1947 the first transistor was invented, which to this day has remained an unchanged element of radio engineering. The glow appeared when the charged particles overcame the boundary, which consisted of two different semiconductor elements. And it is the place of contact of these two crystals that glows, which eventually forms a kind of sandwich.
The whole difficulty was in the production of semiconductors of the required structure. And this obstacle could not be overcome for a long time. It was not until 1955 that research was crowned with success. The first diode was obtained by General Electric, although not everything is so simple here, since similar developments were also carried out in different countries of the world. But these are not yet the H11 LEDs in the fog lights of modern cars that are common today.
Nichia made a revolutionary breakthrough in 1995 with the introduction of a super-bright LED, which was a complete light source. Since that time, the development of semiconductor light devices has begun. And as many experts note, new light sources may completely replace traditional counterparts in the near future.
Lamp selection feature
The first samples of LEDs were expensive - the price of one such copy in 1968 was $ 200! The cost decreased gradually, and for some time no one could even imagine that such light sources would become the main competitor in relation to incandescent lamps. And we didn't talk about cars at all. Now, many motorists are faced with a difficult choice of which LEDs to purchase for fog lights for their car.
On the market you can find a wide range of automotive optics using diodes that differ in a number of parameters:
- form;
- dimensions;
- material of manufacture;
- shade of light.
There are also many manufacturers, but only trusted companies should be preferred. As for the shape, on the modern market PTFs are presented in the form of a circle, rectangle, oval, square.
There is no useful feature here, except for aesthetics. Therefore, the choice depends only on the requirements and tastes of motorists.
Another important point
As mentioned above, the luminous flux can be of different shades:
- white;
- blue
- red;
- yellow.
Here you should already think not only about personal preferences, but also about other road users. For example, H3 LEDs in blue and white fog lights will blind oncoming drivers, which is not good for anyone, since not only personal safety depends on this. Therefore, it is better to purchase optics with a yellow tint.
Undeniable popularity
Despite the variety of PTFs, which are represented by LED, halogen, xenon products, the first one is at the peak of popularity. And all because of some undeniable advantages. And the main advantage is that LEDs emit much more light per watt when compared to standard incandescent lamps. In addition, there is practically no heating.
This allows you to consume less energy, respectively, and the service life is noticeably increased. There is an opinion that when using foglights with LEDs, you can save on fuel, even if not as much as we would like. In addition, the maximum luminous flux is formed very quickly, since there is no need for ignition, which some lamps lack. And if we compare with the xenon counterpart, then the LEDs cannot blind the drivers of oncoming cars.
Another important plus
It is worth highlighting another important advantage that greatly highlights the LEDs and brings them to the fore. Since they do not have a filament, they are very resistant to various kinds of vibrations, which simply cannot be avoided when the car is moving.
Due to the wide range of colors, LEDs are an excellent option for giving the car an original appearance. A kind of tuning without significant intervention from the outside.
The LEDs themselves in the fog lights are characterized by their small size, which allows them to adapt to the design of any vehicle. But, unfortunately, there is one drawback, which will be discussed below.
Disadvantages of LEDs
The main disadvantage of LED lighting is its high cost. Another drawback is the lack of brightness - only 700 lm, while the minimum indicator for lamps should be 1000 lm. Only in this case it is possible to provide the necessary visibility of the roadway in conditions of insufficient visibility. And as you can see, LED lamps do not meet the required condition, and therefore xenon is still in a leading position among other analogues. But overly bright light is not always good for the cause. And it is no coincidence that the use of such lamps is allowed with some reservations from the legislation.
You should be aware of these shortcomings before making a decision to put LEDs in foglights with your own hands.
PTF installation
There are no fundamental differences regarding the installation of PTF. You can only notice that it is easiest to install LEDs in standard round-shaped optics. If the headlights have an excellent shape, then good patience will be required here to find a suitable option that excludes big alterations.
You can, of course, purchase ready-made options and not bother yourself with unnecessary work. However, it all depends on the family budget, since the cost of LED foglights starts at about 5 thousand rubles. Therefore, for some drivers, an independent craft is the best option.
Public opinion
If someone has doubts about the use of LEDs in PTF, you can visit several forums on automotive topics.
By studying the numerous reviews of LEDs in fog lights, you can find out, for example, which lighting sources are best to purchase, since the market is flooded with various fakes that fail almost the next day.
At the same time, as often happens, there are supporters of a good alternative in the face of LEDs and their opponents. Many drivers note that the luminous flux is no worse than from xenon lamps. Others, on the contrary, do not see the difference, since, in their opinion, the diodes do not shine much better than the same halogen bulbs.
But this happens all the time: someone remains disappointed, while others see all the benefits. Perhaps the whole thing is in some subtleties of the headlight device or other factors. In any case, most drivers have already managed to appreciate all the delights of LED lighting in foggy conditions. And many motorists were satisfied.
The main purpose of fog lamps is to provide high-quality illumination of the road in bad weather. The modern market offers consumers a large selection of different PTFs; recently, our compatriots are increasingly attracted to LED fog lights. You can learn more about this optics from this article.
Criteria that determine the operation of LED fog lights
Why lensed fog lights with or without angel eyes illuminate the road well:
- The luminous flux formed by the optics is directed upwards and forwards, as well as to the sides. If you look at the lighting stream from the side, it looks a bit like a broom - it is narrower at the top, and expands towards the bottom. Thanks to this, fog lights allow you to illuminate the required space directly above the road, that is, the place where there is practically no fog.
- The effective operation of fog lights for a car also depends on the correct installation of optics. In accordance with the current traffic rules, it is necessary to mount fogs no higher and no lower than 25 cm from the road. In any case, fog lights should not be installed above the head optics.
- The light itself emitted by anti-fog optics has a longer wavelength, in particular, if we compare the yellow lighting flux with the white-blue that has been so fashionable lately.
Functionality of fog optics with LEDs
Since fog optics have undeniable advantages and enable motorists to see the road in difficult weather conditions, it must be installed on every car. But in fact, most of our compatriots put fogs with DRLs only when tuning a car. When installing diode lamps in PTF, it should be borne in mind that the white lighting flux is actually not as efficient and effective.
Selection Options
What to look for when buying fog lights:
- Pay attention to the dimensions and body of the lights, their installation should not spoil the appearance of the vehicle. If you want to install angel eyes fogs, then make sure they look good after installation. As practice shows, large linded fogs look great on foreign-made SUVs, but they are not always suitable for Niva.
- Also consider the fact that the hinged or vertical mounting method will depend on the location of the lamps, as well as the convenience of connection.
- You should also pay attention to the power parameters - the optics can be designed for the on-board network at 12 or 24 volts. At first glance, it may seem that the difference is insignificant, but if you do not take this into account, this can lead to a rapid battery drain.
- The body of the tumanok should be as tight as possible, gaps between it and the glass are not allowed. Also make sure that the fogs are equipped with glass and not plastic - plastic is more prone to damage.
LED lamps for PTF
If it is necessary to put diodes in the PTF, you need to determine the number of diode elements that will be used in the headlights. Their number can be different, depending on the model - from 5 to 30 pieces. Recently, SMD LEDs have been popular among our compatriots, but such devices can have different sizes. The disadvantage of such optics is that when buying it is difficult to assess its real power.
On average, the dimensions of diode elements are 19-50 mm, most of the devices sold on the domestic market are manufactured by Chinese companies. Accordingly, many light bulbs have a similar design and dimensions. Also keep in mind that most Chinese manufacturers indicate deliberately inflated specifications.
To date, one of the most popular options are LED light bulbs, the power of which is 7 watts, which is about 700 lumens of brightness. In accordance with consumer reviews, such light sources, although they shine brightly, do not properly illuminate the road. This is because for high-quality lighting, the brightness value should vary around 1000 lumens, this parameter should be taken into account when buying. But you also don’t need to buy very powerful lamps, since, as a rule, they get very hot, which contributes to their accelerated wear.
Lamps for DRL
The use of daytime running lights instead of fogs is not relevant, since for high-quality lighting, the power of the diodes should be about 1000 lumens. In addition, the illumination angle in daytime running lights will be about 30 degrees, while in fogs this figure is 45 degrees. The power of light sources for daytime running lights must correspond to the nominal value indicated on the headlights or in the operating instructions for the car.
Correct LEDs
If you want to install high-quality LED headlights and not face problems in their work, then you need to consider certain parameters. Any diode lamp must be equipped with a cooling radiator, this will prevent its possible overheating. Remember that usually regular places for installing light bulbs are not designed for installing diode components with cooling, respectively, you will have to “break” your head during installation.
If you want to save on installation, you can buy Chinese-made devices, but the quality in this case will be a big question. In practice, in the operation of Chinese LEDs, the problem often arises of driver burnout, the appearance of defects on the case during long-term operation. In addition, the build quality in such lamps is usually low. In such designs, both the built-in driver and the additional one can be used, but if it fails, then it will not be possible to replace it, since such drivers are not commercially available. Therefore, we recommend giving preference to more well-known manufacturers that produce quality products so that you do not run into problems in the near future (video by Alex Kenn).
Proper LED fogs
An easier option is to buy ready-made fog lights and install them in existing regular places. Then you do not have to remove the existing headlights and rack your brains to install diode bulbs in them. It is best that such headlights are made in a monolithic case, and inside the case there is a diode cooling system. For greater reliability, the devices can be supplemented with a control module, which will ensure the correct connection and further operation of the PTF.
How to make with your own hands?
In order not to spend money on buying ready-made diode foglights, you can install diodes in existing PTFs with your own hands. Below is a detailed instruction for the manufacture of LED fog lights, read it before you begin the task.
Tools and materials
In order to avoid mistakes and do everything right, first of all, you need to prepare all the tools and materials.
You will need the following:
- fog lights, you will need new fogs or already installed ones;
- soldering iron with rosin and tin;
- small self-tapping screws for fixing optics;
- LED bulbs or tape with wires (video author - Alexander Pletnev).
Stages
Check out the step-by-step instructions for making LED PTFs:
- First, turn off the ignition, and then open the hood and disconnect the battery power, this will de-energize the on-board network.
- Next, you need to remove the fog lights from the bumper, for this you need to turn off the power from them and dismantle the case. Disassemble the headlight housing, then remove any debris that has accumulated inside the headlight. In the event that you notice that traces of rust have appeared inside the case, you will need to treat the surface with fine-grained sandpaper. If you bought new PTFs, then you don’t need to remove anything. If necessary, the dimensions of the lamps should be selected for the purchased diode lighting sources.
- After that, you will need to independently assemble a cooling system for optics, and if necessary, you will additionally need to install a driver. Separately, it must be said about cooling radiators - you can make them yourself, to complete this task you will need pieces of steel 2-5 mm thick. Alternatively, you can use an old processor heatsink from a personal computer.
- When the cooling device is ready, the diode lighting sources themselves should be connected to the lamps, which will be connected to the vehicle's on-board network. Install the diodes so that their glow is as efficient as possible. Separately, it must be said about the connection - the best option would be to connect the lights to the battery and remove the switch to activate the optics in the car interior. The switch itself should be installed on the center console.
Alternatively, you can connect the PTF to the dipped beam headlights, side optics or daytime running lights, but keep in mind that in this case, the fog lights will often work unnecessarily. Accordingly, this can reduce the service life of these headlights as a whole. When connecting directly to the battery, the electrical circuit must be supplemented with a safety device, and it is desirable to install it as close to the battery as possible.
The installation of fog lights is not a mandatory requirement of the SDA, and its necessity for many motorists remains a controversial issue. But in the case of this event, certain rules should be followed.
Requirements for installing fog lights
Like many automotive equipment, fog lights must be installed and placed correctly, in accordance with the requirements. According to the SDA (rules of the road), on the basis of GOST 8769-75, it is allowed to install fog lighting devices only in the amount of 2 pieces. They should be located:
- no further than 40 cm from the side plane of the car (along the outer edge of the headlight);
- not lower than 25 cm from the surface of the roadway (along the lower edge of the headlight);
- the light openings of the fog lamps must be below the top of the light-transmitting opening of the dipped-beam headlights.
- the visibility angles of fog lights, within which they are not obstructed by any elements of the car, should be: vertically + 15–10 °, horizontally + 45–10 °.
Fog lights should only be switched on in conjunction with the position light.
On modern cars, as a rule, the vehicle manufacturers have already taken care of the installation site. Most cars have special places on the bumper for PTF, and even if the device itself is missing, there are plugs where it should be. They must be removed and PTF installed instead.
If the car does not provide a place for PTF, then it will have to be selected. In this case, the installation of fog lights must be carried out in strict accordance with the requirements for their placement on the car and connection. Correct installation and adjustment of these devices will ensure maximum efficiency of their work. The headlights are adjusted after their installation with the fixing of the provided fasteners. At the same time, they achieve the correct angle of incidence of the luminous flux onto the road.
Ways to connect fog lights
Connecting fog lights can be done in several ways. The simplest and most reliable is to connect to an existing car wiring designed to power the PTF. In this case, the factory electrical circuit already contains all the necessary elements (leading wires, connectors, relay, fuse, switch) - all that remains is to install the headlights and connect them to the existing connectors. This method is implemented only on fully equipped cars, when new PTFs are bought to replace installed ones or to complete the vehicle. When purchasing headlights, you should make sure that they fit the car model, both in terms of plug connection and installation parameters.
If the car does not have an electrical circuit for connecting the PTF, then it will have to be laid independently. This will require insulated copper wires, a switch, a relay, a fuse and the headlights themselves.
A common mistake is to connect the PTF to the parking lights. The wires and switch of these devices are not designed for the current consumed by the headlights!
A fuse in the PTF power circuit is not a luxury. This device will save you from a possible fire in the event of a short circuit in the wiring. Its value is calculated based on the power of the headlights. If the lamps in them, for example, are 60 W, then the calculation of the current in the supply circuit for two PTFs is as follows.
60W * 2 / 12V = 10A.
The fuse is always chosen with a small margin - in this case, 15 A is required.
Fog lamp connection diagrams
The simplest way to connect fog lights is directly from the battery, through a switch. Each PTF has two contacts for the electrical power of the lamps. One of them on both headlights is connected with a wire into one circuit and attached to the mass (metal part of the body) of the car with a rigid bolt fastening. The vehicle body is connected to the negative terminal of the battery. In fact, it’s better to run the wire to the battery itself and connect directly to its terminal with the “–” sign - it’s more reliable, there is no risk of power loss due to corrosion of the body and bolt.
The second contacts of the headlights are used to connect to the "+" of the battery. They are also connected together, and the wire is brought to the relay contact with the inscription 87. Next, the relay contacts are connected with wires to:
- 30th - connected through a fuse to the plus of the battery;
- 86th - to the minus of the battery or a rigid bolted connection to the mass of the car;
- 85th - to the “+” of the battery through the switch and fuse used in the circuit of the 30th contact.
The PTF power button is mounted on the car interior panel in a convenient place. The relay is located on the circuit board. In the fuse box, as a rule, there is a free slot for installing an additional one used in the PTF circuit. You can also use one of those installed in the block.
A more complex circuit based on the previous one is connecting to the battery plus through. That is, from the PTF power button, the electrical circuit is not laid to the fuse and then to the battery, but to any wire in which voltage appears when the ignition is turned on. Since it is possible to connect the fog lights according to this scheme to the power only when the ignition is on, this will avoid the situation when the PTF is accidentally forgotten to be burning when the engine is not running.
The previous schemes will make it possible to fulfill the requirement of the SDA that the parking lights must be lit before turning on the PTF. In order for the headlight connection to comply with current legislation, the PTF button is connected to the vehicle's exterior lighting switch.