Homemade fogs. Installation and connection of fog lights from a to z

Due to the fact that (Ptf) foglights are located near the ground, stones from the road often break the fragile glass of the headlights. Apart from this, almost everyone is familiar with the quality of Russian Foglights, which after a while, due to water ingress, become like an aquarium. Let's try to protect the PTF from gravel and water.

How to protect fog lights on your own:

Headlight protection against stones
Headlight water protection
Protection Fog lights from stones

1st method - protecting the Fog with an armored film. A popular method of protecting headlights, bodywork and bumpers.

Advantages - the film on the headlight is not noticeable, and the disadvantages are the cost and protection only from small pebbles.

The second method is to protect the foglight with transparent plastic or plexiglass.

In the first case, we use PET (which is used for the production of removable tinting).

The technology is common: a Foglight stencil is cut out of paper, and then PET is cut out on it.

Now we need to figure out how to fix the acquired templates.

Advantages - serious protection of foglights from stones, and disadvantages - due to a poor fit to the headlight, dirt can collect between the film and the headlight, or even worse, the headlights will be distorted.

In the case of plexiglass, which can be taken from the Gazelle headlights, the situation is similar.

According to the cardboard template of the Foglight, we cut out the plexiglass with a hacksaw, beforehand it is possible to leave the antennae for fastening. If you need to slightly change the shape of the sheet, then this can be done using a technical hair dryer.

It remains to fix the tape on the antennae, and preferably on small screws, our protection in front of the foglights.

All advantages and disadvantages are similar with PET.

3rd method - protecting the fog with an iron mesh.

You can use any grid, even the one used on top of the state. numbers.

It is possible to fix the grid on a strip of brass or tin, which must take the form of a fog lamp outline.

We impose a grid on the base and fix the edges with solder or glue. We cut off the excess mesh and process the edges.

You can fix it by any convenient method, but with the possibility of quick removal, so that when washing the headlight, the mesh can simply be removed.

Advantages - affordable and excellent headlight protection, in which the headlights are not distorted. Cons - look like an amateur.

Fog protection against water

The weak point of all Auto VAZ 2110 foglights is the rubber cover at the back. At some point, it shifts and water gets into the headlight. Because of the water, the fog lights become unusable and you have to repair them or take new ones.

Measures to protect fog lights from water come down to two points:

Processing edges and joints Foglights with sealant.

Make visors to prevent water from entering foglights

On the first point, I think everything is clear, and the 2nd is more detailed:

You will need 2 tin cans with a capacity of 1 liter. It is only necessary to pay attention to the fact that on the one hand it is necessary to bend so that the piece of iron does not climb out of the fog.

Now water will not get into the PTF!

A modern car is equipped with a range of lighting solutions to improve comfort and safety during vehicle operation.

As a rule, in addition to head optics and taillights, many cars also have PTF in front. The so-called foglights do a good job of illuminating the road in conditions of poor visibility (fog or rain), and are also an additional source of illumination in the dark.

It is worth noting that many cars, both domestic and budget foreign cars, often do not have standard PTFs from the factory. With all the advantages, for a number of reasons, many owners are interested in how to install fog lights with their own hands.

Read in this article

How to install foglights and connect PTF correctly

First of all, you need to decide if there are versions of a particular car with PTF. The fact is that the same model, but already in the middle or top configuration, is usually already equipped with fog lights (lanterns).

In this case, the installation of PTF usually does not require separate preparation of the place for installation, since the fogs are placed in ready-made places, covered with plugs. It is also often possible to find ready-made wiring for PTF, etc., which greatly simplifies installation.

Installing foglights: requirements

If there are no ready-made seats, then the PTF can be taken out separately (external foglights) or the front bumper will need to be converted to foglights. By the way, in the latter case, such a solution may result in some difficulties, since these improvements are considered to be changes in the design of the vehicle and its partial re-equipment.

To avoid problems, you need to study the requirements for installing fog lights. It is quite obvious that the PTF must be placed, installed and connected correctly. According to traffic rules, GOST 8769-75 determines that fog lighting devices are allowed to be installed:

in the amount of not more than 2 units;
no further than 400 mm from the side plane of the car, that is, along the outer edge of the headlight;
not less than 250 mm from the surface of the roadway along the lower edge of the headlight;
the light apertures of the foglights must be below the upper point of the light-transmitting aperture of the dipped beam headlights;
the visibility angles of the PTF, within which they are not obstructed by certain elements of the machine, should be +15–10 vertically, +45–10 horizontally;
the inclusion of PTF should be possible only together with the dimensions;

It turns out that if there are no regular places for installing PTF, such places need to be selected, since the installation of fog lights must be carried out in strict accordance with the requirements for their placement on the car, as well as connection.

We also add that after installing the PTF or carrying out certain work, it may be necessary to adjust the headlights (including fog lights) in order to obtain the correct angle of incidence of the light flux on the roadway.

Connecting foglights: available methods

Having decided on how to put the fog lights and fixing the fog lights themselves, you can proceed to connecting them. Fog lights can be connected in several ways. In practice, if the car already has standard PTF wiring, such a connection will be the easiest.

In this case, the factory electrical circuit partially or completely has lead wires, connectors, relays, fuses, switches, etc. In fact, you only need to put the headlights and connect them to the connectors.

As a rule, this option is available when new PTFs are installed on a car that was originally equipped with foglights. The main thing is to choose PTFs that are suitable for fasteners, connections, overall dimensions and other characteristics.

If there is no circuit for connecting the PTF on the car, then you need to lay the wiring to the fogs yourself. To do this, you need:

copper wires in isolation;
fog lamp relay;
fog light button (PTF switch)
fuse;
fog lights.

We note right away that PTF should not be connected to side lights. Please note that the wires and the size switch are not designed for additional load. It is also necessary to connect the PTF through a fuse that protects the machine from fire in the event of a short circuit.

The fuse rating is calculated taking into account the power of the PTF. For example, lamps 60 W, PTF two pieces, then 60 W * 2 / 12 V is 10 A. In this case, the fuse must have a margin, that is, instead of 10 A, it is better to take 15 A.

Wiring diagram for fog lights

We note right away that the simplest PTF connection scheme is to connect foglights from through a switch. Each fog lamp has 2 contacts to power the lamps.

On both headlights 1, such a contact is connected with a wire to a circuit, after which it is connected to ground or to metal parts of the car body by screwing it to the body with a bolt. However, in reality, it is optimal to run this wire to the battery itself and connect it to the negative terminal of the battery.

With such a connection, there is no risk that the minus from the body will rot, the fastening will deteriorate, or the fastening point will be damaged by corrosion. As for the second contacts, these are positive contacts, which are also connected by wire into a circuit, after which a connection is made to the positive terminal of the battery. In this case, a direct connection is not made, the wire is first brought to the contact of the PTF relay.

Next, the relay contacts are connected with wires through a fuse to the "+" battery, as well as to the "-" battery or to the mass of the car. Also, the corresponding contact is connected to the plus of the battery through a switch and a fuse.

As for the PTF power button, such a button is placed on the instrument panel in the car in any convenient place. Also, if the machine has a version with PTF, you can buy a regular switch.

The relay is installed on the circuit board, the fuse is installed in the block (in a free slot). The main thing is to implement the correct connection and protection of the PTF circuit using relays and fuses.

The second option, when the fog lamp connection diagram involves connecting to the "plus" through the ignition switch, is considered more complicated. In fact, from the PTF power button, the circuit is not laid through the fuse to the battery, but to any wire where there is voltage when the ignition is turned on.

Taking into account the fact that, according to this scheme, power is supplied to the fog lights only when the ignition is on, the decision to connect fog lights according to this scheme allows you to automatically turn off the PTF after removing the key from the lock.

In practice, this avoids situations where drivers forget to turn off the fog lights when the engine is not running, which causes the battery to discharge. We also add, in order to fulfill the requirement of the rules regarding the inclusion of tumanok only together with the dimensions, the PTF button is usually connected to the outdoor lighting switch. This solution allows you to implement the connection of the PTF, taking into account all the rules and requirements of traffic rules.

What is the result

As you can see, although the presence of fog lights in the front (unlike a special rear fog light) is not mandatory under the SDA, the connection of the PTF must be done correctly. In other words, when installing fog lamps on a car, all requirements regarding the placement and connection of fog lights must be taken into account.

It is also important that the PTFs are properly connected according to the circuit through the fuses and relays, which will avoid fires as a result of a short circuit. Finally, we note that properly selected and adjusted fog lights greatly increase safety when driving in poor visibility conditions.

At the same time, there is normally no strong blinding of drivers of oncoming vehicles. If the fog lights strongly blind oncoming drivers, then it is necessary to check the PTF adjustments on a special stand, as well as the correct installation of the fog lights themselves, taking into account the existing requirements and standards.

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 low beam lighting. 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 an ultra-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 deciding to put LEDs in fog lights 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.

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 to minimize 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.

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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 location of the fog lights on the car

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.

An example of installing headlights on a bracket

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 way to remove 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.

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