HID wiring question
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From: San Luis Obispo, CA
HID wiring question I have HID conversions for my headlights and foglights. I can run the headlights no problem, but when I try to run the foglights I get a bad voltage drop and I blow out the power accessory fuse.
Would the best way to solve this problem by using a relay wired directly to the battery and using the original fog light switch? Or what would be the best way, I'm not sure what would be the best way to go. Thanks.
Would the best way to solve this problem by using a relay wired directly to the battery and using the original fog light switch? Or what would be the best way, I'm not sure what would be the best way to go. Thanks.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
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From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
I'd double check your wiring. Properly wired foglights shouldn't cause a significant voltage drop or blow fuses. Adding a relay probably won't prevent the voltage drop and may just mask the symptoms of a bigger problem. Relays are used to control a high-power circuit with a low-power one - they don't do anything to change the amount of power draw.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (16)
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: San Luis Obispo, CA
Hmm, ok. Well maybe I have a bad ballast or something. The wiring is pretty straight forward its just a plug and play unit. When they are on the draw is fine. It is the initial lighting of the bulbs that causes the problem. When I am driving and flip them on they are fine. But when sitting at idle, I fire them up and there is that initial power draw which causes the voltage drop, but then it comes back once the bulbs are warmed up. I read somewhere that the initial lighting of the bulbs can be a significant draw on the charging system and it suggested a relay to remedy the problem.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
A relay won't change the amount of current draw when the bulbs are warming up. Besides, if it's a plug-and-play setup that connects to the factory foglight setup then there is already a relay for the foglights and the power accessory fuse isn't involved in the circuit at all. The factory foglights are powered through the foglight relay from the TAIL LPS fuse.
