Re: Wiring help needed for fog lights

Posted by HH56 On 2011/12/14 12:50:57

The biggest reason is you may not find a switch you like that can carry the current of the lights. Some of the general switches designed for the purpose with higher amp capacity are a bit ugly. Using a relay opens up the possibility of using almost any switch you see and like.

A second consideration --although not so much on your car since there is room-- would be the size of the wire carrying the current to the switch and out to lights. It will be larger gauge and may be a little harder to work with under the dash since it would have to carry the entire load. Some switch terminals may be somewhat hard to use with larger wire.

Using a relay could conceivably shorten the length of large wire a bit giving lights a bit more output and allow for smaller wire to the switch. If you are going to use Kev's suggestion of working off ign switch then it is best to keep the extra current of fog lights out of that switch.