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christym
New User
May 22, 2014, 4:25 PM
Post #1 of 2
(984 views)
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upping headlight power
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Hi Guys,
My car's a 95 VW VR6 that I've had from new.
It came with dealer fitted in-bumper "fog" lights. As fog lights they're next to useless because they work through the headlight switch and only with the headlights on. Instead, I want to convert the fog lights to work as auxiliary driving lights since I do a lot of long distance country driving and big animals are a hazard in these parts at night.
The way the fog lights are wired now is headlight switch (in on position + fogs) ---> a 30amp relay and 7.5 amp fuse ---> fog lights.
By way of experimentation, I changed the 55watt bulb in one fog light for 100watts and turned on. Result: after a few moments the fuse melted down, which is pretty much what I expected.
I'm wondering can I safely just up the fuse amperage until I find a fuse that holds together, or will I need to up the relay too? Are there implications for the dealers wiring (which I presume is factory kit stuff) or will it carry the higher amperage ok? Also am I creating a hazard that could blow the headlight switch?
Thanks
Chris
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
May 22, 2014, 8:07 PM
Post #2 of 2
(964 views)
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Re: upping headlight power
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The factory fused that circuit to blow the fuse before the wiring melts. Adding a bigger fuse can start a fire. Don't do it.
If you want to use a bigger type of driving lamp you will need to wire in a new harness capable of the amps you will be running, its own relay capable of the same and route the control side of the relay to only allow the driving lamps to be on when the high beams are on. You would still want the arm/ disarm switch to be able to keep them off when you don't want them. The fog light switch might work for you fine, just need to wire it to the high beam side and not the low beam.
I know how you feel about the country driving. Deer just suddenly show up on the center line and its nice to see them when you have time to brake.
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