From: blu@cellar.org (Dan Reed)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.vw
Subject: Lighting FAQ (ok, sue me.. Im bored).
Date: 12 Nov 92 18:07:11 GMT
Organization: The Cellar BBS and public access system


                       All About Fog/Driving Lights
 
  As always, with lighting kits, you get what you pay for.  A $20 kit
will not last, not be bright, and just will plain suck.  Better kits
start at about $40-50 and up.  A few good names are Cibie, Bosch, or
Hella.  Anyone of these kits are of good quality.  Better auto stores,
and discount department stores will carry at least one of these brands.
Make sure the lighting kits use At LEAST a 55 watt bulb.  When selecting
a lighting kit, make sure the kit is made of durable material, has
replaceable lenses and bulbs.  Also, take note of how they will mount to
the car, and how they will look.  See what is in the kit, and what
you need to buy separately.
 
  Fog lights are typically mounted BELOW the bumper.  The light pattern
should be wide, and low, the lights have a custom lens, and reflector to
achieve this.  Fog lights are either clear OR amber.  Amber is used for
heavy fog, as the light does not reflect back off the fog.  However, the
amber lights to not seem to be as "bright" as the clear ones, but they
work best in dense fog.
 
  Driving lights, are typically mounted above the bumper (they can be
below it, however you must adjust the lens..).  Driving lights are clear,
and should be aimed fairly high.  Driving lights should *only* come on
with your high beams.  Adjust the light to how you like it, some prefer a
"pencil" type beam, in the center of the road, while others may prefer
two separate lights showing both sides of the road.
 
  Below is a schematic for PROPERLY wiring fog and/or driving lights.
If the lights are wired as shown, your fog lights will only work with
your low beams, and your driving lights will only come on when your
high beams are on (also for flash to pass).   Most states REQUIRE that
the lights work in this order (NJ for sure).  Check all local laws before
doing this.  Print out the schematic, it might make more sense (or turn
your terminal 90 deg!).
 
  For all wires running from the relays-to-lights or lights-to-ground or
relay-to-lights, should be At LEAST 12 Ga. wire.   Do NOT forget to add a
fuse to the circuit.  Make sure all connections are either "crimped" or
soldered, with heat shrink tubing covering them.  Wire "taps" work well
to connect the wire from the headlights to the switch.  Radio Shack
has all of the connectors/fuse holders/switches/relays you could ever 
want.
 
  If you choose to add MORE lights, or lights of higher wattage, boost
the wire sizes, get bigger relays, and fuses.  Also make sure your car
can handle the drain on the electrical system.
 
 
Note: The "fog light switch" and "driving light switch" shown are for a
      standard SPST NON-LIGHTED switch.  The "factory" VW OEM "fog"
      switch is a bit more complex.  * Most German/European cars have fog
      light switches that can handle rear fog lights.
 
Disclaimer:  If you blow your car up, don't say it was my fault..
 
 
                                                  ____ (+)
                          ____________________   |
         ----------      /           ________ |  S
         |Driving |_____/           |        ||  |
         |Light55w|____             |      ---------
         ----------    |            |     _| Relay |____
                       V            |    | | 30 Amp|    |
                                    |    | ---------    V
         ----------                 |    |
         |Driving |_________________|    |__________
         |Light55w|____                  ___________ To Driving Light
         ----------    |                /            Switch
                       V               /
                                      /
                                     /
                                    /   (White)
         ----------________________/________________
         |   Hi   |_________________________________ To Light Switch -->
         |   Low  |_____           \    (Blue)
         ----------     |           \_______________
                        | (Gray)       _____________ To Fog Light Switch
                        V             |
                                      | ---------
                                      |_| Relay |_____
                                        | 30 Amp|     |
                                        ---------     |
         ----------                       ||  |       V
         | Fog 55w|_______________________||  |
         | Light  |_____                   |  |
         ----------     |                  |  S
         ----------     V                  |  |____
         | Fog 55w|________________________|        (+)
         | Light  |_____
         ----------     |
                        V
 
           V = Good solid ground to car body.
           S = Fuse (20 Amp).
         (+) = + 12 Volts, wire to battery.
         (Wire colors are for an 89 Golf)
 
* Rear Fog Lights,
 
Common in Germany and Europe, these are 20-30 Watt RED lights mounted off
the rear of the car.  They are supposed to come on with the fog lights.
The brighter light is seen easier than "common" tail lights in fog.  Some
cars come with "knock outs" off the rear bumper for these lights.  You
would install them, just like fog lights, however, have them on the same
circuit (dash switch) with a separate relay.  A good idea here in the
states, however, check all local laws before installing them.
 
Happy Motoring..

--
Dan Reed AKA Blu Max - blu@cellar.org - AnalCADGeek! - Industrial Music Maker
    68' Cougar XR-7, 89' VW Golf, 74' Honda CL360t, Vextrex Unit Lover
Legal for off-road use only, which may never be used on a highway....