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Date:         Sat, 9 Sep 2000 20:33:08 -0700
Reply-To:     Bill Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bill Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Subject:      Re: HELP with wiring VW foglight switch to Hella 500's in 85 Westy
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Todd, Kent Christensen Nov 15 clearly states that "Switch Power is sourced from light switch terminal 56 [head light switch I think] meaning fogs work with headlights on only (in factory configuration)."

He also says, "I'm certain switch should activate a relay for front fogs." And so am I.

I like the idea of being able to have my back up lights on with the headlights off so I wired my back up light relay to the parking lights instead of the headlights. (nice to be able to turn the headlights off and have light backing into a camp spot with out shining lights everywhere)..

Bill

> Hi Todd... > I'm just in the process of wiring some back up lights to the same VW Fog > Light Switch... almost done.. > > I'll try to answer your questions below... > > > I've finally found time to install a set of Hella 500's that I bought on > > sale from Susquehanna MotorSports earlier this year for our 85 Westy. I > > decided to purchase the stock VW foglight switch from the Bus Depot (part > # > > 251 941 535) instead of using the switch that came with the Hellas. I > used > > up most of my time today, however, searching the archives for tips on > using > > the VW switch with the relay that came with the Hellas. > > > > Here's the problem - the VW switch has three connectors on back which are > > designated "+" , "83a" and "83b". The only post that I found in the > > archives describing the connectors was from Kent Christensen on November > > 11th last year. Kent noted that his Haynes "VW Air-cooled Vanagon" shop > > manual described switch position (83a) for the front fogs, and the second > > position (83b) for front and rear. He also noted that the internal light > > was lit in second position only (front and rear fogs - "83b") and that no > > relay was noted in the diagram. So, is this switch designed to use a > relay > > or to take a power source into the "+" terminal straight out to front > and/or > > rear fogs via 83a or 83b? > > I think I remember this post... and as I remember the poster was surprized > that the rear fogs were run directly off the switch without a relay.... But > it really depends on the amp draw.. and I don't know exactly where to draw > the line... but I decided to use a relay for my back up lights which will > draw about 8 amps... I would imagine your fog lights will draw that much or > more than that.. > > > > > If I want to use this with the Hella relay (4 connectors: "30" - 12 volt > in > > from battery, "87" - 12 volt out to each foglight, "85" to ground and > "86" - > > "load" in from switch) would "+" on the VW switch be the "source or > supply" > > + on the VW switch is wired to your power source... hot coming into the > switch. > > > line from my parking light circuit (any opinions on the best place to tap > > into this?) > > The parking light circuit should be sufficient if you use relay(s) between > the VW switch and the Fog Lights .... if not you will need a more > substantial wire/source... like off one of the large ignition wires... or > better yet... wire back to the + post of the battery. > > and then "83b" could be used to run the "load" line to the > > relay - if I wanted to have the switch light up when the fogs were on. > > Yes. > > I > > know that I'll also need to run a ground for the indicator light. Is > > running this ground to one of the brass ground "stars" next to the > > relay/fuse panel OK? > > I did... but any ground will do.. > > > Also, is it best to run a power line all the way from > > the battery > > Yes. > > or is there a suitable source that I can tap into closer to the > > fuse/relay strip or under the dash? > > Perhaps one of the ignition wires... biggest one you can find under the > steering wheel... BUT it all depends on HOW MUCH POWER/AMPS THOSE FOG LIGHTS > WILL DRAW. If you don't know... it is always best to error on the safe side > (wiring back to the battery)... Many wire back to the battery bypassing the > headlight switch to add more powerful headlights so it would be appropriate > for the Fog Lights too I would think.... but all depends on how much power > those puppies will draw... > > Good Luck... and make good and safe connections! > > Bill > > > > > Final question - I found Mike Sullivan's webpage with the wiring diagram > for > > his Projektwo lamps that used the relay #7 slot in his fuse panel (he has > an > > 88 if I recall). My 85 Westy only has an 'extra' relay slot in position > #2 > > and the Hella relay that came with my kit doesn't fit. I got a > "universal" > > 30A Bosch automotive relay from the local FLAPS and it also didn't fit. > > The local VW dealer looked it up on the EKTA CD and informed me that VW CD > > doesn't list a fog relay for 85's. Has anyone with an 85 found a way to > > wire their fogs using a relay plugged into the #2 extra relay slot in > their > > panel? If so - where'd you get a relay that fits and would you mind > sharing > > where you ran your wires? > > > > My apologies for the length of the message and many thanks for any/all > > advice. > > > > Todd Guttman > > 85 Westy 'Rivendell' > > Columbus, Ohio > > >


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