Rear fog light(s)

Lol, you properly made me laugh twice today, thank you...

 

I kind of doubt you're going to need a relay for an LED rear fog. They don't draw enough current to require one.

 

I agree with you, guessing these work together with the momentary switch to make sure the fogs go off when you shut the lights or engine off to conform to the ECE rules. The carbuilder one works the same way without a relay.

 

I guess I could tap into the trailer harness to come in when the lights are on. But wire in a switch on the ground side to control when the rear fog comes on. It's rarely foggy here but we get some serious downpours.

 

This is when I have to remember that I'm on a Toyota forum. We can't do that with the 15+ F150s. Smart tow can really be a PITA.

 

A rear fog light has nothing to do with telling the driver behind you that there is fog. They know that. It's all about better identifying yourself so somebody doesn't run into you. That's why smart drivers run their headlights when it's snowing during the day. It's not so you can see anybody else. It's all about them being able to see you.

I live in New York State. We have a law that basically states that anytime your windshield wipers are on, your headlights need to be on. It has nothing to do with you seeing better. Again, it's all about other folks being able to see you.

 

For those questioning why a rear fog light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcdQ4LnEZnQ

And proper usage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnNDNnVFCFQ

 

Here is my game plan for this, feel free to jump in if something looks wrong. The Hella rear fog is on the way, the cartown.se kit that Virgil (from candlepower forum) linked is here already.




I thought this set up hooked up to the battery and then had a trigger or activation that was tied to a light. It doesn't, so what I'm planning on doing is using a Y adapter from Starkey Products that will give me an extra output from my OEM front fog that will be the 12v +and - for the relay and the switch.

a couple of these will make for a nice water tight connection in the harness.

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Now the hardest part is going to be figuring out where in the world I can put the switch on the very crowded f150 dash and getting the wires through the firewall grommet.

 

What were you planning to use for a fuse? Hella makes a nice relay with an integrated fuse holder.

$25 HELLA 003530041 12V/25 Amp SPST Mini ISO Relay with 25 Amp Fuse and Bracket

Amazon.com: HELLA 003530041 12V/25 Amp SPST Mini ISO Relay with 25 Amp Fuse and Bracket,Blue : Automotive

 

Actually I don't know. Don't want to add another relay on a light that only draws 3w. If there is an issue the BCM should shut the circuit down. Since the fogs are connected to the BCM and it monitors for over currents I think (but am not sure) that should be good.

i could always tie the 12+ to the fuse already run to the DD driving lights and get the "-" off the fog light tap???????

 

I'd agree that you're nowhere near the current draw you'd need to require the use of a relay. (I was kind of wondering why there was one in there anyway.) I'd also agree that if you tap into the existing fog light circuit, you shouldn't need a separate fuse since that circuit is already protected.

 

Coulda have used rear fog lights last night in blizzard conditions. I had good forward visibility using my amber and white halves of my light bar together but I had some worry about trucks coming up from behind, so I actually ended up using my meso puddle lights as a driving light because they’re incredibly bright and light up the sides and rear of my vehicle, was also using my rock lights but they’re not as bright and only light up the underneath but I figured every little bit helps. I don’t think an oem rear fog in the tail light would have been effective last night by the looks of my tacomas ass.

 

Yes, in heavy snow conditions, a rear fog - particularly an LED version - will cover over pretty quickly and not do any good. Although I don't have a good picture of it in the snow, the only really effective way I had of alerting drivers of my presence was a 36" light bar mounted on my roof. All LED lower level and 4 halogen rotators in the upper level. It took a lot to block that bad boy out.

 

I had two trucks pull back out on the road and used me as a guide to make it the final 10km to the city. I’m guessing when they seen all the forward lighting go by them they figured it was a safe vehicle to follow. I was doing half of the speed limit and they were maintaining a very nice and safe distance behind me.

 

That is the very reason my first thought was to take a clear max or pro dd ss3 light and use transparent red paint.

 

Hella finally showed up today, stinking amazon.de put it in a cardboard envelope for packaging. Twisted and torn. Guess the $45 cartown charged for shipping wasn't bad considering it got here from Sweden in 4 days bubble wrapped in a nice strong box. $11 shipping from Amazon took 17 days and no protection. Going to wait till it gets warmer to start installing this

 

I’m going to start a meth habit.

 

Probably cheaper than a lighting habit.

 

Unfortunately common for Amazon shipping, especially international.

 

Looks like the new Rivian has stock rear fogs.