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
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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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