I know this topic of wiring lights is in a number of threads (e.g. https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...driving+lights) but I was curious if there was consensus if it was OK to wire to the fog light switch or circuit.

If the recommendation is to use a relay, does anyone have details on this? I understand basic wiring, but are the relays coming with the lights and does some one have a write up on exactly how they wired it and what relay was used?

I would also be curious to see details on those that used a switch for their additional driving lights. I saw several nice switch installs (e.g. https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...driving+lights and https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-electrical-lighting-sound-systems-13/my-electrical-weekend-4491/ ) but not sure I saw one for front driving lights in this particular thread (assuming the fog light switch wasn't used) or those that didn't wire to the fog lights.

Lastly, I am curious if most people think mounting lights on the windshield does in fact produce too much glare. I like the idea of having them off the front bumper and I think they look good on the windshield mounts but wasn't clear if there were glare issues if they were using for front-facing lighting (I know some pointed them to the sides). I saw one person saying they used a pencil beam to avoid glare.

I know this is asking a lot - hoping others have the same questions. Thanks for any feedback on this.

 

It''s really, really simple. In a nut shell, you use the positive wire from the factory foglight (pick one, there is one for each foglight, or use it where it comes out of the fusebox) and run that to the correct terminal on your new relay (the switch terminal), using the wiring instructions that came with your lights as a guide (sorry I can't remeber which termials are which off of the top of my head). Then you run a fused positive from the battery and negative(grounded to the JK) to the correct terminals on your new relay, again using the instructions as a guide. Then using the last terminal on your relay, you run a wire to the positive terminal on your fog lights, this is the power supply. Make sure you grounded your new lights and that's it, they should be ready to go using the original factory switch. Make sense?

 

OK.....here we go....

The fog light circuit is OK to use with a relay in series if you don't mind your extra lights going off when you switch to high beams. I don't know if you could even get to the wires coming off the switch itself, and with all the canbus stuff it's just as easy to tap directly into the hot wire that connects to the fog lamp bulb to run the relay.

A relay is a must have item for any auxiliary light circuit. A dash mounted switch will not handle the current and will literally melt.

I personally would not run driving lights off of the fog lamp curcuit, driving lights are supposed to be a supplement to the high beams. They need a separate switch. Some people wire driving lights so they ONLY come on with the high beams, and I think that some states require it as well. Check your local laws for info.

Relay 101

A relay is nothing more than an electromagnet that closes a set of contacts when power is applied to it. The contacts inside the relay can handle the high amount of current the lights draw, the switch on the dash will not. The relays I have used from KC have 5 terminals, three of those are for the coil (electromagnet) part. Of those three, two are the same connection.
The other two are for the contacts (switch) that the electromagnet triggers.

The switch you install on the dash turns the coil (electromagnet) on and off. This closes or opens the contacts, which turns the lights on or off. One of the contacts has a spring on it which forces it to separate from the other contact when there is no power applied to the coil.

In summary, a relay is a high current switch controlled by a low current switch.

I installed a switch in the centerstack to control my KC driving lights I have mounted on the windshild pillars. The lights came with the wiring, relay and switch. The included instructions are very easy to follow, there are pictures, everything is color coded and fool proof. Even a caveman could do it.

The lights I bought are the KC Slimlights, Driving beam pattern. My Jeep is black and I have no glare to speak of, even when the hood is wet.

Hope this helps you, good luck!

 

john and BLKRUBI, that's so much for the info - that is really helpful. john, my JK is black and so I appreciate hearing from you regarding the glare. Thanks!

 

I like these.... I might have to get some, but $90 seems like a lot for 2$ of scrap metal and a cheap layer of powdercoating.

 

Save yourself some scratch, I got my KC pillar mounts for 29.95 at Quadratec, a supporting sponsor. Very nice item, decent enough welds and good powdercoating.

 

Yes they are cheaper but I personally do not like the position it puts the lights. The warriar and kc brackets mount the lamps "in and up" more in front of the windshield. The Mopar brackets mount the lights "down and out" away from the windshield. I just changed my lights from 6" to 8". I can't imaginge having those big ole things right in front of my windshield. I admit I am anal when it comes to things so I had to have it the way I wanted it regardless of the price. Some do not care. If you like the light in front of the windshield then the $29 lights are perfect for you. If you like them out of your sight then you might need to spend a little extra $$$$.
My .02

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It is true, I purchased the brackets from quadratec and they do hang over the windshield a little. I don't mind it though with the 6 inch, but if you are going with the 8 inch you should go with the mopar because half your windshield would be blocked with the other bracket.

 

Hey coug, do you have any pics of your brackets and lamps from the front?

 

Hmmm.....I must set taller in the saddle than most folks, I don't even notice the lights being there. I could easily fit 8" with no blockage. If I had found the position of the lights objectionable, I would have made my own extension bracket and put them where I wanted them and still saved some scratch
I've been thinking about another pair up there, just lower and to the side. Might just have to try that!! Thanks for stirring the brain cells!