Aux lights, the law and your State?

[CRuth]

Properly aimed fog lights shouldn't bother an oncoming driver. I would like to run just the fogs on the occasions its really foggy, but the legality of it, plus that it just may freak out some other driver makes me not do it.

 

[dhill]

Oregon is similar. Aux lights must be off anytime you would turn off your high beams.

Also in Oregon ALL aux. lights must be off when aproaching oncoming traffic at a distance of 500 feet. If you are behind someone ALL aux lights must be off at a distance of 350 feet.



It doesn't make sense to me to have the aux lighting off with the high beams, after all the reason you have your high beams on is to have as much light as you can get.



I have used my fog light only in heavy fog and they work well, but when I have my brights on, I WANT LIGHT.



Dave

 

[HWestfall]

Aux. Lights

Could anyone explain to me or send me a diagram on how to wire a pair of KCs so they can be on anytime and on with the High Beams with a double throw, two pole switch & relate. Switching the Ground like the Truck.



02 3500 Patriot Blue, CC, 6sp. , Leather, Stage 1 AFE, Isspro Pyro & Boost, Custom Srayin Bed Liner. DeeZee Running Boards,Stainless Rocker Panels. , PacBrake. Chrome Brush Guard, Drop Center Stock Tail Gate For 5th Wheel

 

[Matt400]

For that I would just wire them using a relay same as any lamp set up.

Use the high beam + wire at the back of the headlamp to trip the relay so they come on with the high beams, then also wire in an on/off switch as a secondary source to trip the relay.

 

[cojhl2]

wire in an on/off switch as a secondary source to trip the relay



You must think that through as there wiill be a voltage backflow when the aux switch is closed and the main is off

 

[Thomas]

For that I would just wire them using a relay same as any lamp set up.
Use the high beam + wire at the back of the headlamp to trip the relay so they come on with the high beams, then also wire in an on/off switch as a secondary source to trip the relay.

It seems the truck HWestfall is asking about is a 2002 Ram. There is no "high beam + wire at the back of the headlamp". Since a switched ground system is used model year 2002, the +12 volt wire at the back of the lamp is always hot, even when the truck is parked - not a great choice for triggering a driving lamp relay because the lamps would never be off.

The basic 2002 headlamp circuit is shown here: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=15712&width=0

To turn on the driving lamps with the high beams, one side of the relay trigger coil needs to be hooked to a fused source of +12 volts. This fused +12 volt source could be always on, on with key, or on with dash switch, however you wish. The other side of the trigger coil needs to be hooked to the red/orange wire at either headlight bulb socket. When high beams are selected, the circuit through the relay trigger coil will be completed, turning on the driving lamps.

My PIAA 60XT's are wired as described, using a dash switch on the +12 volt side of the relay trigger coil. I have found no need in four+ years for a way to turn them on independent of the high beams ("double-throw switch"). This method actually prevents their use unless high beams are on. It also allows the driving lamps to be shut off with the dimmer switch, a fairly mindless thing for most drivers.

 

[Matt400]

It seems the truck HWestfall is asking about is a 2002 Ram. There is no "high beam + wire at the back of the headlamp"

Opps. I shouldn't have assumed it was the same as 03-05. In that case I would do the same but trigger the ground side of the relay.

 

[HWestfall]

Thanks everyone I will try your suggestions. I think Thomas's sounds like it will work and it gave me some of the answers I have been looking for. I some times use the KCs as road lights on low beam. again Thanks

 

[Cummins Pilot]

No idea what the law reads in Alaska. But as long as your not "brighting" people the cops don't care. I had 8 lightforce's on the front of my F-150, never got hassled about it. I could see everything though!

 

[AMink]

When I was in PA, I used the fog lights as roadside illumination. I aimed the passenger side one so that it shone into the woods as a way to light up Bambi and the kids. Worked pretty well.