15 replies to this topic

[westlin]

My son has asked if I can fit some spots and fog lights to the front of his cooper. Not got an issue with the spots, but the big question, should the fogs just be wired up (via a relay) to the rear switch or on a separate switch.

Any views welcome.

[Cooperman]

Front-facing fog lights should be wired to a switch, then via a relay so that they are switched manually and are not controlled by the dip-switch. You won't be wanting the fog lights on with main beam headlights, only with dipped beams.

In fact, these days fog lights are pretty useless as the headlights have a good cut-off on dip and fog lights have such a short range. It is often better to fit a pair of driving lights instead of fog lights to show up the sides of the road further ahead, but these would need to be wired through the dip switch. 

Many people just fit a pair of really good longer range driving lights to give light beyond the range of the headlights, in which case only 2 additional lights are needed.

Use good quality relays and make sure the wires run neatly in the engine bay.

I hope this helps.

[Steve220]

Fronts have to be independent to the rear.

You need to take power for the front fog light switch from the sidelight feed, from the switch then to a relay. The power to the fogs can come from either a new fuse location in the box or from the starter motor terminal, through a fuse and to the relay. It might sound a little complicated but if you google front fog light wiring then the are a lot of diagrams out there to help.

[westlin]

Im fitting to driving lights regardless they will be be operated on full beam (via a relay). I was going to pick up power supply for the lights them selves from the starter as mentioned( so straight to the battery) and the relay from the high beam feed. Ill add a separate switch for the fog switch.

You say to take it from the sidelight, is so that they only be used when the lights are on, could I also pick up the feed from the rear fog switch (as it will be close to the other switch).

Thanks

[Steve220]

To be legal and pass an MOT the front fogs must only be able to be turned on after the sidelights on as a minimum. Technically you could take it from the rear fog feed but you must make sure it's only live when the front lights are on,

[westlin]

Which I think that switch is, but good to know

[Swift_General]

There are no legal requirements concerning switching of front fog lights so ultimately you have a fair degree of freedom, however as you are allowed to use front foglights instead of a dipped beam in the hours of darkness in conditions of seriously reduced visability then I would suggest wiring them into the side lights would be a good idea. As per comments above this should operate a relay that takes its feed from a suitable supply based on the bulbs you are using.

[AVV IT]

In the standard classic mini position (I.e above the front bumper and in front of the grille) front fog lamps are pretty much useless. To be effective in fog, front fog lamps need to be lower down and on the bottom corners/edges of the car, as they tend to be in the front bumpers of most modern cars. As Cooperman suggests, they're of far more use when wired in as auxiliary driving lamps/spot lamps, to be used in conjunction with main beam head lights instead. If you want the classic mini row of four lamps look (traditionally 2 spots + 2 fogs) in front of the grille, then just wire all four in as spots/ auxilliary driving lamps instead.

[westlin]

Ive ordered a set of wipec spots and fog lamps, should I change the fogs or can I just run the 2 types on the main beam, not sure what the actual difference is, and if I keep both, which is the best way to lay them out, spots outside or inside

[Steve220]

well bugger me! I always thought front fog lights were an MOT requirement, turns out they're not! Well you learn something new everyday :)

[Dan]

The difference is in the beam shape, and how and when to use them. Spots are one type of auxiliary main beam headamp, along with driving lightspencil beam lamps and so on. You use them with main beam to extend the lit area ahead of the car so that you can make better progress at night. They are main beam lamps and as they will dazzle oncoming traffic they must be switched as main beam lamps.

Fogs are for use in foul weather and have a wide, low beam that cuts under fog and rain in front of the car so that light is not reflected back off the fog toward the driver as it is from the headlamps. If the lamps are properly designed and setup it is quite possible to get a decent fog beam from the height the lamps are fited at in a Mini. They are quite useful even today, on my daily driver I use them with my headlights in heavy rain to give better visibility. The best way to use them in fog is with the headlamps off so there is no reflected light. If you want to use them with the headlamps off like this then they must follow the same placement regulations as the headlamps so that oncoming traffic can see where and how big you are. This means they must be the outer pair of lamps.

[westlin]

Sorry I know what the do, it was more a view of If i should change the fogs for spots or keep with the 2 separate sets just operating under separete switches (main beam and a fog light switch)

[Cooperman]

It's strange, but we never get the sort of fog conditions where fog lights are much use these days. I tried the fog lights on my BMW with all the other lights off and the range was very short. Maybe OK in a 'pea-souper' when the speed would be down to around 15 mph. Otherwise I've never even switched them on. In fog, day or night, they are about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike  .

[westlin]

Any one want a set of new fog lights!!!

[Dan]

not sure what the actual difference is, and if I keep both, which is the best way to lay them out, spots outside or inside

Sorry, must have misunderstood.