Maximum number of fog lights

[chartoo]

Hello All

 

This isnt particularly a Zed question but you guys are so smart and i cant find the answer so.....

 

How many 12v 55w fog lights could i run, with relays and good size wire, could i run on a car? (Normal alternator and battery, take out the original headlights out of the equation)

 

How does the maths work?

 

Cheers Andy

 

 

[Zedman240®]

To find out the amps, formula is P=VA. 110 watts= 12v x 9.17A. So an extra load of 9 amps will be added with those fog lights.

[Six_Shooter]

Technically the number would be infinite as long as the supply was upgraded to support as many fog lights as you wanted.

 

The real question is how many do you want or need, and on what car?

[chartoo]

So here is the story. I had a zed in Aust but now i live in Thailand and have a VL Calais. The headlights are buggered and its dangerous to drive at night. So with the thai baht it would cost me a weeks wages to buy some repo headlights and send them over .....or...... i can gut the old headlight and fix 4 small fog lights a side at a days wage and my time. Should look good and light quite well.

 

So i wanna know can the alternator run 8x 12v 55w fog lights with relays god wiring etc

 

Sounds like a lot......... and im not sure how the power divides etc

 

Help appreciated

 

Cheers Andy

[kobes]

you would be pulling around 36 amps if you had 8 of the fog lights according to the maths. The question is how big is your alternaternator? How effective is it ( ie are the brushes in good condition and all making contact)

 

You could always do the back of the enevolpe testing and use a multimeter to see how the current holding in the battery goes as you add more fog lights ( two at a time) just remember to have the car going when you test it, with as many accesories on as you can ( ie radio, air con, any 12v acc..) as you not want to be tacking a negitive charge out of battery as you driving and end up with a flat somewhere bewteen bangkong and ratchiburi.

 

Or more importantly, what is wrong with your lights at moment? is it wiring, globes or lens?

 

If it is costs that is holding you back, I have a friend that travels to thailand semi frequently for family reasons, and have the abilty to obtain common parts at a somewhat reasonable price. So if you can identify what your current problem is maybe a more traditional fix may be better, unless you want to go for the thailand bling of more is better

 

kobes

[chartoo]

The chrome on the lens is burnt all away to nothing . Thats the prob. Maybe i will just fit a decent spot light instead of the main bulb inside the headlight housing and then one fog light a side for high beam. I know my car can run that. Thanks for the help guys. Kobes if i need some shipping help i will def be in contact. Thanks mate

 

Andy

[Six_Shooter]

I wouldn't use fog lights in place of headlights, the beam pattern is different and you may find that you have less illuminated in front of you than you have now.

[Zedman240®]

Also, unless the headlights are clear, the pattern on the lens will affect the light from the fog/driving lamp anyway. Best option is to mount the fog lights low near the spoiler and just leave the headlights alone. Cheapest way I think.

[chartoo]

Yeah the headlights were so bad. i ended up putting a decent spot light inside the old headlight. And added dual fog lights. Better than nothing (old headlight).

The PO has done the worst wiring on these headlights.

 

This is what i fixed-

Both headlights wired together (wires to hot to touch and melted fuse block!)

No solders anywhere just tape

A third headlight plug wired in but not used

Two relays going in circles and doing nothing.

Was a  nightmare

 

Will post up how it works