Hella 500 on OEM Circuit, Good or bad idea?
Apr 12, 2010 | 09:46 PM
#1
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From: Bay Area
Hella 500 on OEM Circuit, Good or bad idea?
A while ago I installed my Hella 500's using the power leads going to the old OEM fog light wires on my 4rnr. I figured after I replaced the bumper and trashed the fog lights I could use the vacant power leads. Great thing is I didn't have to wire anything up and i retain the stock on/off switch at the steering wheel. Im wondering if that was a bad idea. I have not had any issues thus far. I'm not sure what the spec is on the old fog lamps and what maximum draw should be for the OEM circuit. All I know is the hella's are 55W.....
Also I notice HID's are 35W which is less than their Halogen counterpart. Do the the HID's draw less amps or more? I'm thinking of upgrading but I'm not sure if my current set up is safe, much less putting HID's in their place.
Any tips are welcome.
Also I notice HID's are 35W which is less than their Halogen counterpart. Do the the HID's draw less amps or more? I'm thinking of upgrading but I'm not sure if my current set up is safe, much less putting HID's in their place.
Any tips are welcome.
Apr 13, 2010 | 08:41 AM
#3
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From: Bay Area
Yeah, I would love to keep my stock on/off switch. I'll look into rewiring the circuit thats there. The factory wire is thin, very thin maybe 18 AWG. Im not sure but I think it uses the same relay as the headlights.... Anyway food for thought.
Apr 13, 2010 | 09:21 AM
#4
i tried it on my old '05 Tacoma's factory foglight circuit..blew the fuse on the 1st flip of the switch...but with the HID's you might be OK, my HID headlights draw less power. Rewiring would be the safest bet though
Apr 13, 2010 | 09:23 AM
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From: COTKU,Ontario,Canada
The HIDs draw less amps than Halogens for a given output... it's one reason why they are one of the options folks are converting to...
The stock wiring should be able to handle it but is very small and is also probably getting a bit worn... I would keep it but use it as the trigger wire for a relay and run the lights on a separate fused circuit straight from the batt. using 14awg as a min size. The lights will be brighter and everything will run cooler as well.
The stock wiring should be able to handle it but is very small and is also probably getting a bit worn... I would keep it but use it as the trigger wire for a relay and run the lights on a separate fused circuit straight from the batt. using 14awg as a min size. The lights will be brighter and everything will run cooler as well.
Last edited by aviator; Apr 13, 2010 at 09:24 AM.
Apr 13, 2010 | 04:40 PM
#7
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The HIDs draw less amps than Halogens for a given output... it's one reason why they are one of the options folks are converting to...
The stock wiring should be able to handle it but is very small and is also probably getting a bit worn... I would keep it but use it as the trigger wire for a relay and run the lights on a separate fused circuit straight from the batt. using 14awg as a min size. The lights will be brighter and everything will run cooler as well.
The stock wiring should be able to handle it but is very small and is also probably getting a bit worn... I would keep it but use it as the trigger wire for a relay and run the lights on a separate fused circuit straight from the batt. using 14awg as a min size. The lights will be brighter and everything will run cooler as well.
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