88xj

I know the OEM Fog light switches are crap, I rebuilt my own once and now it's out again. Is there a specific brand Autozone, Napa, etc. that anybody has had any long term luck with? Or an alternate switch that can be wired up to them? I don't want to be stuck buying 10 switches as my fogs are usually on, but that may be the only way

Radi

The underlying problem is power to the lamps runs through the switch. If you add an external load-carrying relay the switch will last much longer.
The simple way is to divert the power lead from one foglight to the coil of an external relay and grounding the other end of the relay coil. The OEM wiring will turn the relay on and off instead of the lights. The power the fogs from the battery through the relay.

Bbasso

and I like them so much, I added another lol

still_alive

like Radi said the power runs through the stock switch, if you re wire them you can make the 12v signal wire that just turns the relay on be the only thing that runs through the switch. I just wired up some driving lights and the switch I used was a foot dimmer switch from an old ford pickup, works amazing

Radi

I miss those. I don't remember them ever breaking. Probably outlast the floor they are attached to in an XJ.

The Rooster

pictures on how you mounted that switch... i agree those switchs are great....

still_alive

just screwed to the floor with self tappers

88xj

So would any relay work? I'm trying to figure how to go about doing this. Would I tap into the wires behind the switch plug? Foot switch is a really cool idea

Radi

You need a relay with a 12 volt DC coil and contacts with a current rating comfortably above whatever your lights draw. Bosch makes some good ones.

To find the current draw in Amps, add up the total watts and divide by 12.

ie: a pair of 50W lights= 100w total. Divided by 12 is 8.3 amps.
So a 15 or 20 amp rated relay (those are common sizes) will give you lots of headroom.

Bbasso

20 amps

vitaminrust

I really like the foor switch idea....you can mount it wherever you want. A house light switch will work well to, and it will hold up to years of use as long as you don't get one from the dollar tree lol.....spend big and get the $4.99 one, then decide where to mount it, maybe get a fancy brass cover for it. The "rocker" switches that are for sale at the auto parts stores are junk....i woundn't use one of those on a derby car.

88xj

Thanks guys, I'll experiment with it