pssst ... stupid question ...

[donkey boy]

I had some bad luck with good brand name fog ligths in the past (Cibié) and decided at that moment just putting cheap stuff in the future. Now, I found some decent no-name ligths which are 100 Watts. I want to put them instead of the original fogs and I was adviced on this board not going higher than 55 Watts, because the Ford harness, switch etc. might not be able to handle more.

Here my stupid question: Can I replace the 100 Watt bulb by a 55 Watt bulb and should be fine? I know, the light will not be the same, but ...

OK, I'm probably making a fool out of myself with this question, but if you answer it without laughing, I promise to answer some more stupid tire questions.... deal?

 

[mattadams]

Your wording was a bit confusing, you mean putting a 100 watt bulb into a lamp designed for 55 watts, or visa versa?
I assume you mean putting 100 watt bulbs in to a 55 watt lamp.
I'd say ask leebo on that one but he got sick of me teasing him. Depending on the quality of the wiring, relays, and switch one of two things will happen. Either the bulb will realize that it's only getting 55 watts and will accept that and operate at a lower wattage, or it will fry the wiring and the relay and quite possibly the switch as well as the fuse your using to tap in to. The second is what I am 99% confident will happen.

 

[Frisckey1]

Brave man...

I was gonna ask a question like that the other day, but I figured I have asked my quota of silly questions for a while?

My question was taking out the bulb of my lights and replacing w/ a lower watt bulb, so the lenses didn't get so hot. Or would it make a difference? I was told my lenses cracked because of the heat of the bulbs...not sure if its true...but the question came up nonetheless!

 

[donkey boy]

Sorry for the confusion

I ment going lower in wattage, like Michelle, for not frying anything. Give the 100 Watt bulbs to charity and live happily with 55 Watts..

 

[mattadams]

OH OK... well, I don't see where that could be a problem. I've replaced 120 watt bulbs with 85 watt bulbs (to go to the PIAA superwhites which are less wattage but actually brighter) and didn't have any bad side effects. I was actually impressed with the difference between the standard PIAA 120 watt and the Superwhite PIAA 85... pretty cool .

So in other words, you should have no problem!

 

[donkey boy]

Is this a chat-board?

Matt,

These were probably the fastes answers I ever got (I'd wish my Swiss headquarters would answer as fast when I need it). Thanks a lot.

 

[mattadams]

... I get really bored at work...

 

[Bill Kemp]

Just a thought from a guy who thinks more watts are more better.
If you want to use the factory wire and switch than use it to activate the relay on the light set.
Just hook the factory hot lead to the switch wire on the relay and let the factory groung wire dangel.(don't use it f
for anything)
This way the factory wire isn't being used for anything that would put a load on it as all the load is on the light set wire.

 

[leebo]

You're asking for trouble that way. I've had more problem killing lights cause of bad grounds. On top of that the ground is there for a reason. Get a small "jolt" of power that the wires aren't expecting and you'll need that fire bottle next to you. I do see what you are saying though....the relay is grounded, but the wire from the relay to the switch isn't. If you go to do that at least use a fuse inbetween the two.

BTW....matt, how do I lose my rep of the idiot who burned his lights anyways??? Come up with another story that's worse than that one???? I'll do it you know.

 

[mattadams]

Originally posted by leebo

BTW....matt, how do I lose my rep of the idiot who burned his lights anyways??? Come up with another story that's worse than that one???? I'll do it you know.

Hmm... give me some time, I'll think of something.

 

[leebo]

Matt.....since I'm going to rewire my lights anyways maybe that will add for some funny stories.

I was looking at the setup on your wiring. Since I'm not at 5 sets of wires being ran and plan on adding about another 3 I'm going to add a fuse box to the inside of the truck. I see that is what you have done. Did you just get one at the local parts store or what??? About what was the cost????

 

[Bill Kemp]

Leebo, The switch in the factory wiring is already grounded and it goes through the fuse box on the truck.
If you try to use the "ground wire" that hooked to the lights you create a dead short that will drain the battery in no time flat. This is one of those times when a redundant ground is not a good idea.
I have been doing this for 10+ yrs. on all makes of veh. with no problems.

 

[mattadams]

Originally posted by leebo
Matt.....since I'm going to rewire my lights anyways maybe that will add for some funny stories.

I was looking at the setup on your wiring. Since I'm not at 5 sets of wires being ran and plan on adding about another 3 I'm going to add a fuse box to the inside of the truck. I see that is what you have done. Did you just get one at the local parts store or what??? About what was the cost????

Yeah, its a simply 6-block fuse block, picked it up at checker... I think it was like $8? Bring in one wire that connects on a post then hook upt he switches to each fuse . I've got a total of three of those installed at various locations for all the lights, and switches, and all that crap