Fog lights

[fredandfred]

Thought about getting the OEM fog lights but I want to hook them up as daytime running lights. They would go off once the headlights were turned on. I'm pretty good with electrical stuff but don't have any idea on the wiring setup in the Ridge. Has anyone else gone down this road?

[colorider]

fredandfred wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")Thought about getting the OEM fog lights but I want to hook them up as daytime running lights. They would go off once the headlights were turned on. I'm pretty good with electrical stuff but don't have any idea on the wiring setup in the Ridge. Has anyone else gone down this road?

Do you WANT them to go off when you turn on your headlights? Foglights (if wired properly) only go off when you switch to HI beams.

Moved thread from General

[fredandfred]

Yes. I just wanted them for daytime running lights. I would need to tie into an ignition wire and then the headlamps.

[fredandfred]

Has anyone installed the OEM's and was it a difficult job? Any suggestions on maybe an alternative?

[Ridgeline2006]

I was wondering the same thing. I'm pretty handy, but don't really relish the thought of installing the oem fog lights. Of course, if someone were to say it's not really all that hard to do.....8)

[DopplerDon]

I installed the fog lites myself. A posted a couple pics (front end dissassembled) in my album. If you handy and can follow instructions have at it! Took me 2 cautious hours (cutting the front bumper was the scary part but there was no reason just fear of error). The cut out is well marked on the inside of the bumper. Honda does have several markings on the inside of the bumper for all the different accys. I also installed the lower brush gard. All that said, it is not that difficult, have patience, the correct tools, and read. You should not have a problem if you are confident in your 'handiness'. If you do it post pics!

About modifying the fog lite operation, please remember that lamps are regulated by federal law. That is why they function like they do. :)

[Ridgeline2006]

You make it sound very simple, dopplerdon! Thanks for the encouragement. It's especially nice to hear that it only took you a couple hours.

[DopplerDon]

Ridgeline 2006. So did you do it yet?!?!? :lol:
I installed the following assys on my RL myself. Honda did a very good job in the design and ease of install.
Fog Lites
Trailer Hitch
Lower brush guard
Air deflector
Moonroof air deflector
Side steps
Interior metalic trim
Tail light trim
Under seat tray

I am patiently awaiting the IPOD kit. When will it all end??!?!?

[Ridgeline2006]

I installed the roof rack and trailer hitch on mine. I would've put on the side steps but never could make up my mind about 'steps' vs 'boards.' I was going to stop at the dealer today to get the fog lights (I'm into the instant satisfaction thing!) but then decided to order on-line to save few bucks. Haven't placed the order....yet! 8)

[Waterbug]

fredandfred wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
Yes. I just wanted them for daytime running lights. I would need to tie into an ignition wire and then the headlamps.

Well a good source for the ignition wire is the fuse to the power outlets. That's the only place that it goes and it goes off with the ignition. There has been little discussion about that circuit already. It comes off one of the under hood fuse panels. If you used that for + you'd need a ground that goes open or + when the head lamps came on or a normally closed relay that could open a ground when the headlights came on. The same type of normally closed relay could be used to open the + from the power jack circuit when the headlights came on. Switching the + with the relay is probably the better choice of the two.

[colorider]

Ridgeline2006 wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")I installed the roof rack and trailer hitch on mine. I would've put on the side steps but never could make up my mind about 'steps' vs 'boards.' I was going to stop at the dealer today to get the fog lights (I'm into the instant satisfaction thing!) but then decided to order on-line to save few bucks. Haven't placed the order....yet! 8)

I'm still considering them. Let me know what you come up with for the "best" price.

:)

[Canoeman]

I really like my fog lights on.
They really light up the edges of the road and make driving on windy roads at night a pleasure. I live in the desert and when driving on desert mountain roads, I always turn on the fog lights, they make a huge difference.
I would think twice about changing the set up.
Im very glad that I had them installed. 8)

[mailman]

hello! i am new to this site and need some help with fog lights. they installed in the bumper with no problem,but i can't seem to get them to go on. i know there is some confusion with the red/green wire to fuse box under hood.anyone out there with some tips to get these to #$%%^&^ work???? I really hate to go to the dealer since i installed them myself. HELP!!!!!!!! thanks

[Chad]

Ugh.. you're not supposed to drive with foglights on. They're not supposed to even turn on with normal headlights. You DON'T see better...

From PIAA:
What is the difference between a fog light & a driving light?
Fog lights provide illumination forward of the vehicle that enhances visibility in fog, rain, snow, or dust. Fog lights are intended to be used in conjunction with standard headlamp low beams. Driving lights are mounted to provide illumination forward of the vehicle and intended to supplement the high beam of a standard headlamp system. It is not intended for use alone or with the low beam of a standard headlamp system.

And from Daniel Stern Lighting:
In clear conditions, more foreground light is not a good thing, it’s a bad thing. Some foreground light is necessary so you can use your peripheral vision to see where you are relative to the road edges, the lane markings and that pothole 10 feet in front of your left wheels. But foreground light is far less safety-critical than light cast well down the road into the distance, because at any significant speed (much above 30 mph), what’s in the foreground is too close for you to do much about. If you increase the foreground light, your pupils react to the bright, wide pool of light by constricting, which in turn substantially reduces your distance vision—especially since there’s no increase in down-the-road distance light to go along with the increased foreground light. It’s insidious, because high levels of foreground light give the illusion, the subjective impression, of comfort and security and “good lighting”.

Plus, pretty much all states limit forward lighting to 55 watts of power with oncoming traffic. Which is met 100% by your normal low beams. So anything else you add is in effect high beams. I know you want to look cool using your foglights and all so much that you completely disregard all the other drivers on the road but...