Who knows about the Red/black lead under the BX seat? ( years back it was there)

[Tollster]

I believe I have supplied power under my BX23 seat, and wish to run some fog lamps up to the rops ( got the alternator upgrade, whole good years back). I poked around here looking for older threads, but really could not weed through them all the aux light pictures.

Anyway, I believe the lead runs back under the dash to the only 20 amp fuse in the block, but not really sure? If that is indeed the case, I believe I can run off of that lead with a splice near the fuse block to the switch near the steering wheel, then up to the lamps with no relay?
I did find what I believe are the two leads, one Red/Black and the other Black with bullet connectors, thinking size 14 or 16, taped to the harness above the fuel tank?

The Hella fog lamps are pre-wired, but the directions show the use of the relay, and both diagrams show the fogs with switchable power going through the running lights, or the headlamps. Would this be the reason for a relay device?
Thank you,
Tol

 

[ehenry]

Its the same on my bx22.....12 volts.

 

[AStanton]

The Hella fog lamps are pre-wired, but the directions show the use of the relay, and both diagrams show the fogs with switchable power going through the running lights, or the headlamps. Would this be the reason for a relay device?

I don't know if you are stuck using your lights with the relay. I just installed some LED Rigid lights on my pick-up and they don't use a relay. Here's a shot of the ones I put on for aux. back up lights. They don't draw much current and with the new computers on the vehicles you have to be careful where you tie in. Otherwise you can get an error message from the computer. These lights are the floods.

 

[dsmiley]

The Hella fog lamps are pre-wired, but the directions show the use of the relay, and both diagrams show the fogs with switchable power going through the running lights, or the headlamps. Would this be the reason for a relay device?
Thank you,
Tol

Relays are used to control high current devices with low current switches. If your switch amperage rating is greater than the load, then no relay is necessary.

 

[PeterK]

Relays can also be used to move the power closer to the device so that power loss over longs runs (like from a switch) are minimized. We do this in classic cars to keep the old-style headlights brighter and it does make a difference.

 

[Tollster]

Great points, I pulled a few wiring diagrams off the web and hit the marine shop for a water proof switch for the lower dash. Will be using the relay as well.
Thank you for you help
Tol in NEPA