Community Forums

Dancing Bear · 10-12-2010, 08:32 AM

Has anyone figured out how to get the fog lamps to stay on when you use your high beams?

Thanks...

RustyJC · 10-12-2010, 08:36 AM

I suspect you're aware that there's a reason they don't as delivered from the factory - having any auxiliary lighting (driving lights, fog lamps, etc.) illuminated at the same time as the high beams is illegal in Texas and many (most?) other states.

The mod is very easy, but I personally prefer to avoid the roadside conversations with the nice gentlemen in the black and white cars with the funny lights.

Just sayin'........

YMMV.

Rusty

Dancing Bear · 10-12-2010, 08:42 AM

I concur, however, sure nice to be able to have a choice of using all available lights, especially when pulling into camps. Fog lights seem to fill in the very large dark area immediatley in front of coach in these situations.

Can always turn them off when not needed...

OneRVer · 10-12-2010, 09:51 AM

Have you every wired up a light in your home?

RustyJC · 10-12-2010, 09:52 AM

Well, then, with that caveat, understand that I can't speak specifically to the Monaco circuit since I don't have access to a wiring diagram, but most of these circuits use a relay to switch main power from the parking lamp circuit - this means that power is available to the fog lamp relay contacts whenever the fog lamp switch is activated and the parking lamps are on, which is usually always whenever the headlamp switch is activated.

The relay is usually wired as a normally closed relay - this means that, in a de-energized state, the contacts are closed and the parking lamp power flows through the closed contacts to the fog lamps. The switching circuit of the relay when wired in this configuration is then tied to the high beam circuit of the headlights such that, when the high beams are energized, power flows through the relay's switching circuit, the relay is energized, the normally closed contacts open and power is interrupted to the fog lamps. When the high beams are switched off, switching power to the relay is no longer present, the relay is deactivated to its normally closed position and power is restored to the fog lamps.

There are variants of this wiring scheme, but this is one of the simplest and most commonly used. Using a test lamp or meter, you should be able to verify if this is the one you're dealing with. If you verify that the relay on your MH is indeed wired to this convention, then you can wire a switch into the high beam switching circuit to the relay. When the switch is closed, the fog lamps will operate normally. When the switch is open, no high beam switching power can flow to the relay, it will always stay in the normally closed position, and the fog lamps will be illuminated whenever the fog lamp switch is activated and the parking lamps are on, regardless of the high beam setting of the headlights.

Rusty

BHEMOTH · 10-12-2010, 01:31 PM

Many owners have replaced their fog lights with driving lights, Bosch, PIAA, and have replaced their headlight bulbs for improved low beam driving. If you choose to do likewise you may need additional relays to prevent your existing wiring from over heating.

MotionGrantd · 10-12-2010, 11:21 PM

I've switched the low beams to sylvania silverstar ultras, but still have a hard time at night with low beams in the twisty roads. I'm considering an HID conversion kit, but would like to know more about the fog lamp replacement. Is there anything that bolts into the stock location that works really good?

Ed S · 10-13-2010, 05:25 PM

I hade a 06 Endeavor wit the same problem. I replaced the fog lights with Hella driving lights and adjusted them up a bit and wow!!. My vote is Hella lights.

SpursMVP · 10-13-2010, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BHEMOTH

Many owners have replaced their fog lights with driving lights, Bosch, PIAA, and have replaced their headlight bulbs for improved low beam driving. If you choose to do likewise you may need additional relays to prevent your existing wiring from over heating.

Bingo...that's what we did with our Endeavor. The driving lamps are much easier to adjust than the headlights and between the 2 pairs....actually lights up the road enough to see without blinding the oncoming traffic. Don't get much fog here in Texas.

MCDDY · 10-15-2010, 08:37 AM

When our coach came from the factory it was wired so that the fog/driving lights would only operate with the high beams on. Evidently Monaco didn't bother to check any state laws. While at a rally where Monaco Techs were doing their thing, anyone remember those days, I asked about that and he commented that it was easy. Opened the front compartment where all the fuses are, pulled out a relay, pulled 1 wire out of a socket and put it into another on the same relay and then said go try it. It's now totally a stand alone unit, day, night, rain or shine.
Of course the manual also didn't say anything about activating the DRL with 1 sweep of the wipers. They'll stay on till you turn the key off.

Dave