when installing the piaa 1100x on a car with factory fog lights . do you use all existing wires , in other words is it a plug in and go or do you need to run new wires . thanks !

 

I've been researching this issue myself and am in two minds about it.

According to my calculations, the new lamps should draw a little over 9 amps when illuminated (55 watts each for a total of 110 watts), as compared to the 4+ amps of the stock fog lights (25 watts each for a total of 50 watts).

The stock circuit is protected wth a 10 amp fuse, which is basically twice the current draw of the stock lamps. If you attempt to run the new lamps off the stock circuit, the higher current draw may cause the 10 amp fuse to blow.

Looking at the stock wiring, it appears to be at least 18 guage wire, which is more than sufficient for carrying at least a 17 amp load. 16 guage wire can carry about a 20 amp load. That being said, you might get away with installing a 15 amp fuse and running your lights off the stock harness.

The recommended way to wire the lamps is to use the stock wiring as your "trigger" to energize the PIAA lamp relay while using the PIAA-supplied wiring harness to deliver power to the lamps. The PIAA wiring is much more robust and far more capable of handling the increased electrical load of the PIAA lamps. Here's a link to a document that explains things a little further: PIAA Light Install

I'm still not sure how I'll connect mine up (I should receive my PIAAs today), but I'm leaning towards using the PIAA harness.

 

thanks john i should recive mine tomorrow happy lighting to us

 

Woosch is the PIAA master...look him up. He has done 15 or more installs.