Wiring Hellas 500 with or without relay

[stringmachine]

I am installing hellas 500's Fog, I researched the wiring diagram provided. It shows running a wire to the low beams. I want to wire around. So Do I just skip using the relay, run a hot wire to the switch and ground to otherside. and feed from lights or do I use diagram and run wire going to low beams somewhere else, on the relay
Or leave the wire to the low beams tucked away.

[KD7NAC_07FJ]

HIGHLY recommend running it through a relay unless you go out and get a 40+ amp switch. You might end up with a melted switch or worse a burnt FJ if you don't. The relay protects the switch from the higher amperage required by the lights.

[daToy]

You should always use a relay in a lighting system. You want the shortest wire run from the battery to the lights so you have the least voltage drop, hence more light. A relay also allows you to run a small gauge wire into the passenger compartment which is always easier.

[5150 Cruiser]

KD7NAC_07FJ previously said:

HIGHLY recommend running it through a relay unless you go out and get a 40+ amp switch. You might end up with a melted switch or worse a burnt FJ if you don't. The relay protects the switch from the higher amperage required by the lights.

Agreed. The wire that hooks up to the low beam is just a "trigger" that will run to the switch, witch switches on the relay.

[Taz]

As mentioned, you SHOULD run it through a relay. If you don't both your low beams and fogs will suffer reduced performance. The stock Yota wires are barely adequate as it is let alone adding more current draw to them. Don't forget to fuse the circuit too for safety.

If you did this without the relay, it probably would work but you would likely blow a fuse for the stock lights. Then when you replaced that, you might notice your stock wires getting warm (depending on the bulbs you have in the Hellas). They could melt and possibly short out.

This is one area where you don't want to shortcut. A relay and fuse is cheap and you will have better performance and safety.

[turnfab]

just run that wire to the fuse for you parking lights it serves the same purpose and the wire is easier to run from the switch that way they will come on with just the side lights

and yes do run the relay