Fog lamps?
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
Joined
·
9,953 Posts
I don't have a Chevy Volt, but I have a Chevy Equinox with fog lamps and DRL. The DRL is the low beam setting of the main headlamos, which I had replaced the factory incandescents with LEDs. You may replace the DRL lamps with HID or LED lamps and get a bright output instead. I do drive in foggy weather but the new LED lamps are bright enough so I never need or use the factory fog lamps at all.
Joined
·
926 Posts
I don't understand, you want to keep the DRL running but instead of LEDs, replace them with fog lamps? So you'd be running fog lamps almost all the time when driving regardless of weather? I would think fog lamps would suck lots of energy versus the LED DRL currently on the Volt.
Unless you meant to wire a separate switch for the fog lamps and house them in the DRL housing.
Unless you meant to wire a separate switch for the fog lamps and house them in the DRL housing.
Joined
·
4,230 Posts
The latter. Possibly removing some of the DRL LEDs and put in fog lamp LEDs pointed appropriately. As low as the Volt sits even the low beams with their sharp cutoff will cause serious light reflection in heavy snow or fog. I'm looking to light up only a foot to two feet above the road surface to prevent this reflection.
Joined
·
10,056 Posts
I can think of a couple of reasons you wouldn't want to do this but here's the big one. The beam from a fog light should be low and wide - emphasis on wide. I don't think the DRL housing/reflector is shaped for this. In fact from what I've seen of OEM LED DRLs in general, they have almost zero side spill.
How would you power these? I would assume you'd want them on their own switch, and only on when the headlights are on.
How would you power these? I would assume you'd want them on their own switch, and only on when the headlights are on.
I'd also like to find such a replacement, if it exists. Perhaps during development, there were some lights made and tested. Please GM, lets have 'em.
I've noted that the front indicators have a beam pattern, which supports the above.
I'd thought of using them as fogs with only a wiring alteration similar to switchbacks but without the colour change. I like good coloured fog lights.
My understanding of the design of fog lights, (at least in earlier iterations), is that the colour is chosen to reduce reflected glare from fog, (which scatters and returns more blue light, hence the sky being blue), and that yellow or orange colour is preferred because it cuts further into the fog, (hence sunsets being yellow, orange and red)
Also, I disagree with local rules which require headlight low beams be actively on with fogs, because I also understand one of the reasons for separate fog lights is that they avoid the reflected glare created by headlights. If they're on too, then the glare is there, rendering the fog lights much less effective. I have tested this to confirm.
I've noted that the front indicators have a beam pattern, which supports the above.
I'd thought of using them as fogs with only a wiring alteration similar to switchbacks but without the colour change. I like good coloured fog lights.
My understanding of the design of fog lights, (at least in earlier iterations), is that the colour is chosen to reduce reflected glare from fog, (which scatters and returns more blue light, hence the sky being blue), and that yellow or orange colour is preferred because it cuts further into the fog, (hence sunsets being yellow, orange and red)
Also, I disagree with local rules which require headlight low beams be actively on with fogs, because I also understand one of the reasons for separate fog lights is that they avoid the reflected glare created by headlights. If they're on too, then the glare is there, rendering the fog lights much less effective. I have tested this to confirm.
Joined
·
4,230 Posts
On their own separate switch independent of the headlights. If you use "white" fog lights no one will pull you over in dense fog or falling snow conditions because your main headlights aren't on. They'll be able to see you but not that you're running just the fog lamps.
I took a look at the DRL housing and think it would work. No, it won't provide the wide beam that traditional fog lamps do, but it could certainly handle far brighter LEDs and point them properly.
Joined
·
10,056 Posts
Moving on to reason #2 then - mounting issues? I'll be very interested to see how that works out even if I don't have a gen 2. Take lots of photos please.
Joined
·
926 Posts
Would mounting the fog lamps where the VoltScreen would go be acceptable? Seems you have a lot of holes and structure there to take advantage of. Then run a switch back to your dash some how.
Joined
·
561 Posts
Be sure you get FOG NO SPOT, easy project, I use it ,as additional day light to save the HID for full night use...I had to remove a small piece of the Volt Screen behind, so they will not protude outside the fender.(see picture).Good Luck.
Attachments
Joined
·
10,056 Posts
Obermd has a gen 2 guys. It's a bit more of a challenge.
Joined
·
4,230 Posts
So I did a little more digging. No one has produced fogs for the gen 2 yet. However the gen 2 DRL housing is a single unit with the LED strips and the dark plastic cover just to the inboard of the LEDs both part of the unit. It's more than wide enough for standard fog lamps so I suspect it will simply be a matter of time before the aftermarket light makers produce drop in replacements for this housing.
Joined
·
4,890 Posts
Joined
·
4,230 Posts
I like it.
Joined
·
926 Posts
This is roughly what I was thinking of. I was gonna use zip-ties vice bolting to the bumper. Maybe secure with a clamp? I assume you had to run the switch wire through a firewall into the cabin? Or do they make wireless editions that can toggle the fog lamps wirelessly?
Joined
·
561 Posts
Yes through the firewall,,,probably is not worth it if you do a bright LED" switchback " of the yellow front lights that gives you a good lateral light. Regards.
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
