[Malakite]

Me again guys lol - I have purchased some spotlights for my TF 135. I had thought that the wiring would already be in the cars as I thought they came ready? Is it hiding somewhere, or do I need to but a separate loom and add etc - and if so, has anyone done this before?

Many thanks

 

[Chris T]

If the TF is an early 02 TF then you maybe in luck with the loom other wise you will need to buy on make one.

Not sue how you are going to attach the fog lights to the bumper but if you go for the OEM brackets make sure that you get the correct type for your bumper (it depends if the black insert is painted or self coloured)

 

[Malakite]

If the TF is an early 02 TF then you maybe in luck with the loom other wise you will need to buy on make one.

Not sue how you are going to attach the fog lights to the bumper but if you go for the OEM brackets make sure that you get the correct type for your bumper (it depends if the black insert is painted or self coloured)

Hi Chris, it's an '03. It has 3 screw holes so looks like the lights just screw straight in without the need for a bracket?

 

[Chris T]

If my memory is correct if the black part of the bumper is painted you will not need a bracket but if it self coloured you will need a bracket.

 

[Hobby]

I presume you talking about the fog lights and not spots as such. You should have spare switches on the consul or if not two blanks. I fitted spots with an mgf switch from the scrappies. I wired it separately with a relay to the spots and switch.

 

[Malakite]

wow very nice! Yes sorry I am referring to the front fog lights at the bottom of the bumper.. any ideas on wiring?

 

[Hobby]

If you have bought the fogs did you get any wires? If not buy a relay fit it under the front bonnet there is a bracket by the fuse box to secure it. Get wiring from the motor factor's about 8.0 metres black and red. Get a switch from an mgf from scrap yard. Bring all to the Auto Elec. If your not electrically minded. I wired everything up and then got the electrician to take the feed from the fuse box under the steering wheel.

 

[Malakite]

If you have bought the fogs did you get any wires? If not buy a relay fit it under the front bonnet there is a bracket by the fuse box to secure it. Get wiring from the motor factor's about 8.0 metres black and red. Get a switch from an mgf from scrap yard. Bring all to the Auto Elec. If your not electrically minded. I wired everything up and then got the electrician to take the feed from the fuse box under the steering wheel.

thanks mate I will look into it

 

[Truckyboy]

I'm not a great electrician..so always prefer to use qualified people.

 

[Man in the Car]

As the front fogs were a dealer-fit accessory, I would be surprised if some of the necessary wiring is not alreadyn present in the loom (that is certainly the case for other cars on the MG Rover range).

If it was built after 17th June 2003, it will have the Pektron SCU and the front fogs will need to be enabled in the SCU for them to work within the vehicle systems (either using a dealer/Rover specialist with a T4, or sending the unit to technozen.

 

[Roverlike]

In case of MGTF with Pektron BCU front fogs do not need enablong as it is case with other MG Rovers.

 

[Malakite]

Hi guys don't laugh but I am still to finish wiring these up - it's a project car and I have not touched it since the bad weather!! I have noticed however that I do need to extend the earth cable on the loom that I purchased, and wondered if anyone knew the best/correct ampage/wire for me to add on as the extension to the chassis?

Many thanks as always!

 

[Roverlike]

Hi guys don't laugh but I am still to finish wiring these up - it's a project car and I have not touched it since the bad weather!! I have noticed however that I do need to extend the earth cable on the loom that I purchased, and wondered if anyone knew the best/correct ampage/wire for me to add on as the extension to the chassis?

Many thanks as always!

This highly depends how many Watts (power) will your spotlights going to have?

 

[IanMc]

To help you, you need to use Ohms Law formula (Google it if you don’t know it), then move the formula around to allow you to calculate the I value (Amps).

The Volt value will be 12v of course, then the Watts will be the output rating of your lights (as Roverlike has already said), then the Amps (I value), will be what your cable has to cope with.

If it works out to say 4 Amps, then go for the next closest wire rating up, say 5 Amps, or whatever it is (I have no idea!)

Oh and don’t forget your fuse rating too 👍

 

[EllisoJo]

Bear in mind that when your engine is running, voltage will actually be 13.4 - 13.6 volts. Also, even if the wattage of your lamps is (say) 40watts (each) then current might NOMINALLY be 40/13.5 i.e. just under 3 amps each light =6 amps total.

However, ordinary incandescent lights work by the filament getting VERY hot. High temperature means high resistance, so I would use a multi-meter on your lamps, to check what the initial resistance is when cold. This will give you the inrush current when the lamps are first switched on Current = Voltage squared divided by resistance 185/R, where R is the resistance you measure in Ohms.

 

[EllisoJo]

OOPs! V squared over R gives Wattage, NOT current. I previously posted in (too much) haste as wife had another job requiring my attention. V/R gives the initial current. R will rise as the bulb lights-up.

 

[Malakite]

Thanks guys - this all seems very over complicated though lol. These are original fog lights for the TF. Does that help lol? I only need about 6ins of length tops