Ok - So I installed my new LoD bumper with fog lights and - following the diagram listed here "https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18357&highlight=wiring" wired them up (did not have existing factory fogs) - Now - I wanted to be able to turn on the fogs w/o having my low beams or parks or anything else on - just the ignition switch - i.e. - when I turned the ignition off - if I forgot to turn off the cab mounted switch - the lights would go off. I scoured this forum and found two things which - I thought - meant the same thing. I found a lot of folks that where tapping into the fuse box and others simply mentioning a "switched ignition source" - In my ignorance - I thought that by tapping into a fuse for the signal source for my relay - the relay would only get supplied power when the ignition was on - apparently this is not true! Every fuse I tap into has power regardless of whether the ignition is on or not (this is how a fuse box works I guess?) - So - by switched ignition source - I am understanding that this actually means splicing into a WIRE for a switched ignition source - I've seen a lot of folks tapping into the cig lighter.

So - Am I simply mis-understaning all this? Is there a way to have a switched ign source from the fuse box or do I have to splice into an existing wire (which - to the obviously electrically challegened- sounds a little iffy)?

I mean - my lights work as I have them wired now - only it does not matter whether I have the ignition on or off and I'd really like to not have them able to come on if the ignition is off - Sorry for the long post - Enlightenment is appreciated in advance!!!!!

 

I think you confused me and i know what i am doing

Well there are 2 ways you can do this, i know there is an actual ignition wire in the main fuse box next to the battery underhood. i cant recal what space # it was but if you are standing at the front of the Jeep it is in the back right corner. It has a spade terminal sticking up and that is switched 12v You can also use the cig lighter if you are just driving a relay Dont use the cig lighter to power the lights Hope that helps some. Post a pic when you are done

 

Ok - I just went and looked at my fuse box - on the right hand side - facing the jeep - I have a 10 and then a 15 amp fuse and then a blank spot with two prongs sticking up and then two square 25 amp fuses - when you say a spade terminal - I take it that's the two prongs? I took my little 12v tested and one prong is hot w/ the ignition switched on - the other prong is not regardless of whether the switch is on or off. So - should I get a terminal to attach to the spade and run that as my signal to the relay - I'll try that later today and post pic's of everything else - I've been know to confuse folks before!!! - thanks for your help and if I'm on the right track - let me know - thanks again!!!!!

NewJKInNC

 

Sounds about right, i believe that is a fuse location for heated seats, keep in mind that wire isnt fused or if it is its at around 30-40 amps. It would normally run through 10-15 amp then inside to w/e was supposed to be hooked to it, so id stick a 15amp inline before the relay. Put the wire in the fuse box, then into the 15a fuse and then into the relay

 

Ok - So I'm still among the un-educated I connected a wire to each of the prongs in the empty slot on the 1st row on the right facing the jeep - There is a 15 amp, then a 10 amp - then an empty slot with two prongs and then two square 25 amps. This is the slot I thought you are referring to - After connecting a wire to each and then running the two wires together - I still get power even though the vehicle is switched off :-( so obviously I'm still not in the right place or am still doing something wrong - consider me still confused in NC!

 

eh no, i am sorry if i was vague in my description. One pin in that empty spot should be ignition power the other should be nothing. You are only using the one ignition pin in this application NOT both terminals that are there

Run that power wire as the power wire to your relay fused inline at 15 amps. As in take the single wire and put a fuse on that wire before directly connecting it to the relay on pin 86. On your switch you have 2 or 3 pins, run one lead to ground and one lead to pin 85 of the relay. This way the switch provides the ground to the ignition power. If the switch is on it will not get 12v unless the key is on.

 

First - thanks a LOT for all the help/patience - I'll try this tomorrow when I get home!! - thanks again.....!

 

Ok - so success at last - used the 20amp heated seat fuse with a fuse tapper - life is now good! To see pics - goto http://www.dragonware.us/ and click on the Gallery and look for the Jeep JK album - thanks for all the help!

 

James, I followed this thread and your advice for a power source (for off-road lights) that turns off when the ignition is turned off applies to myself also.

When I ran a wire from that same spare fuse terminal you suggested (NEWJKINNC pics with the arrow and your description are clear) I get constant power whether the ignition is on or off A multimeter also confirmed constant power - any suggestions pls ? Did I mis-read the posts above ?

many thanks

 

i rechecked this a day or so ago, and found there is no ignition fuse anywhere in that box. There are several Accessory fuses and several 12v. I am at a loss