wiring up offroad lights

ChadRat · Post by **ChadRat** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:06 pm

I am cleaning up the wiringin on my rail. I would like to know the best way to wire up some lights. I have a switch with a wire coming from power source. Should I have 2 wires coming off the other side of the switch to the lights or one wire and tee it off some how closer to the lights. What gauge wire do I use? If I need a tee then what kind of tee. I want to fuse the power side. What size fuse should I use? Thanks!

Ol'fogasaurus · Post by **Ol'fogasaurus** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:10 pm

Are you planning on running a relay for the lights?

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:19 pm

definaltely relay.. I tried it without them once.. ended up rewiring the entire car.. hopfeuly you're smarter than I am/was.

KC lights have neat little relay kits.

Ol'fogasaurus · Post by **Ol'fogasaurus** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:29 pm

I usually use a relay or dimmer switch (does the same thing) but I have done it without a relay. I just did not see you mention it in your post and was checking. Lee

ChadRat · Post by **ChadRat** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:01 am

what kind of relay? how would you wire it up?

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:42 am

Chad..

If we can buy a little time with you.. someone here has the EXACT answer.

Bob is busy.. if we're lucky we can ask him to quick do some very quick answer.. Desert is willing to do a drawing.

Do you have a wattage spec yet on your lights.. this will impact the relay.

ChadRat · Post by **ChadRat** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:20 am

I won't get to work on it until the weekend. I got my lights from harbor freight. 55w H3 bulb

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=47394

Ol'fogasaurus · Post by **Ol'fogasaurus** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:40 am

There are specific relays for lights and ususally have wiring diagrams with them.

CopperBaja · Post by **CopperBaja** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:27 pm

ChadRat wrote:I won't get to work on it until the weekend. I got my lights from harbor freight. 55w H3 bulb

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=47394

Keep us posted on how well their endurance is....I'm planning on getting a few of those, after I order my light bar.

Oh...and just found the site I was looking for. Here's the info you need.
http://www.offroaders.com/info/tech-cor ... wiring.htm

FYI, if you are looking for these relays, they're called Bosch relays. You can buy them expensively, or go to your local pick-a-part and grab a few out of some newer cars.

*EDIT* I see you already know about these relays....

http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=106224

ChadRat · Post by **ChadRat** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:33 pm

They have held up pretty good. I used them all last season with no problems. I did replace the little nuts that holds the outside ring on with lock nuts.

CopperBaja · Post by **CopperBaja** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:38 pm

ChadRat wrote:They have held up pretty good. I used them all last season with no problems. I did replace the little nuts that holds the outside ring on with lock nuts.

Cool. Good to know. $15 is a HELLUVA lot better than $30+ each.

The Wild Kids · Post by **The Wild Kids** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:39 pm

I have those same lights and have survived for three years no problems and I don't have a relay at all. I do need to get another lense as a rock or limb has cracked one but it isn't busted all the way through or anything.
Good buy in my opinioin.

The Wild kids

Post by **2088 bob** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:06 am

Ohms law tells us that the theoretical current in this circuit should be 9.16, amps ........ amps=watts divided by volts 55 x2 = 110 /12 =9.16 . just to show you how much change a 1.5 volt increase can make, calculate it this way 110 watts divided by 13.5 volts = 8.14 amps

this current draw can normally be handled by the average good to excellent quality toggle switch and 14 ga wire is of sufficient size to handle this load

if you are asking advice on how to route the wiring for these lights , bring a wire back to the switch from both lights and make your joint at the switch that way if something happens to one side of the car at least you have a chance of keeping one light up and running

if for some reason you smoke a toggle switch let us know and we will explore the relay method

and lastly a 15 amp fuse between the power source and your switch should provide adequate protection for this circuit 15 amps is also the upper safe working limit for 14 gauge wire according to national electrical safety codes

Ol'fogasaurus · Post by **Ol'fogasaurus** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:56 am

One of the reasons I recommended a relay is that I have run into people that run their lights through the ignition switch. Also, some people try to use one switch to control too many lights. If you do or are planning on doing this, you are going to push the AMP limit of the switch. By using a relay, you are able to do a low voltage draw through the switch especially if you are using multiple sets of lights.

I just think is it a good habit to get into also.

Lee

CopperBaja · Post by **CopperBaja** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:28 am

And, of course, always carry an extra relay in your toolbox.