Help with aftermarket lights, where to tap for power...

Hey guys,

I've got some cheap-ass 55w lights that I wanted to wire up. I have the grounds under control already.

I'm wondering about current draw, and where/how to tap in for power. I know there's a few open fuses on the fuse block. Should I try to use one of these, and if so, how?

The on/off switch is on the panel with the gear selector. I was going to run a power lead from the fuse block (passenger kick panel) to the gear selector. What's the "proper" way to wire it into the fuse block? I know I could ghetto-rig it, and sandwich a frayed end of bare wire under a fuse, but I'd rather not do that. What's the "correct" way?!

As for current draw...55w / 12v = ~4.6 amps per light, correct? So if i wired them separate, 5 or 7.5 amp fuses should work, or if I wired them together, 10 or 15 amp fuses should work. Is this correct?

Help me. My head hurts.

go directly to the battery! for + AND - (FOR optimal light output)




...via a relay and inline fuse, of course!

yes. run power thru a relay as close to the battery as possible, and power the relay off the fuse block in cab where your switch is. come by andy's tomorrow and i'll lay it out for ya, i even have all the stuff to hook it up.

Quick figuring for current draw...

How many lights and how many watts per light? I'm assuming 2 @ 55W each.

2x55W = 110W. 110W/12VDC (nominal) = 9-1/6A Use a 10A fuse.

This actually gives you a slightly high number for current (the 12VDC "nominal" is actually 13.5-14.0VDC in operation...) but that's just an inbuilt safety factor.

cf: Ohm's Law and Watt's Law - if you're going to do anything more complex than running a new bit of wire to repair a circuit, you should know both of those equations cold.

GrimmJeeper said:

yes. run power thru a relay as close to the battery as possible, and power the relay off the fuse block in cab where your switch is. come by andy's tomorrow and i'll lay it out for ya, i even have all the stuff to hook it up.

Click to expand...

Shit, thanks man! I absolutely HATE electrics. Ugh. And trying to wedge crap through firewalls and dashboards. Double ugh. I really need to take a DC theory class, maybe I wouldn't be so intimidated.

What time are you gonna be over at Andy's?

all day. 9am till he kicks me out if you turn wrenches on my rig i'll do your wiring

GrimmJeeper said:

all day. 9am till he kicks me out if you turn wrenches on my rig i'll do your wiring

Click to expand...

Done.

This should help.

http://www.classictruckshop.com/clubs/earlyburbs/projects/bosch/foglites.htm

GrimmJeeper said:

all day. 9am till he kicks me out if you turn wrenches on my rig i'll do your wiring

Click to expand...

Last time I had to kick him out after he had time to let the trip to "High times Wine Cellars" wear off. haha

Here's my write up from... oh golly... uh... FIVE YEARS ago when Mike and I (mostly Mike) upgraded my wiring harness.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showpost.php?p=124672&postcount=16

I've since dumped the Silverstars as they kept burning out regularly and went to Eurobeam IPF lamps with Fat Boy bulbs.

http://www.dpgoffroad.com/IPF_Headlamps.htm

thats nice Andy, but we are talking about wiring up aux lights not upgrading the stock wiring harness