Wiring Lights

plainsranger · May 12, 2009

Hey all,

I know a little about 12v electrics in trucks, but not really that sure thus the reason for the thread.

Am gonna be wiring up some 12v bed lights and just want to make sure i do it right. Can I just run wire from the fuse box to the switch and then from switch to the lights, or should i run a wire from battery with inline fuse to switch and then to the lights? Have 2 strands of lights each with an output of 33 watts (package info).

So any of you electrical gurus out there that can help me it would be very much appreciated as i really don't want to burn up the ranger or myself anytime soon by doing it wrong.

Thanks all

daniel3507 · May 12, 2009

sorry i cant help you out with your question but pics are a MUST when you get this project done. im wanting to do something like this also

plainsranger · May 12, 2009

daniel3507 said:
sorry i cant help you out with your question but pics are a MUST when you get this project done. im wanting to do something like this also

I promise i will post pics when i get it done

Sasquatch_Ryda · May 12, 2009

You want to use a relay for this, not just a switch.

Have 12v fused power from the battery going to the relay (put the fuse right close to the battery)

Ground the relay.

Run an output wire from the relay to your lights, and then you will need to find a 12v source inside the cab at the fuse box and run that through the switch and then to the relay as a trigger wire.

plainsranger · May 12, 2009

Sasquatch_Ryda said:
You want to use a relay for this, not just a switch.

Have 12v fused power from the battery going to the relay (put the fuse right close to the battery)

Ground the relay.

Run an output wire from the relay to your lights, and then you will need to find a 12v source inside the cab at the fuse box and run that through the switch and then to the relay as a trigger wire.

Sasquatch,

Thanks for the info so far. But have two easy ones for you or anyone else.
1. How big of a fuse in battery wire,
2. How big of a fuse in the fuse box, (i don't think this matters, but just want to cover my buttocks if you know what i mean.

Sasquatch_Ryda · May 13, 2009

For just the 2 lights a 20 amp fuse should be fine for the 12v battery source.

The 12v source for the switch can be tapped off of pretty much anything as its not actually powering anything and doesn't need to be fused, it's just activating the the magnetic coil in the relay so the relay can switch the 12v source from the battery on.

Earl43P · May 13, 2009

Go to the HELP and/or wiring area of any good AP store.
Get a fuse add-on and use that. For the 66 watt load, use a 7.5A fuse.
Run the wire down the framerail and put ribbed loom covers at each attaching point, well secured with plastic zip ties.

Assuming your switch will be in the bed, not the cab, run the wire out through a taillight opening into the bed or wherever/however you choose.

http://www.generation-edge.info/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=313

Wiring Lights

plainsranger

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daniel3507

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plainsranger

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Sasquatch_Ryda

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plainsranger

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Sasquatch_Ryda

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Earl43P

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