Relays necessary if not using toggle switches?

[slaughterrt]

I am mounting 4 50watts on the stock crossbar on my 99 XLT. I am planning to run the running a set of positive and a negative wires for each pair of lights down to the battery. I am going to have the negatives grounded all the time, but am going to have a quick disconnect clamp at the battery for the positives. I am going to leave the positives disconnected except for when I need the lights. My assumption is that since I won't be running anything off of a toggle, and no wires will be behind the dash or inside my car, I will not need a relay. I do not have to worry about anything catching fire since it will be disconnected most of the time, plus I won't have to worry about the battery being sucked dry. If anyone has any input, then please let me know. It's nice weather tomorrow, so I would like to work on it then.
One more question, is there a good place to tie in my ground wires up on the roof? Maybe the roof track bolts? Just curious, I have plenty of wire so that won't be a problem. I was just looking for the easiest method. Thanks guys and look forward to some responses.

Edit: The positives will have inline fuses in them, obviously.

 

[Bill Kemp]

I really dont see a problem with what you have described. If you have plenty of ground wire then just run it also to the battery. If not that any good bare metal point will do.
Personally, it sounds like it will be a PIA to use the lights. Only time will tell.
Just make sure you have the correct gauge wire for the lights.
See: http://www.rallylights.com/hella/SensibleWiring.aspx As noted the 10 gauge is probably overkill and a ***** to work with.

Bet ya that when it warms up and if you use the lights much your gonna add a relay & switch.

 

[Tbars4]

..:scratch:...You will not have a switch at all??

...Just jump out of the truck and plug them into the battery??

 

[Bill Kemp]

..:scratch:...You will not have a switch at all??

...Just jump out of the truck and plug them into the battery??

Thats the way I took it.......

 

[Tbars4]

..Have you looked at this thread?
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=203037

..I bought a pack of 2 lights that came with a switch and in line fuses for $7.50 each pair on sale...They are $14.99 a pair off sale...Might not be the best but they are cheap and easily replaceable...Might be an option..

...There are a few threads in the lighting section that also deal with lights on baskets and luggage racks that also show their wiring and use of quick disconnects...

 

[Bill Kemp]

..Have you looked at this thread?
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=203037

..I bought a pack of 2 lights that came with a switch and in line fuses for $7.50 each pair on sale...They are $14.99 a pair off sale...Might not be the best but they are cheap and easily replaceable...Might be an option..

...There are a few threads in the lighting section that also deal with lights on baskets and luggage racks that also show their wiring and use of quick disconnects...

So...???

 

[Tbars4]

So...???

..I do not get your question?

..If the OP has not seen the thread I linked him to, he may find it and the other threads in it's first post useful...

..The OP did not specify he has already purchased lights. If he has not yet purchased them, he can go and see the lights in that thread which also come with a switch that can be purchased for $7.50....This would be useful if he was trying to save the cost of approx. $5.99 per switch while also being rated 5 watts higher than he had mentioned per light, and they are hallogen..

..My reference to the quick disconnects in others threads found in the lighting section here could have been explained better...These disco's could be useful for the removal of the basket while still retaining the wiring.

...I thought that would fall under ...

I was just looking for the easiest method.

...I am now confused too...If this or my previous post are not useful, please delete..

 

[slaughterrt]

Yeah, thats about what I paid for the lights, I got mine at Harbor Freight. I just don't expect to use them that much but I like to have them in case. Also I definitely like the look of the lights mounted up there, so even if I don't use them that much, it is still worth it to me. And if I do end up using them a lot, then I'll just grab a couple relays and wire it up, no biggy. It's just a project I have been wanting to do for a while, and have some time to do it.

 

[wrigley_1285]

i would suggest going ahead and installing switches and relays. you're already going to be putting in the time to install the lights so you might as well take the extra step while you're all ready working on it. it would seem like a PITA having to jump out of the truck to turn on the lights, esecially if your in bad weather. but that's just my two cents.

 

[Bill Kemp]

My mistake...

 

[slaughterrt]

It's all good. Thanks guys for the advice.