wiring 4 driving lights up to 1 switch?

[pcsullivan91]

hey 97explorerXLT how did the one switch workout?? i got 2 right now and i'm about to change so i can flip em all on in one fell swoop! lemme know.

 

[97GoldXLT]

hey 97explorerXLT how did the one switch workout?? i got 2 right now and i'm about to change so i can flip em all on in one fell swoop! lemme know.

For now I only have 2 attached to one switch.. I'm still getting my funds together for the second set of lights and the mounting brackets for my safari rack!

But it you happen to get all 4 working, let me know! thanks!

 

[pcsullivan91]

OK heres the question. Right now i have my 4 lights installed exactly like this.


My question to you guys is can i wire the 4 lights into one switch like this.



My worries would be whether or not the relays took on power the same strength. If you have any input about this idea please let me know.

(sorry i'm bad at hosting images.)

 

[Bill Kemp]

I think you should splice the parking lamps load (switch) wires together so that the switch activates each relay and then the relay powers the lights.
In other words, keep each system seperate except for the switching of the relays.

 

[Sandy]

My question to you guys is can i wire the 4 lights into one switch like this.

As Bill mentioned.

Each relays should be attached to one pair of Hella Lights via Pin 87.

Both Relays can be activated by the Parking Light wire BUT, there should be a fuse and a Dash Mounted Switch inbetween the parking light wire and the Relays. This is n't a problem just a little extra 18 ga wire, a fuse holder and a switch that matches the interior or anything you want. There will be minimum current on the switch so just about any thing will do.

The Main Power is the same two separate fused lines from the battery to each relay, this will allow one set of lights to work if the other fails.

My worries would be whether or not the relays took on power the same strength. If you have any input about this idea please let me know.

No problem, if you feed the relays each from the battery to Pin 30 each circuit will draw only the amperage that it needs to feed the lights. If the fuse is a 30 amps fuse then the circuit will only draw a little over 30 amps and then the fuse would blow but your circuits will not have a problem.

The relays as stated earlier only draw minimum amperage when activated and there will no problem there.

sorry if this is confusing...

 

[DeRocha]

Post #7 of this thread contains a wiring diagram (below) to correctly wire 2 sets of lights to a single switch. Since this thread is now over 65+posts it is easier to miss.

I don't know how bright they are (brightness depends on how well the light uses the power) but 100w is definitely alot of power. Most 12v relays are only rated for 30A and with four 100w lights the circuit would be over 33.3A (too much for any single fuse or relay). As mentioned by Bill you will need 2 separate relays as shown below to handle the power. By splitting the circuit using 2 relays each wire will need to handle 16.7A. The wires (Red and grounds for the lights) should be either 14ga or 12ga in size.

 

[pcsullivan91]

ahha i see. so the basic anwser im getting here is leave it. thanks.

 

[DeRocha]

ahha i see. so the basic anwser im getting here is leave it. thanks.

Yup.. as mentioned by Sandy and Bill the combined power output from all 4 lights is too much for a single 30A relay. Although you could get a higher rated relay and use larger diameter wires it is IMO better to keep it as indicated in my above diagram.

 

[Sandy]

pcsullivan91,

How did this work out ?

How did you finally wire the lights ?

 

[97GoldXLT]

pcsullivan91,

How did this work out ?

How did you finally wire the lights ?

as of right now, I have 2 on their, I'm paying off some bills first before I stick the second set on my rack!

but I dont have them connected to relays yet, that'll come when the weather gets warmer, they're still pretty damn bright!

I have it battery and remote wire -> to the -> Switch -> to the -> lights, of course everything's grounded, I found the best place to ground wires it if you flip down the back seat and loosen on of the bold and sneak a wire there, I have my lights and my amp grounded there!

 

[Sandy]

as of right now, I have 2 on their, I'm paying off some bills first before I stick the second set on my rack!

I know what that's like, luck.

but I dont have them connected to relays yet, that'll come when the weather gets warmer, they're still pretty damn bright!

The brightness isn't the problem it is the high current running to teh cab and thrugh the switch; could cause a fire.
Yes, you may gain in brightness too but keep the power wires as short as possible and don't forget to fuse the power wire close to the battery, luck.

I have it battery and remote wire -> to the -> Switch -> to the -> lights, of course everything's grounded, I found the best place to ground wires it if you flip down the back seat and loosen on of the bold and sneak a wire there, I have my lights and my amp grounded there!

The best place to ground high current componetns is the battery and yes the body/frame goes back to the battery but the current has to travel through the body, through a small ground strap connecting the body to the engine, then on to the battery via another cable.
Just as easy to run a wire, sized for your current load, back to the battery and be done with it.

Luck on the whole project, good to do thing ourselves.
Any questions just ask but remember "KISS", Keep It Simple Stupid...
The simpler the better.

 

[97GoldXLT]

I know what that's like, luck.



The brightness isn't the problem it is the high current running to teh cab and thrugh the switch; could cause a fire.
Yes, you may gain in brightness too but keep the power wires as short as possible and don't forget to fuse the power wire close to the battery, luck.




The best place to ground high current componetns is the battery and yes the body/frame goes back to the battery but the current has to travel through the body, through a small ground strap connecting the body to the engine, then on to the battery via another cable.
Just as easy to run a wire, sized for your current load, back to the battery and be done with it.

Luck on the whole project, good to do thing ourselves.
Any questions just ask but remember "KISS", Keep It Simple Stupid...
The simpler the better.

haha trust me, it's as simple as it gets, the fuses are pretty much right next to the battery, I found that grounding towards the back took less wire, so I just decided to go with that route.. So far everything works good, I use it on nights with no moon or whatever, I love them! can't wait for the second set!

here's a photo of the front that I took a couple days ago:

 

[Sandy]

I like the look and the rack, nice.

Good Luck on the next set BUT I can't say it enough, get relays in place when you do the next set.

ltr,

 

[97GoldXLT]

I like the look and the rack, nice.

Good Luck on the next set BUT I can't say it enough, get relays in place when you do the next set.

ltr,

oh trust me, thats on the top of my list for when it warms up, since I dont have a heated place to do work in and I cant wear my gloves when I do wiring lol, it's going to look pretty damn good too, thanks again for all the advice!

 

[BWilliams]

I'm planning to do something similar within the near future to add a second set of fogs that are controlled by their own switch, but will only come on with the stock fogs also on.

DeRocha, slightly off-topic, but what program are you using to create those diagrams with the switch state table? I do a lot of wiring diagrams for friends of mine, so that would come in really handy instead of drawing them out by hand.

 

[DeRocha]

I'm planning to do something similar within the near future to add a second set of fogs that are controlled by their own switch, but will only come on with the stock fogs also on.

DeRocha, slightly off-topic, but what program are you using to create those diagrams with the switch state table? I do a lot of wiring diagrams for friends of mine, so that would come in really handy instead of drawing them out by hand.

Mspaint Quick & easy for most things.. Check out the video below of a guy using it to create a "drawing" of a car..

 

[BWilliams]

Well then.. lol. I was hoping that it was a program that let you put together quick-n-easy diagrams. Guess I'm stuck just drawing 'em out then! Thanks!

 

[DeRocha]

Well then.. lol. I was hoping that it was a program that let you put together quick-n-easy diagrams. Guess I'm stuck just drawing 'em out then! Thanks!

MSWord and many other word processing programs have diagrams, flowcharts, and drawing tools.. Very easy to create stuff without resorting to free hand drawings.

 

[BogFather]

OK here's some pics! I took the night ones last night and the day ones like an hour ago, enjoy!

Here's the truck, yes I know, paints all messed up and bumper needs brackets

The lights (bought off of Ebay in a kit) they are REALLY nice, I'm planning on buying another set

For some reason they dont look very bright in this one

This is my favorite

Hey enjoy the lights i have 4 of the same ones on my roof and WOW do they ever brighten the road up when they get lit up.....LOOKIN GOOD

 

[Sandy]

Looking good.

The lights may get a little brighter when you use a relay, eliminating the power going to a switch in the cab and shorten the main power line to the lights.

Luck, ltr