Wiring led backup lights

[frankcal]

So I bought some lights off of ebay for real cheap with the plans of "upgrading" my back up lights. My original plan was to hook up the lights by splicing into the back up lights power source, but decided against that because I wouldn't want them on everytime I back up only when I really need them in the dark, mostly backing out of mine and my parents driveways because there is a lot of obstacles.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-9W-LED-D...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d1523b7a3

Those are the lights I bought off of ebay, right now I got two just to test them out and see if they really worked and plan on buying two more. Got them today and they are really bright so I will be moving ahead with my plan and am buying the other two.

My plan is to mount them on my bumper, basically in the same configuration of explorers have the back up sensors. So this is where I have questions now, with the wiring. I understand the basics of it because I installed 3 hid lights up front. I just want to be safe with them and nut ruin or blow anything. The wires on the lights are really thin, best way to compare would be light #5 led on a mechanical pencil. I am going to run all four wire to one switch on the radio bezel and ground them to where they are going to be bolted on.

Basically what gauge wire would I want to use to run the power from the battery to switch, and from the switch to the actual lights. And what size fuze would i need on it.

Also I want to know if what i have planned is even right to do, which is wiring up 4 lights to one switch and relay. I read up a bit on them and everyone says to only run 2 of them, but I don't think it'll be an issue because each light is only 9watts for a total of 36w which is still less then most of others single lights. Also if anyone has any tips as far as install goes i would really appreciate them. I plan to run the wire through the rear bumper, through the cargo area under the carpet all along the side of the driver side to the back of the stereo, then from the stereo to the battery. Kinda worried about drilling through the bumper, mainly if it'll be fairly easy to do.

Sorry for the very long (essay) type of post but just want to be thorough and give the most info I can give to get the best possible answer and not waste too much time. Thank you in advance for any help or tips. Also any criticism would be nice, just to know if its a dumb idea or if there's anything in my plan that needs fixing.

 

[2000StreetRod]

power requirements

The listing states that the power consumption is ~9 watts at 14 volts (0.1 amp). However, I = P/E so 9/14 = 0.64 amps * 4 lamps = 2.6 amps. Copper wire 17 AWG or larger would handle the total current (I suggest 16 AWG stranded copper wire).
It would be convenient to have the lights activated when the transmission is in reverse and the parking or headlights are on. You could enable the relay with the stock backup light signal controlling power from the parking/headlight power to the LED lights.

 

[DjDom]

You can run them on a single switch, like said above, they're only around 3 amps. I have a much greater load on a single switch in my truck.

I can see these as wonderful for people who tailgate..

 

[frankcal]

The listing states that the power consumption is ~9 watts at 14 volts (0.1 amp). However, I = P/E so 9/14 = 0.64 amps * 4 lamps = 2.6 amps. Copper wire 17 AWG or larger would handle the total current (I suggest 16 AWG stranded copper wire).
It would be convenient to have the lights activated when the transmission is in reverse and the parking or headlights are on. You could enable the relay with the stock backup light signal controlling power from the parking/headlight power to the LED lights.

Thank you for the knowledge and good answer, electronics are not my strong suit and actually kind of intimidate me so it's always comforting to get help. As far as wiring up a relay, I'm not too confident in my abilities to do that so I'm just basically going for the easiest thing which would be to wire them to a switch. I wouldn't want them on with the headlights all the time because these suckers are really bright, just one of them lighted my whole engine area really good when testing it.

 

[frankcal]

You can run them on a single switch, like said above, they're only around 3 amps. I have a much greater load on a single switch in my truck.

I can see these as wonderful for people who tailgate..

Flashing them for tailgaters was my second thought for them, since in back roads around here people tailgate all the time even with traffic ahead as if getting close to me is somehow gonna push all the traffic through. But in all truth I would be to scared to even turn them on to someone in risk of causing an accident or a cop seeing them.

 

[DjDom]

Flashing them for tailgaters was my second thought for them, since in back roads around here people tailgate all the time even with traffic ahead as if getting close to me is somehow gonna push all the traffic through. But in all truth I would be to scared to even turn them on to someone in risk of causing an accident or a cop seeing them.

If they have a SLIGHT amber tint, they aren't illegal to flash.

 

[frankcal]

These things are ultra white, pretty surprising for such a small light. I do plan on tinting them though to try to blend them better. Either way I would PROBABLY never flash em, just to risky for me. That doesn't mean never though, because sometimes its really aggravating when you're just peacefully driving down the road at or a little bit above the speed limit and you still get a jackass who wants to ride you

 

[Nixthebomb]

Any chance you can get some pics of the output of the lights?

 

[frankcal]

Sure can, and did.
Not the best pics whatsoever, they were taken with my itouch and with one hand because I was holding the wires to my battery with the other.

2 pics are nightime and 3 are in the day.

 

[rabbit91]

if you wanted to upgrade those little lights, these will blow your mind http://www.amazon.com/LEDSTORE-Ligh...id=1390356121&sr=1-2&keywords=led+work+lights

 

[frankcal]

Yeah I had seen those before but those are too big for me haha they are sweet though. I wanna keep this cheap and simple under than like 10 bucks and try to use what I have on hand. Just waiting on the other lights to come in from ebay and gonna get ready to drill and install

 

[drdoom]

I am putting a set similar to what rabbit posted, as work lights. I have them mounted to the rear luggage. I ran a few relay trigger wires into the cab. (Also doing driving light and custo led stobes in the rear taillights). I use mini fuse taps to energize my switches. And relays mouted to he fender. I mount my illuminated rocker switches to the center console, which pulls right out for easy access.