Lightbar wiring question
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 533
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From: Northwest Indiana
Lightbar wiring question
Im putting a 13 inch on my bumper, Im not buying the wiring harness. I need a constant 12v power source. I do have a switch already in the dash. I noticed like 4-6 wires coming up by the fuse box in the engine bay, what are those for? Anything that I could use? I need to take off for work so Ill look at it some more later tonight, but just thought I could get some advice if any of you guys had done this before.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2016
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Im putting a 13 inch on my bumper, Im not buying the wiring harness. I need a constant 12v power source. I do have a switch already in the dash. I noticed like 4-6 wires coming up by the fuse box in the engine bay, what are those for? Anything that I could use? I need to take off for work so Ill look at it some more later tonight, but just thought I could get some advice if any of you guys had done this before.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
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From: Lake Hartwell, GA
Mine are tucked into the corner just above the steering column as it comes through the firewall. There are 4 of them I believe.
I have thought about wiring up a fuse block/panel to the passenger inner fender for a while. As things get added to my truck, I don't want to keep piggybacking off of fuses or wiring directly to the battery. Might look into that option as well.
I have thought about wiring up a fuse block/panel to the passenger inner fender for a while. As things get added to my truck, I don't want to keep piggybacking off of fuses or wiring directly to the battery. Might look into that option as well.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Northwest Indiana
Are those extra wires hooked up to anything or do they just run through the firewall?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Norco,CA
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Northwest Indiana
This is the wiring kit the lightbar instructions recommend. For $25 Ill probably just do that, comes with all the relay fuse stuff.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pro...RDghoCUrbw_wcB
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Powell, wy
Kind of a toss up on pre made relay kits in my opinion. If you don't have the parts to do it yourself, then a relay kit would be the way to go. I usually have everything on hand and have always felt more comfortable making my own. I find wiring stuff up to be very theroputic.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
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From: San Diego, CA
I'm not a big fan of piggybacking lights onto circuits (just a personal preference). A good fuse (and holder) through a rated relay and I connect it to the battery terminal. Connect the switch to the relay and you're good to go (as a good measure I put a small fuse on that line to just in case). It's a bit overkill but I've never had a problem with anything I've wired.
As for the connections, you might be able to find them on-line somewhere. If not you can either cut them off and put something a little more standard on there or buy their wiring harness. I don't know how the connections are done so don't know which way would be easier/cheaper.
As for the connections, you might be able to find them on-line somewhere. If not you can either cut them off and put something a little more standard on there or buy their wiring harness. I don't know how the connections are done so don't know which way would be easier/cheaper.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,345
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From: Lake Hartwell, GA
As I mentioned earlier, if you are looking to wire up quite a few things in the future, maybe something like this would be the right way to go.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QMTAZ1W...WTW0PD8T&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QMTAZ1W...WTW0PD8T&psc=1
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Northwest Indiana
Kind of a toss up on pre made relay kits in my opinion. If you don't have the parts to do it yourself, then a relay kit would be the way to go. I usually have everything on hand and have always felt more comfortable making my own. I find wiring stuff up to be very theroputic.
I'm not a big fan of piggybacking lights onto circuits (just a personal preference). A good fuse (and holder) through a rated relay and I connect it to the battery terminal. Connect the switch to the relay and you're good to go (as a good measure I put a small fuse on that line to just in case). It's a bit overkill but I've never had a problem with anything I've wired.
.
.
As I mentioned earlier, if you are looking to wire up quite a few things in the future, maybe something like this would be the right way to go.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QMTAZ1W...WTW0PD8T&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QMTAZ1W...WTW0PD8T&psc=1
They didnt have the kit in stock today. . . Kinda bummed cuz I made a special trip into town. Oh well.
EDIT : Ill probably just go with this, its got the inline fuse and a 40amp relay. https://www.amazon.com/MICTUNING-MIC...bar+wiring+kit
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
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I put a couple 18 in lights on some trucks at work. They came with the switch kits that essentially was everything u need. Everything powered off the battery and it came with a switch that passed thru the firewall for a trigger.
On one truck, i used that b/c it did not have upfitter switches. On the others, I installed it to the upfitter switches thru the pass through wires.
Out of curiosity, I checked the amp draw and those lights only pulled 6 amps max. It would spike and then drop back off as the LEDs lit up.
On one truck, i used that b/c it did not have upfitter switches. On the others, I installed it to the upfitter switches thru the pass through wires.
Out of curiosity, I checked the amp draw and those lights only pulled 6 amps max. It would spike and then drop back off as the LEDs lit up.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 533
Likes: 0
From: Northwest Indiana
I put a couple 18 in lights on some trucks at work. They came with the switch kits that essentially was everything u need. Everything powered off the battery and it came with a switch that passed thru the firewall for a trigger.
On one truck, i used that b/c it did not have upfitter switches. On the others, I installed it to the upfitter switches thru the pass through wires.
Out of curiosity, I checked the amp draw and those lights only pulled 6 amps max. It would spike and then drop back off as the LEDs lit up.
On one truck, i used that b/c it did not have upfitter switches. On the others, I installed it to the upfitter switches thru the pass through wires.
Out of curiosity, I checked the amp draw and those lights only pulled 6 amps max. It would spike and then drop back off as the LEDs lit up.