Kc light wiring help
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Junior User
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Kc light wiring help
Just mounted a light bar on the cab and have 5 100w kc lights on it and im trying to figure out the best way to wire them. I want to have them wired to my high beams and also have a separate switch in the dash.
1...Should I run 5 pair of wires into the cab into two 40a relays.
2...Tie 2 lights into one pair of 12g and the other 3 into a separate pair of 12g into two 40a relays.
I have heavy battery cable running from front to under back seat from the POs massive subs and amps he took out.
1...Should I run 5 pair of wires into the cab into two 40a relays.
2...Tie 2 lights into one pair of 12g and the other 3 into a separate pair of 12g into two 40a relays.
I have heavy battery cable running from front to under back seat from the POs massive subs and amps he took out.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2011
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A few tips, dont hook them to your high beams. Depending on how you run them it can toast your wiring. Even if you run just the signal from the hi beam to the relay, technically its illegal to run them on public roads. Just run a seperate switch and have it isolated from the trucks OE wiring. As far as relays, you could probably find just one high amp relay and maybe be ok. Are you just planning on daisy chaining the wiring to each light?
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
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From: Gilbert, PA
1st I would find out the amperage draw per light and then find out the amps lost thru the wire.
That will tell you what size relay to run.
As far as one or 2 relays, that depends if you want them all on at once or you want it switchable.
Also, you do NOT want to have them come on with the high beams
That will tell you what size relay to run.
As far as one or 2 relays, that depends if you want them all on at once or you want it switchable.
Also, you do NOT want to have them come on with the high beams
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,533
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From: SW Florida
You could get a 3-position switch, like a rotary type, and have the 3 positions as On, Off and Auto. On and Off are self-explanatory, Auto is to have them come on with the high beams when you are in the woods or wherever... just not on the road in traffic. Don't be that guy. Lol.
Definitely use a relay for all of that. You're looking at about 42+ amps for 500W of light with the engine not running (voltage ~12VDC). That is assuming 100% efficiency (no loss in wiring or otherwise) and that is definitely NOT the case in real life.
Definitely use a relay for all of that. You're looking at about 42+ amps for 500W of light with the engine not running (voltage ~12VDC). That is assuming 100% efficiency (no loss in wiring or otherwise) and that is definitely NOT the case in real life.
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Thx for the reply guys. Dixie hit the nail on the head on the amp draw. Its probably only a 4-5ft run from the lights to inside the cab. The 3 way switch sounds like what im looking for. No i dont run them on any high traffic roads nor in traffic lol but we have a lot of back roads and narrow roads that havent had the lines repainted in years and lots of deer.....Factory headlights are absolutely garbage on these trucks.
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