help with lighting
02-09-2010, 08:35 PM
#1
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help with lighting
Im a little confused. I am in no way a electrician
.
So i need help from some to explain to me about wiring up extra lights and stuff. When you mount extra lights to a roof rack or bumper and then run them to a switch inside the jeep do you use a fuse, or a relay in the circut, and where do i mount the fuses/relays. should i fab another relay/fuse box and have it under the hood or in the cab some where? Im just so lost in this subject so some one PLEASE enlighten me on a electrical lesson so i can get some lights mounted up later on down the road.
.So i need help from some to explain to me about wiring up extra lights and stuff. When you mount extra lights to a roof rack or bumper and then run them to a switch inside the jeep do you use a fuse, or a relay in the circut, and where do i mount the fuses/relays. should i fab another relay/fuse box and have it under the hood or in the cab some where? Im just so lost in this subject so some one PLEASE enlighten me on a electrical lesson so i can get some lights mounted up later on down the road.
02-09-2010, 08:48 PM
#2
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Year: 1995
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Engine: 5.2 v8
Im a little confused. I am in no way a electrician.
So i need help from some to explain to me about wiring up extra lights and stuff. When you mount extra lights to a roof rack or bumper and then run them to a switch inside the jeep do you use a fuse, or a relay in the circut, and where do i mount the fuses/relays. should i fab another relay/fuse box and have it under the hood or in the cab some where? Im just so lost in this subject so some one PLEASE enlighten me on a electrical lesson so i can get some lights mounted up later on down the road.
.So i need help from some to explain to me about wiring up extra lights and stuff. When you mount extra lights to a roof rack or bumper and then run them to a switch inside the jeep do you use a fuse, or a relay in the circut, and where do i mount the fuses/relays. should i fab another relay/fuse box and have it under the hood or in the cab some where? Im just so lost in this subject so some one PLEASE enlighten me on a electrical lesson so i can get some lights mounted up later on down the road.
Personally (along with most people) I ALWAYS use a relay. It makes for easier wire routing and pretty well ensures you get full power to the lights. Do a little bit of homework on relays, if you have questions in particular, ask!
You can make a box and tuck it under the dash, or do them separate, and mount them....thats all pretty well up to you. I have always hidden relays and stuff under the dash on the drivers side...I currently have a relay box/fuse box all in one under the dash for my latest crazy lighting adventure I did....
So to sum it up, ALWAYS use fuses. Period. Most people use relays, and HIGHLY recommend it. Where you mount the stuff and how, is all up to you! Just try to keep the fuse as close as you can to the battery/power source!
If you read up on the stuff and have more ?'s again just ask, there is enough people on here that can point you in the right direction
HTH!
Another thing you may want to research is where to put the switches....that usually comes to be a big issue from time to time on here.
ADD- Heres a link I forgot I had bookmarked, it deals with some general relay info, it comes in pretty useful!
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...ry/relays.html
Last edited by storm101; 02-09-2010 at 08:50 PM.
02-09-2010, 08:52 PM
#3
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Well for starts, always use a fuse. Circuit protection is a must for anything electrical. Better to pop a fuse than start a fire.
Personally (along with most people) I ALWAYS use a relay. It makes for easier wire routing and pretty well ensures you get full power to them. Do a little bit of homework on relays, if you have questions in particular, ask!
You can make a box and tuck it under the dash, or do them separate, and mount them....thats all pretty well up to you. I have always hidden relays and stuff under the dash on the drivers side...I currently have a relay box/fuse box all in one under the dash for my latest crazy lighting adventure I did....
So to sum it up, ALWAYS use fuses. Period. Most people use relays, and HIGHLY recommend it. Where you mount the stuff and how, is all up to you! Just try to keep the fuse as close as you can to the battery/power source!
If you read up on the stuff and have more ?'s again just ask, there is enough people on here that can point you in the right direction
HTH!
Another thing you may want to research is where to put the switches....that usually comes to be a big issue from time to time on here.
ADD- Heres a link I forgot I had bookmarked, it deals with some general relay info, it comes in pretty useful!
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...ry/relays.html
Personally (along with most people) I ALWAYS use a relay. It makes for easier wire routing and pretty well ensures you get full power to them. Do a little bit of homework on relays, if you have questions in particular, ask!
You can make a box and tuck it under the dash, or do them separate, and mount them....thats all pretty well up to you. I have always hidden relays and stuff under the dash on the drivers side...I currently have a relay box/fuse box all in one under the dash for my latest crazy lighting adventure I did....
So to sum it up, ALWAYS use fuses. Period. Most people use relays, and HIGHLY recommend it. Where you mount the stuff and how, is all up to you! Just try to keep the fuse as close as you can to the battery/power source!
If you read up on the stuff and have more ?'s again just ask, there is enough people on here that can point you in the right direction
HTH!
Another thing you may want to research is where to put the switches....that usually comes to be a big issue from time to time on here.
ADD- Heres a link I forgot I had bookmarked, it deals with some general relay info, it comes in pretty useful!
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...ry/relays.html
02-09-2010, 08:56 PM
#4
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Yes switches do have limits, check them out, but if you run relays, you dont really need to worry about it too much.
If you have some cash to burn on the setup, check out my pics....the switches and stuff are pricey, but its pretty sweet....
Again, ALWAYS use fuses. Relays are a different beast!
02-09-2010, 09:00 PM
#5
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aite man you lost me which should i use fuses or relays? cause if i do this i wanna do it right so i dont have to go back and tinker with it over and over again.
02-09-2010, 09:09 PM
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Relays are more of a secondary switch type unit....instead of running ALL the power from the batt. through the switch then to the load component, a relay allows a "signal" current from a switch, to "turn on" the relay, which transfers power from the battery to the load. (load being lights)....it allows for smaller wiring to be ran to the switch.
This pretty well allows you to use any switch (within reason) to control your lights.....relays can handle more amps than most switches (including high dollar ones).
ALWAYS run fuses, relays are OPTIONAL but HIGHLY recommended!
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02-09-2010, 09:15 PM
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im running relays and no fuses.. did it on my cj7 for years with no problem.. not saying it's safe because the guy knows whats he's talking about.. thier have been fires but if u want to be cheap like me and risk it you can
02-10-2010, 08:11 AM
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thank you itsaxjthing that was pretty extensive. Is it possible to get a fuse box/ relay box from a jy and use it? and when you wire thing up is there a fuse to every relay? im still a bit lost i absolutly suck a electrician stuff.
Last edited by 00XJ; 02-10-2010 at 08:54 AM.