How to wire a 3rd PIAA driving light onto my existing pair of 520s?
#1
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
How to wire a 3rd PIAA driving light onto my existing pair of 520s?
Hey guys,
I have a bit of a problem finding this information. I seriously just spent 30 minutes google searching and came up with nothing. Im not sure if im just searching the wrong phrase or what. Basically this is what i am trying to do:
I currently have two PIAA 520 ATP driving lights installed on my bumper. I am using the stock PIAA wiring harness which includes the PIAA 3 wire switch, the two light connectors, and the relay box. I acquired a third PIAA light and wanted to wire it up so it turns on with the other two. How do i do this? Do i just cut the connector off the light and splice the wires into the existing wiring harness or is there more to it? Can the relay handle three lights? Can the switch handle three lights?
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks all
Will
I have a bit of a problem finding this information. I seriously just spent 30 minutes google searching and came up with nothing. Im not sure if im just searching the wrong phrase or what. Basically this is what i am trying to do:
I currently have two PIAA 520 ATP driving lights installed on my bumper. I am using the stock PIAA wiring harness which includes the PIAA 3 wire switch, the two light connectors, and the relay box. I acquired a third PIAA light and wanted to wire it up so it turns on with the other two. How do i do this? Do i just cut the connector off the light and splice the wires into the existing wiring harness or is there more to it? Can the relay handle three lights? Can the switch handle three lights?
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks all
Will
#2
Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The load limit of the relay will determine if it can handle the total current draw of all three lights - look at what it's rated for. The switch will not be an issue in itself if the relay isn't overloaded. Perhaps there's an advantage to switching that third light independently?
#3
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Bstrom- thanks ill check into that. Don't want to wire it seperate if I don't have to. Don't want to have another switch and I want them to come on at the same time.
#4
Honorary Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Gilbert AZ/Las Cruces NM
Posts: 8,135
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes
on
11 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 upgraded
you can wire to relays on 1 switch, as they take miliamps to switch the relay on. as stated the switch wont be a problem, but get another relay they are cheap. then splice the wires to the switch together. I have done this to mine and has worked for years now. 3 relays on 1 switch
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: here today gone tomorrow
Posts: 746
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
You could call PIAA and ask them if their relay is up to the load.
http://www.piaa.com/Corporation/Corporation.html
I have a pair of 520ATPs on my XJ and love 'em. I DID pull the 85w bulbs and replaced 'em with PIAA 55w bulbs(used as auxiliary lows on the road). If you did the same you COULD run 3 lights without overloading the relay(165w/3 vs 170w/2). They make lotsa light and are bright even with the lower wattage bulbs.
http://www.piaa.com/Corporation/Corporation.html
I have a pair of 520ATPs on my XJ and love 'em. I DID pull the 85w bulbs and replaced 'em with PIAA 55w bulbs(used as auxiliary lows on the road). If you did the same you COULD run 3 lights without overloading the relay(165w/3 vs 170w/2). They make lotsa light and are bright even with the lower wattage bulbs.
#6
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Hmm thats a really good idea i might try that. I will definitely give them a call tomorrow but i do like the idea of using lower watt bulbs. Mainly for the reason of less drain on my battery. Any other ideas?
#7
Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Manchester, PA
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
you can wire to relays on 1 switch, as they take miliamps to switch the relay on. as stated the switch wont be a problem, but get another relay they are cheap. then splice the wires to the switch together. I have done this to mine and has worked for years now. 3 relays on 1 switch
The current rating should be printed on the top of the relay.
you may find this pdf helpful:
http://sonolithics.com/files/bosch.pdf
Good luck.
Trending Topics
#8
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
So after some great help from the members of Cherokee Forum i figured out how to wire up a third PIAA light so it comes on with my existing 2 PIAA lights. I went to autozone and purchased all the stuff i needed.
- 4 Prong 12V 30A Relay
- 180w High strand wire
- Series of connectors
- and lots of patience!
Did some research online and learned about how it all worked. Here is the relay with the wires hooked up. 1 Wire is ground for the relay, 1 wire is power for the relay, 1 wire is power for the light, and the last 1 wire is to the switch.
So i found the power wire for the PIAA switch that runs my two front driving lights and used a special connector (sorry not good with proper names) and tapped into the switch through the relay.
Normally the PIAA lights ground back to the relay but i didnt want to get that complicated of a relay so i just grounded the PIAA light to the frame of the Jeep.
I ran the power and ground wire from the relay straight to the battery for added connivence. I installed a 10A fuse inline with the power for the relay for added security.
After it was all said and done, tested, and confirmed, then covered up with a bunch of wire cover and this was the end result.
Still lots of stuff to do but this was a great accomplishment for the day!
- 4 Prong 12V 30A Relay
- 180w High strand wire
- Series of connectors
- and lots of patience!
Did some research online and learned about how it all worked. Here is the relay with the wires hooked up. 1 Wire is ground for the relay, 1 wire is power for the relay, 1 wire is power for the light, and the last 1 wire is to the switch.
So i found the power wire for the PIAA switch that runs my two front driving lights and used a special connector (sorry not good with proper names) and tapped into the switch through the relay.
Normally the PIAA lights ground back to the relay but i didnt want to get that complicated of a relay so i just grounded the PIAA light to the frame of the Jeep.
I ran the power and ground wire from the relay straight to the battery for added connivence. I installed a 10A fuse inline with the power for the relay for added security.
After it was all said and done, tested, and confirmed, then covered up with a bunch of wire cover and this was the end result.
Still lots of stuff to do but this was a great accomplishment for the day!
#9
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Ahhhhhhh now its not working!!!!! The original 2 are working but the third one isn't!!!! Ugh this addition is going to be the death of me!!!! Any ideas?
#11
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Carbon County, PA
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 2000
Engine: 4.0
You can just tap into the existing circuit if:
The relay can provide sufficient amperage.
Your wiring handle the additional load.
Otherwise, add another relay to the existing switch.
The relay can provide sufficient amperage.
Your wiring handle the additional load.
Otherwise, add another relay to the existing switch.
#12
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I am currently running another relay. I installed a Bosch Style 4 pin relay with 1 pin being for power, 1 pin being for ground, 1 pin power to light, and 1 pin power to the switch. Cant figure out why it suddenly stopped working after it was working before.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BayArea93xj
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
8
06-11-2016 10:43 AM
EBowen95
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
49
08-25-2015 08:44 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)