ericfx1984

a mod, who will remain nameless (unless he wants to tell you) asked about wiring a relay for use with 4 lights... well here it is...

(NOTE: if anyone is interested I could make a youtube video and/or LIVE pictures)

they say a picture is worth a thousand words... here it goes...

another thing to note is that the output from the switch to the relay pin 85 can be ANY gauge wire as it carries almost NO load... also this wire can be split to activate as many relays as you want...

alternatively you can connect pin 87 on the first relay to pin 86 any other relays (just make sure that those relays have pin 85 connected to ground)

additional notes: you CAN have Pin 86 pull from any wiring that is 12v +, if you want the lights(or whatever you are running for that matter) to only turn on when you have the ignition on all you do is attach PIN 86 to a wire that is only active when the ignition is on...

outkast

I also use the ground to trigger the relay. It seems the switch is the most common part to fail and a failure simply turns lights on rather than having an open circuit to spark and cause a fire.

ericfx1984

you would be amazed how many people trigger with 12v +... it just does not make sense... you have to run power into the cab, then to the switch, then back out

ground trigger makes sense... if you short out, oh well, the light turns on like you said... lol

ericfx1984

on another note: ALL SHALL BOW BEFORE MY MAD MS PAINT SKILLZ... or rather lack there of

outkast

I can't even make squares in Paint so I do bow!

ericfx1984

lol see I predicted this... I should start a religion...

excess650

If you get your 12V to trigger the relay from the fuse box, its already inside the cab. I used IGN or PWR ACC so that the relay would only be activated when the ignition was on.

Your line drawing shows a daisy chain to the lights. I would run a seperate wire to each light.

SeriousOffroad

nevermind

TheJerm

x2 on that part, I wired my fans that way so they dont stay on when i turn it off, Works fine for me

ericfx1984

I understand this, but in the case of lights I do need them on from time to time even without the Jeep being on

but as I noted you CAN have Pin 86 pull from any wiring that is 12v +, if you want the lights(or whatever you are running for that matter) to only turn on when you have the ignition on all you do is attach PIN 86 to a wire that is only active when the ignition is on...

Gee oh Dee

Great post, I know plenty of people will get use out of this, myself included.

Its actually surprisingly simple when its laid out in front of me!

I agree with the key on activation. I know its easy to notice headlights or aftermarket lights being on at night, but I would be the guy who accidentally bumps the switch without realizing...during the day.

excess650

There are a couple of spots in the fuse box marked BATT. I'll check, but suspect that they're constantly "hot". Likewise, I'll have to look and see if there is a spot for when the ignition in the ACC position.

As I mentioned previously, I don't advise "daisy chaining" lights together. It would be better to run a single, heavy gauge wire to a junction block or fuse panel, and then run smaller gauge to each light. Individually fused would be a plus. Yeah, I'm one of those guys who solders connections and uses heat shrink.

ericfx1984

that part is up to you... if the wire can safely carry the load then it does not matter... you will not get any brighter light with single wires for each light unless you are running wires that are too small

TheJerm

The wire for the switch/relay should carry very little load so it doesnt matter much. If theres bad connections or a short then you might have an issue

ericfx1984

pics fixed