Looking for a power source for my light bar..

Hello all,

Just wondering were you guys got power for your light bars. I currently have the relay powered directly from the battery, but I don't want the light bar to be able to be powered when the truck is off.

Do any of you have suggestions for a switched power source?

Thanks in advance...
Nick

I have a 30 inch single row light bar.

 

Try here...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/lighting.60/

 

Depending on size of light....
I used an add a fuse.
I tapped into my headlight fuse..so light can be turned on by switch once my parking lights are on.
I used radio add a fuse for another set of lights and the keys must be in ignition to use the switch to turn on the lights. (Atleast in my 2005)

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I have 30 in single row led light bar.

 

I tapped my high beam....no worries of blinding anyone this way and still have a switch to turn it off completely

 

You can get an aux fuse box makes it clean and simple

 

Leave it direct to the battery, or get an auxiliary box. That bar will pull at least 10 amps. You don't want to tie into another wire already rated for it's purpose.

 

If you want it so that it can only be on when the key is on, use battery power for the relay contacts. Power 1 side of the relay coil from an ignition switch souce. Then use your lightbar switch to complete the relay coil circuit to ground.

 

I'm not completely sure I understand, Could you explain more? Schematic?

Thanks
Nick

 

I have my lights wired direct to the battery so they get full power, and dont pop any circuits. For the "signal" for the relay I have the wire hooked to the high beam circuit with a add-a-fuse. If I have a need for the extra lights, I will have my high beams on already so a easy choice. Plus easy to turn on with the lever.
I still have a additional switch on the dash for a overide. This allows me to turn the the high beam trigger off. Wanted this for inspections, and the option of just high beams.

 

This is actually a more simple method. What they are calling a valet switch, would be your light bar dash switch. The "carputer..." would be your light bar.

 

See my post in this thread...

 

This is the way i did it.

 

This^^^

 

Just get a switch for the power to first go to rather then straight to the bar.
My wiring set up is
Battery positive to a in line fuse holder - to interior switch's positive - then grab a second wire and go - switch negative to light bar positive - light bar negative grounded by removing roof rack bolt and reinstalling bolt with wire.