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Which fuse to add-a-circuit for an LED light bar switch?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by conchimnon, Sep 25, 2017.

  1. Sep 25, 2017 at 4:04 PM
    #1
    conchimnon

    conchimnon [OP] Active Member

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    Hello everyone, I have recently installed a lower bumper LED light bar. However, my switch does not act like what I expected when I hooked up an add-a-circuit to it. It only lights up 1 LED at all time instead of 1 LED when off and 2 LEDs when on.
    What I've noticed is when I used the add-a-circuit on the Panel labeled fuse (5A) which is the one for the center tray light, the center tray light does not turn on anymore, but when the headlights are on, then 2 LEDs in the switch are on.
    Then I switched it to the Dome labeled fuse (7.5A) and now only the dome lights work, but not the switch (1 LED on at all time).

    Does anyone have any idea one this? I'm thinking maybe it's just not enough current, if so, which fuse should I use add-a-circuit on? Thanks in advance

    This is the add-a-circuit I used: https://www.amazon.com/Shipping-CIRCUIT-BLADE-PROFILE-FUSETAP/dp/B00I0MWPXU
    And this is the switch: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G1W7YZ4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
     
  2. Sep 25, 2017 at 4:05 PM
    #2
    JoeCOVA

    JoeCOVA Well-Known Member

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    I tied into the rear cargo light, its the green wire with the light wiring harness.

    Ive never used an "add a circuit" before
     
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  3. Sep 25, 2017 at 4:06 PM
    #3
    conchimnon

    conchimnon [OP] Active Member

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    You meant the green fuse? How many amps is that one?
     
  4. Sep 25, 2017 at 4:10 PM
    #4
    JoeCOVA

    JoeCOVA Well-Known Member

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    So my light bar came with a wiring harness that included a relay and inline fuse. I wired everything into the switch then used a wire spice to splice into the the other switch to light up the second LED
     
  5. Sep 25, 2017 at 4:18 PM
    #5
    blackrifle76

    blackrifle76 Well-Known Member

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    Where did you install your switch? I installed all of mine to the left of the steering wheel. I tied into the cargo switch illumination wires and it works like you want it. I used a ch4x4 switch, this is some screenshots of the thread I used to wire mine upScreenshot_20170618-194446.jpg Screenshot_20170618-194914.jpg
     
  6. Sep 25, 2017 at 4:41 PM
    #6
    JoeCOVA

    JoeCOVA Well-Known Member

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  7. Sep 25, 2017 at 5:28 PM
    #7
    BearCreek

    BearCreek Well-Known Member

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    If you're using the switch to fire a dedicated relay for you light bar, then the current in the switching circuit is relatively low. I used the add-a-circuit at the Tail fuse(7.5A) and it only allows me to turn the lightbar on when the exterior lights are on.

    The add-a-circuit is directional, so make sure that the add-a-circuit is in the proper orientation! You'll need to pull the fuse for the circuit you are tapping into and use a meter to determine which pin has 12V. Install the add-a-circuit so that the input of the add a circuit is seated in the 12v pin. Make sure to install the original fuse and the fuse for the new circuit in the right place.
    2upahs7.jpg

    Here's a good write-up for an install with an add-a-circuit and the switch:

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-light-mod-step-by-step-picture-heavy.403875/
     
  8. Sep 25, 2017 at 6:04 PM
    #8
    conchimnon

    conchimnon [OP] Active Member

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    Yes, I think I follow the directions on how to wire it. However, the red wire in my case for the fuse is connected to an add-a-circuit followed this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M-U98ABv3s
    Because my truck is a manual, I don't have an empty slot on the left switch panel, so I bought a switch for the center switch panel which replaces for the ECT switch on an auto truck.

    Thanks, so you think I should add a spare 10A fuse with the add-a-circuit beside the 5A fuse. Also, if mine is this [​IMG]https://www.amazon.com/Shipping-CIRCUIT-BLADE-PROFILE-FUSETAP/dp/B00I0MWPXU Then which spot do you think the 10A would go and which one the 5A would go? Sorry I dont know much about electronic things :(
     
  9. Sep 25, 2017 at 7:03 PM
    #9
    conchimnon

    conchimnon [OP] Active Member

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    Okay guys, so based on your diagrams and photos, the solution for me is adding in a 10A fuse beside the original 5A fuse that I take out from the fuse box. Things work now. Thanks a lot!
     
  10. Sep 25, 2017 at 7:11 PM
    #10
    BearCreek

    BearCreek Well-Known Member

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    Sounds like you got it to work! You do need two fuses inserted in the add-a circuit for it to work right. The slot that is inline with the red wire is power/fuse for your switch. The switch is only rated for a 3A load; I would use a 3A fuse for that because a 10A is higher than what that switch will handle. The bottom slot in the add-a-circuit by the blade is where your original fuse goes.

    51rC2i1oJXL.jpg

    Glad we could help
     
  11. Sep 25, 2017 at 7:17 PM
    #11
    conchimnon

    conchimnon [OP] Active Member

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    Great! Thanks. It looks like they don't have 3A fuse for this ATM-LP type, but I'll look for one and put it in.
     
  12. Sep 25, 2017 at 7:38 PM
    #12
    BearCreek

    BearCreek Well-Known Member

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  13. Sep 25, 2017 at 9:17 PM
    #13
    conchimnon

    conchimnon [OP] Active Member

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  14. Dec 31, 2020 at 10:38 AM
    #14
    Mcluvin737

    Mcluvin737 New Member

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    WRT post #6, question, My LED light bar came with a relay and switch. The wires are red, white, and black vs the blue white and black described in the post about t-tapping the green cargo light wire. I assumed the red wire on mine is the same as the blue wire on his. So I wired green to white, black to black, and red1 to red. I wanted to test before tapping so I inserted the red2 wire into the back of the cargo switch green wire hole and turned on the ignition to check proper function. The switch lights up bright on bottom, dim on top and doesn’t turn the light bar on when pressed. I pull the wire out of the cargo switch and the led light switch goes dark. Any ideas? Thanks. Sorry for the dumb question, but I’ve searched like crazy and can’t figure it out.
     

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