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Independent offroad lights

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by LonghornTaco, Oct 17, 2008.

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  1. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:02 PM
    #1
    LonghornTaco

    #1
    LonghornTaco [OP] Can you pass the bailout please?

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    Ok, I'm trying to wire up my lights and I want to operate them independently of the headlights. I also want to be able to turn them on without the truck being on. Do I still have to run a wire to the headlights? I can't seem to get them to work...

    I bought Hella 500FF lights.
     
    LonghornTaco, Oct 17, 2008
    #1
  2. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:11 PM
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    tacomaman06

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    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    getting there....
    nope...dont have to wire them to the head lights. 2 wires from the switch....one to hot on lights, one to positive on abttery, with a fusible link, then the ground on the lights, bring them to the ground on the battery. this is with no relay either. wired lights like this alot...never had any problems....just dnt forget to turn them off.
     
    tacomaman06, Oct 17, 2008
    #2
  3. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:21 PM
    #3
    LonghornTaco

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    LonghornTaco [OP] Can you pass the bailout please?

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    Check out this link: http://www.hella.com/produktion/HellaUSA/WebSite/Channels/Drivers/FAQs/FAQs.jsp

    Check out the Basic Wiring Diagram. This is what I have. I have run the wires like this (except the green one) and none of it is working...
     
    LonghornTaco, Oct 17, 2008
    #3
  4. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:23 PM
    #4
    JimBeam

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    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    you should have a hot wire off the battery to the switch (with a fuse somewhere)...then a ground from the switch and a hot wire from the switch to the lights...and both lights should be grounded
     
    JimBeam, Oct 17, 2008
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  5. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:25 PM
    #5
    JimBeam

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    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    ive got 2 sets of aux lights wired up essentially the way i just described...no relays...the only difference is i tapped power from my fuse block with an add-a-fuse thingy for each one...i dunno if theres any open fuse slots on yours but thats how i did mine
     
    JimBeam, Oct 17, 2008
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  6. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:25 PM
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    tacomaman06

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    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    getting there....
    why do HAVE to run the wires like that?? wire them like i said,without the relay, and they will work fine. you need to use a 15 amp fuse inline at the battery on the hot wire.
     
    tacomaman06, Oct 17, 2008
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  7. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:27 PM
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    JimBeam

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    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    i agree...delete the relay and run a basic wire setup like we just described and make sure you have good grounds...a bad ground could cause it to not work
     
    JimBeam, Oct 17, 2008
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  8. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:27 PM
    #8
    LonghornTaco

    #8
    LonghornTaco [OP] Can you pass the bailout please?

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    I wired it like that because they came with the relays. The line from the battery has a 15A fuse inline...

    I'll see if I can wire it up like yours.
     
    LonghornTaco, Oct 17, 2008
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  9. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:28 PM
    #9
    tacomaman06

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    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    getting there....
    yep........i dont ever deal with relays, and i have never had a problem.
     
    tacomaman06, Oct 17, 2008
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  10. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:28 PM
    #10
    JimBeam

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    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    screw the relay...keep the fuse and you should be fine
     
    JimBeam, Oct 17, 2008
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  11. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:28 PM
    #11
    tacomaman06

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    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    getting there....
    its alot easier to skip the relay and do it as i described...thats for sure.:D
     
    tacomaman06, Oct 17, 2008
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  12. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:28 PM
    #12
    LonghornTaco

    #12
    LonghornTaco [OP] Can you pass the bailout please?

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    k - let me try it out. I had trouble with this LAST time I wired the lights on my Chevy...
     
    LonghornTaco, Oct 17, 2008
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  13. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:29 PM
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    JimBeam

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    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    ive never used a relay on any of my lights...in fact im still using the original wiring i put in when i put my first set of lights on the truck 3 years ago sans relay and have never had a problem...im on my 3rd set of lights (personal choice not because they went bad) plus ive run a set of aux reverse lights like that and my floorboard lights are run like that
     
    JimBeam, Oct 17, 2008
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  14. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:30 PM
    #14
    LonghornTaco

    #14
    LonghornTaco [OP] Can you pass the bailout please?

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    Ok, so my switch has three prongs on the back. Does it matter which prong gets which wire?? I assume it does...
     
    LonghornTaco, Oct 17, 2008
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  15. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:30 PM
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    tacomaman06

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    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    getting there....
    nah...you'll get it this time. just take your time. be sure to ground the lights to the battery though.....dont go the easier route and ground them to the frame or a bolt or something.......that aint too great of an idea.
     
    tacomaman06, Oct 17, 2008
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  16. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:31 PM
    #16
    tacomaman06

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    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    getting there....
    one will just make the switch light up man..............load goes to positive on battery....earth goes to ground....you can use a frame bolt or something close to keep from running a long extra wire, and the accessory one goes to the hot on the lights!
     
    tacomaman06, Oct 17, 2008
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  17. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:32 PM
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    JimBeam

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    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    does the packaging or instructions have a diagram of which contact is which?

    i have a hot from source, ground, and hot to lights
     
    JimBeam, Oct 17, 2008
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  18. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:33 PM
    #18
    LonghornTaco

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    LonghornTaco [OP] Can you pass the bailout please?

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    Yeah, there is a diagram. And ironically enough, there are two "wiring" diagrams on the same page and both say different things about which wire goes to which post.
     
    LonghornTaco, Oct 17, 2008
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  19. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:34 PM
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    rhoppas

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    rhoppas Land of Oz

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    This is the most basic way to wire lights without using a relay. The drawing is a bit crude. I just whipped it up with paintbrush. :)

    Very basic light wiring.jpg
     
    rhoppas, Oct 17, 2008
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  20. Oct 17, 2008 at 9:35 PM
    #20
    JimBeam

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    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    just use the trial and error method...
     
    JimBeam, Oct 17, 2008
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