help an idiot with wiring lights

So i am debating on paying somebody to wire up all my lights and tune my cb but also having a hard time not just trying to learn (gain a skill/experience). I have 6 lights on my topper and 2 ditch lights so 4 switches and 8 lights. They are chepo Amazon lights so they came with nothing. I have no idea where to start than asking for help on TW. i did search but everything is over my head and now i am asking for help. Where do i start? how do i make it safe so i dont burn the truck down with an electrical fire? What would the DIY newbish people on TW do? thanks!

 

Little more info may help t.w wiring guru's narrow down the best answer for your situation..
How do you want them to come on.?
All lights at once or individual?
One switch or several..?
Do you want Power only with key or do you want lights to come on without key in ignition?
How big are lights (amp/watts)

Edit: an idiot would not be asking how..
They would already be done and trying to put out the fire

 

thank you for your response.
1. i would like the light to come on by switch only.
2. i would like two lights per switch so left and right back up light come on together, right and left side of topper light come on together.
3. 4 total switches
4. would prefer to get lights to come on with out the key but whatever is easier.
5. i dont know but they are small led pods off of Amazon. Avec brand.

I also have PIAA lights on my arb that i took a part when i got a new frame and now cant get them to work so whole other problem

 

lunch time bump

 

Evening's bump. Common where should i start. A link a schematic anything. Might just make life easier to pay someone else but i love the fact that i did all the other work myself. Help me TW

 

So give us a little background on your wiring knowledge, for example do you own a multimeter and know how to use it? Do you understand the difference between 12volt constant vs. 12volt switched, do you know what a ground wire is and how to make a new one if need be? As far as the wiring depending on what lights u are using you may need a relay(actually suggested anyways) and that makes things slightly more complicated, so it's not really as easy as someone drawing u up a schematic, there is way more that we need to know in order to point u the right direction.

 

I followe you for the most part. I get to use my dads shop but he is to busy to help so yes i have thw tools but limited knowledge. Basic led pods off Amazon avec brand.

$24 Lumitek 4PCS 18W Led Light bar Spot Beam Light Pods Led Work Lights Driving Fog Light Off Road Lights for ATV SUV UTE Pickup Truck

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00P...led+lights&dpPl=1&dpID=41dJ9i03ePL&ref=plSrch.

So the lights just have two wires coming out positive and negative im assuming.
I thought I would just run extra wire and solder them together and this is kind of where I'm stuck. I doubt I should just go straight to the battery positive and negative and I'm confused on How I build a switch into the system. Does all this help or make no sense.

Lastyly do they just make a wiring harness with switches that i cold just buy snd not make my own. Simplify this. Thanks again.

 

OK here are two very basic pictures of wiring one without a relay one with a relay.


But to be honest with you I think you should find someone to help you that can show you how to do the wiring because if you do it wrong you could risk a fire, and trust me when a wire starts smoking because you hooked it up wrong and grab it to rip it off it will burn your skin. Read some articles on Google about wiring 12 volt lights or watch some YouTube videos. Also there is a forum called the12volt that has tons of 12 volt wiring information.

 

Thank you thank you thank you. This is exactly what I was looking for. But also my biggest fear on why I don't want to do it myself. Time to think it through and make a plan.

Next question that I guess. I live in a resort town so everything is astronomically expensive how many hours should a pro take doing this kind of an installation on my 05 double cab Tacoma. I don't want to get ripped off. They charge $90 an hour. 3 LED pods on my topper that I've already mounted and two ditch lights already mounted so 4 total switches.

 

I'm really not sure what someone would charge for this but a car audio shop should be capable of doing it also any place that sells toppers and such for trucks would be able to do it.

 

Upload a pic of the switches for each set of lights your going to use. Did they come with relays?

 

Might be a good idea to ask on here for someone close to you that would be willing to help you out,I know there are alot of trolls that flame people on here but there are alot of people willing to help a fellow TW member out too...

 

Lights came with nothing. My first problem. Thats why i asked for help. My PIAA came with everything. Basic installation.

Think im gonna pay sombody. TW pretty thin up here in the mountains, unless people are on vacation.

How long should this take a pro to do?

Thanks everbody.

 

I sent u a pm

 

So what did you end up doing on the lights? You give it a shot or take it to someone?

 

I was able to talk to a very helpful member braves95 and he walked me through the basic's. It was exactly what i needed. talked to my dad and think we might attempt this. I know i can do it. I just needed a little bit of direction.

Honestly this is an ongoing internal battle im having. I love working on the truck and doing it myself. So very happy i have done it all so far. I have even built a home made RTT trailer out of a 1940 dodge bed with my uncles help (welding) and it is so nice going out to moab and see a bunch of built rigs and the satisfaction i have knowing i have done it all on my own. Problem is the time it takes especially when your learning. Like everybody else, me and my wife both work full time and some weeks more than full time. We also have two little boys a 1 and 3 year old. building that trailer took forever and i missed out on time with the kids and wife(uncle helped weld, we built him his dream garden in memory of his son as a labor trade). That year I worked more on projects instead of camping or wheeling or going out with the guys like i used to before kids so i kind of want to keep with my theme and just do it myself, but on another side of me just want to suck it up an pay somebody and not spend another weekend working on the truck (i also own a home so all that work and upkeep as well). 1 more weekend with the family cause it will take me at least a day to do this sounds appealing. I really just want a shop and no HOA and somehow not sleep at all and just do all my projects when the wife and kids are sleeping. Oh wait i work nights so i can watch kids all day. somebody should figure out how to freeze time.

so answer is I dont know! very torn. TW thoughts. I know i am not the only one in the boat.

 

Well good luck, and I too worked nights for 10+ years(may be going back soon) and I often found mornings after work to be the time I got the most done, but that was before my 2yr old.

 

thanks. Im going to swing by the shop and see if i can get a quote so that will be that actual next step. See how much then make a decision.

 

I'm telling u it's super easy.

 

that's why i want to do it myself its just the time now. And thanks for your help that was very nice of you.