Can someone explain why my ditch lights aren't working?

Alright guys, so I'm trying to install a set of ditch lights on the Taco.

I already have a light bar, so I wanted to use that existing wiring to also power the ditch lights. When I press the switch to trigger the light bar, I wanted the ditch lights to come on at the same time. So I spliced the power for the ditch lights into the power wires for the light bar.

I've wired the system up like this drawing (don't laugh at my art skills), but the ditch lights aren't working, while the light bar is. In my mind, once the switch is on, the relay opens, sends power to the light bar, that same voltage should power the ditch lights, but they're not coming on at all.

I did verify prior to installation that the ditch lights are working. When tied directly to the battery, they worked perfectly.

What have I done wrong?



Edit: Turned out my splice connection wasn't making proper contact on the power wire to the pods. Once I re-seated and re-crimped the connection everything worked like a charm. I verified that both the fuse and the relay could handle the additional amperage from the pods, so it was not an issue with load. I know it's not the "correct" way to wire these, but it works and does exactly what's needed. Thanks for all the help.

 

Is there a fuse somewhere in between? I dont see a in line fuse in your diagram, but my guess is that there is and it may not be big enough to handle the load now put on it with the 3 lights together.

 

Yeah, there's a fuse at the battery. If the fuse was the issue, nothing would work though, right? When I turn the switch on, the light bar works like normal but somehow just the ditch lights aren't working.

 

Try just installing the ditch lights by themselves. See if they even work. Or could reverse wires on the splice, lights may be polarity sensitive.

 

Did that pre-install. Verified they work on their own when applying 12v directly to them.

 

Ok that leaves fuse, relay and reverse the wiring in the split. Make sure your getting enough voltage at the split. After the relay

 

Not sure of the brand we are talking about but here are a few links
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wiring-for-cali-raised-light-bar-and-ditch-lights.501302/

https://www.google.com/search?q=wir...AGTQIHVbAAR8QrQIoBDAAegQIBRAJ&biw=360&bih=616

 

Yeah, I guess it's also possible that the relay isn't strong enough, but in my mind if that was the case nothing would turn on. I'm going to try again tomorrow and see if I can figure anything out. Cold, dark, and raining here now. Ran out of daylight. Thank you for your help. Still scratching my head for the time being.

 

That wiring is whack as fuck. But verify each light actually works. Make sure the polarity is correct.

Give each light it’s own ground, don’t combine the grounds. Give each a power wire. Obviously in parallel not series.

Also that wiring diagram leaves a lot of be desired. Draw a better diagram too.

The ditch lights and light bar should have 2 separate relays too.

 

That's probably my issue. All wiring except for the wires running to the ditch lights is the harness that came with the light bar. I probably way over-simplified trying to power these pods. What would be the ideal way to wire this if I wanted to use just one switch?

 

Just a seperate relay for each set of lights and run seperate ground an power wire to each. Dont tap into the light bar wiring. Just connect it all nicely at the switch

 

Wire a relay to control both ditch lights. Run a relay that controls the light bar. Light bar is simple. One power wire to it, one ground coking back to the battery, or grounded somewhere safe on the body or frame.

Send a power wire to each of the ditch lights, from the relay. Split the power wire (make sure it’s heavy enough to carry the current for both. Run a ground from each light to the battery or frame. Keep it simple and don’t combine them.

Make both relays activate together with the switch.

 

You diagram needs some work as others have noted. Best to keep circuits simple.

Relays only need to control positive. Ground everything back to the batt of possible or at least to a bare clean spot on the frame otherwise.

Draw out both the light circuit and the relay trigger/switch circuit. Keep it simple and separate.

You’ll get it!

 

as others have said, ground them directly. depending on the size of the lights your relay might be fine. betting its the polarity of the ditch lights. as if your light bar is working, so that setup is getting power.

 

My guess is you reversed the polarity to the pods.
If the relay and existing wiring are rated to handle the total current (plus minimum 25% safety margin) of the light bar AND two pods you can leave the wiring as-is (with exception of possible reversed polarity connections to pods). If not then add the second relay as others have stated.