1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Baja ditch lights draining battery

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by ToyotaRacingDev, Oct 22, 2021.

  1. Oct 22, 2021 at 5:26 PM
    #1
    ToyotaRacingDev

    ToyotaRacingDev [OP] SWO Tacoma Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2018
    Member:
    #273997
    Messages:
    341
    Gender:
    Male
    London, Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2008 Tacoma TRD Sport
    I have 2x Baja Designs Pro squadron for ditch lights and 2x Baja Designs Pro squadron for fog lights. I just got the ditch lights wired today and went somewhere dark with them all on for a few minutes. I saw a coyote. But I noticed my battery dropped significantly from 13.6V to 13.0V. It was still dropping when I turned it off, dropping over the course of 3 min or so.


    Is my setup too overkill for my battery and alternator (I know pro is overkill for lighting) i got a good deal on them so that's why I don't have sports. I didn't run them for long, I didn't want to draw too much on my battery. I have the ditch lights hooked up individually as well, so I can power whichever one or both. I'm concerned I might cook my alternator or drain my battery.

    I have a napa AGM battery on my V6 Tacoma

    Thanks
     
  2. Oct 22, 2021 at 5:44 PM
    #2
    Tacospike

    Tacospike Semi-Unknown Custodial Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2018
    Member:
    #273198
    Messages:
    14,420
    Gender:
    Male
    512
    Vehicle:
    16 Tacoma TRD Sport DCSB / 17 Tundra 5.7L 4X4 CM
    Two Trucks
    Was the truck running?

    They won’t be overkill for the battery
     
  3. Oct 22, 2021 at 5:50 PM
    #3
    ToyotaRacingDev

    ToyotaRacingDev [OP] SWO Tacoma Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2018
    Member:
    #273997
    Messages:
    341
    Gender:
    Male
    London, Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2008 Tacoma TRD Sport
    Yeah the truck was running (parked) and it was dropping
     
  4. Oct 22, 2021 at 5:52 PM
    #4
    JoeCOVA

    JoeCOVA Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
    Member:
    #202463
    Messages:
    9,656
    First Name:
    Joe
    Colorado Springs
    Vehicle:
    Ford F350, Lexus RX450h, FZJ80, Jeep YJ, Jeep LJ
    They are LEDs… they only draw like 3 amps.
     
    vicali likes this.
  5. Oct 22, 2021 at 7:26 PM
    #5
    paranoid56

    paranoid56 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2012
    Member:
    #83443
    Messages:
    3,438
    Gender:
    Male
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    14 double cab taco
    with all 4 running you are around 12amps. by any chance were you just idling? you will be fine driving,
     
  6. Oct 22, 2021 at 7:29 PM
    #6
    ToyotaRacingDev

    ToyotaRacingDev [OP] SWO Tacoma Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2018
    Member:
    #273997
    Messages:
    341
    Gender:
    Male
    London, Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2008 Tacoma TRD Sport
    Yeah I was idiling and was watching it drop so I was a little worried. I don't plan to drive with all 4 on but I just wanted to make sure it could with all 4
     
  7. Oct 22, 2021 at 7:31 PM
    #7
    paranoid56

    paranoid56 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2012
    Member:
    #83443
    Messages:
    3,438
    Gender:
    Male
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    14 double cab taco
    at idle you arnt producing full amps from the alt. so you should be fine. I know guys running 5 LP9s and a few other lights with little issues when driving.
     
  8. Nov 3, 2021 at 1:25 PM
    #8
    vicali

    vicali Touch my camera through the fence

    Joined:
    May 20, 2010
    Member:
    #37503
    Messages:
    2,675
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    mike
    Kam,BC
    Vehicle:
    2017 TRD Sport 1D6
    It's not the lights, where are you getting your readings from?

    Squadron Pros draw 2.9A each, so you're only pulling 11.6A total.
    I used to run 4x Hella500 at 4.5A each so around 18A total - that didn't even dip the rpm at idle.
    My 22re used to run 4x 100w halogens - 33A total. They got hot, and they sucked the rpm down at idle, and they were still fine for 12 years..

    Look somewhere else.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top