Light Wiring

[Taco_Man]

Well I am looking at doing some rewiring of my rock lights and getting 2 more sets. Here is a wiring diagram that I started.

http://img.skitch.com/20080709-cqr1ex552gtre9xg1dg86j3a9e.jpg

The 4 lights at the bottom or going to be my Spot Lights when I build my bumper.

[RedRunnertc]

I think that should work.

30A relay is good for 4 lights with 55W bulbs.

[AxleIke]

Wiring looks good.

You sure your battery is going to like this? I have a plain jane battery, and am running 5 lamps. With the head lights on, I notice dimming in cab, and to the head lights when the rock lamps are on.

I think that should work.

30A relay is good for 4 lights with 55W bulbs.

Dammit.

Now you tell me.

I'm running 2 lamps per 30 A relay.

[GatorTaco]

looks good to me! and familiar http://ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=106212 :D best of luck man

[Quick Draw]

I see your problem....

You have everything tied into your fuss box..... I'm not sure what that is, but unless its anything like a fuse box, this isn't going to work...:rofl:

[Taco_Man]

I'm running 2 lamps per 30 A relay.
yea I am doing the same right now.

looks good to me! and familiar http://ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=106212 :D best of luck man

Yea I was looking at that yesterday and it inspired me to rewire mine. But since you posted here I see you have a light center rear pointing to the front. What's that help with? I have noticed that it is good to have front and rear of tires lite.

[Taco_Man]

Here is what my current light setup looks like.

http://img.skitch.com/20080709-mdghyp1dhue6eiky7yxi38w4u7.jpg

I see your problem....

You have everything tied into your fuse box..... I'm not sure what that is, but unless its anything like a fuse box, this isn't going to work...:rofl:

Its going to be a fuse holder. I am looking into something like:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41jEyK83dcL._SS500_.jpg

But sealed and waterproof

[RedRunnertc]

Wiring looks good.

You sure your battery is going to like this? I have a plain jane battery, and am running 5 lamps. With the head lights on, I notice dimming in cab, and to the head lights when the rock lamps are on.

Dammit.

Now you tell me.

I'm running 2 lamps per 30 A relay.

That's not a battery problem, that's an alternator problem. Rocklights suck up juice in a HURRY. If you're going to use regular incandescent lights, you practically MUST upgrade your alternator. Molly and I had ours done by Boyle Future Tech in California and they work awesome. I'm looking to switch to LED just to eliminate that strain on the electrical system.

You can run less per relay - relays don't absorb any power, so all it hurts you is the extra cost for the relays and wire itself.

[Taco_Man]

That's not a battery problem, that's an alternator problem. Rocklights suck up juice in a HURRY. If you're going to use regular incandescent lights, you practically MUST upgrade your alternator. Molly and I had ours done by Boyle Future Tech in California and they work awesome. I'm looking to switch to LED just to eliminate that strain on the electrical system.

You can run less per relay - relays don't absorb any power, so all it hurts you is the extra cost for the relays and wire itself.

Also if you have a TRD Off-road 05+ you have an upgraded ( or I should say better) alternator. It is more better then the none TRD Off-Road's.

[Quick Draw]

Dude, you corrected my intentional typo to make fun of your unitnentional typo. Look at your wiring diagram where it says "fuss box".... Lol I wasn't criticizing at all....just giving you a hard time.

[RedRunnertc]

8 ea 55W bulbs is about 40A ... I doubt you have that much extra capacity even on the "bigger" alternator.

Compounding the problem is that usually when we're running rock lights, we're also taching low RPM's. I doubt the alternator even makes 40A below 2000 RPM ...

[Taco_Man]

Well where the hell would I find out what amp's I would have at idle with a 130-amp alternator

And yes I found your post at yotatech saying you have 60

[RedRunnertc]

You'd have to have it tested ... the coils in mine were specially selected for max low RPM output (not necessarily total max output), so it does 60A at idle and like 140A at >3000 RPM. My guess is you're in the 20-30A range at idle, maybe more, but I bet your draw just to run the truck is higher than the earlier trucks'.

[AxleIke]

That's not a battery problem, that's an alternator problem. Rocklights suck up juice in a HURRY. If you're going to use regular incandescent lights, you practically MUST upgrade your alternator. Molly and I had ours done by Boyle Future Tech in California and they work awesome. I'm looking to switch to LED just to eliminate that strain on the electrical system.

You can run less per relay - relays don't absorb any power, so all it hurts you is the extra cost for the relays and wire itself.

Bigger alternator? Yeah right!

Why the hell do you think I always drag you along there buddy? To bail me out when my junk quits, of course :D

[capanaparo]

TACO_MAN: Which software are you using to do your diagram? Thanks

[ike]

I have always been reluctant to add additional lights due to the small amount of night wheeling i actually end up doing. After last weekends trip i may be doing more of it though, so keep the info coming.

[fjcruzer]

I have always been reluctant to add additional lights due to the small amount of night wheeling i actually end up doing. After last weekends trip i may be doing more of it though, so keep the info coming.

x2. LEDs are in my future... right after I get a real job, lol.

[TowerRigger]

Well where the hell would I find out what amp's I would have at idle with a 130-amp alternator


DC clamp meter.
You can never go wrong with fluke but $$$. Like 300 some bones.
Make sure you buy one with a high enough DC current meassuring capacity. Most have very low DC amp ratings.

Oh ya not to be too critical but you need to brush up on making electrical schematic drawings too.:o

[colorado125]

x2. LEDs are in my future... right after I get a real job, lol.

I've got 6 of the RoundEyes 1W LED's and am back and forth on which vehicle to put them on. Think I'll probably end up with them on the Jeep first, then get another set of 8 for the truck. They have a damn nice pattern and are nice and bright. I just love the fact that with the entire vehicle lit will have less draw than one light that most peolpe are running. Now I need to find time with working 7 days a week to wire them up.:(

[ike]

Just sell the jeep, and put them on the taco!

[vwfastg60]

That fuseblock looks like a CE2 Vw block. I have a box of them but they are ment to be used under the dash.

free if you want one of those.

I dont have any of this style but it might be a better idea. Its from the battery of a MK4 jetta/Gti
http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v189/89/81/51400037/n51400037_30575280_7800.jpg
you could get the whole battery box and it mounts over the top of the battery and is waterproof.