[prairiefire]

I'm adding 22" amber/white, solid/flashing light bars front and rear of my 2005 Titan.

I'm wondering if I need to add relays.

Here's my plan:

I'm mounting the switches, and a duty radio, in the console using the great idea someone on this forum posted. (thanks)

I'm running a #8 wire, directly from and fused at the battery to a fused Rigrunner panel (https://powerwerx.com/west-mountain-radio-rigrunner-4005).

Each LED bar will have its own fused circuit and switch. The bars will come into the console on #12 wire.

I'm hoping I have enough protection with the fused circuits to avoid putting in the relays.

Thoughts?

If I need relays, where would I put them?

Thanks.

Steve

 

[Smccarty3]

I think it might be a good idea, but it probably depends on the switch. The relay is generally used when the switch can't handle the amperage. In that case the switch is used to trigger the relay to close the circuit so the power goes through the relay as opposed to the switch.

 

[FishnAlaska]

I've been using a 20 amp switch on my bar and reverse lights for a couple years now, no relays, no problems with them. Also using 8 gauge fused wires. I am running the switch wire using an add a fuse into the main fuse box, running the wire to my switch, then a wire from the switch out to the light bar, I do have an inline fuse between the switch and the light too.

If you want to use a relay, I would mount them in the engine bay

 

[prairiefire]

Thanks for the replies.

I am using 20amp switches and there will be a fuse between the lights and the switch. I guess if the switches start to get warm, I can add relays.

The 22" lights don't appear to draw that much power.

Thanks, again. You guys are really helpful.

sjh

 

[prairiefire]

FishnAlaska -- I note that you have a light mounted in your lower grill. I want to put mine there.

It appears that the grill is attached with three plastic holders on the top end; is that all that holds it? How do you get them out?

Did you use the holes they clips were in to mount your light? I'm thinking I can mount in front of the grill. Did you simply remove yours or is it behind the light?

Thanks for all of the help.

sjh

 

[FishnAlaska]

The 3 clips are plastic and can be pulled out very easily, mine is mounted there in the 2 outer holes, left the middle clip in. I did not remove the grill,or do anything to it besides remove the 2 outer clips. The light bar sits in there fine and does not affect the grill at all. As long as your light bar has the mounts that slide the length of the bar, it will work fine. If your bar has the mounts on the ends, it will not work.

 

[OnTheWrongSide]

If you have a new circuit to the battery, you only need a relay if the switch can't handle the current draw of the light bars. If they can't you just wire the relay's earth trigger via the switch to any earth.

On the other hand, any time you tap a factory circuit you need to consider using a relay because it was onl ever designed for the factory current draw.

The key question either way, is what current do the lights draw. LEDs are usually awesomely low but the manual should specify.