Electric Question

[White Chocolate]

I am an electrical moron...

Ok, so I pulled the trigger on a 30" LED light bar. I have found a diagram on this site that I think will allow me to turn on the LED light bar when the high beams are turned on.... am I correct? see diagram

The diagram shows a relay. I understand what the relay will do. How do I go buy one, meaning that the diagram doesn't give any specifications on what kind of relay to buy. What do I ask for at AutoZone?

The diagram also shows a Diode. I understand what the diode will do. How do I go buy one? Is this something AutoZone would normally carry? Do I need more information that it is just a 1 amp diode?

If it helps any the light bar will be 300 watt with a 12.7 amp draw

 

[jetranger]

Go to Radio Shack and buy a 1 amp diode. I don't believe any auto parts stores will carry them.

Here is a good reference:

Blocking Diodes, Isolating Door Triggers and Sensors

 

[Diver Deuce]

Relays are relatively easy to find. Your local autoparts store will have some in the electrical aisle. As for your diode... you can find it at radioshack provided your local shop didn't close down like so many others did... otherwise you can find them online.

Use the search function "5th Gen light bar wiring" or something to see the myriad of wiring jobs people have done... not all of us have wired to the high beams...

 

[Simpleman74]

I just bought a RIGID wiring harness :noidea:

 

[jetranger]

Also, if you use two relays, you can hook up the light bar so it turns on via a switch if the lights are off, but when you turn the lights on, it will only come on with the brights.

That's how I did it on my Land Cruiser. It's nice if I want to have only the light bar on without anything else.

 

[White Chocolate]

Jet Ranger,

Doesn't the diagram above do what your set up does? My diagram only has 1 relay? I am confused.

 

[e60ral]

Can't you just get a diode type relay and avoid the need for a separate diode?

 

[gundrted+t4r]

For whats it worth, I've never installed one with any of my installed. The diode makes sure the trigger wire doesn't get any reverse current from something down stream.

I don't know what the down stream use of the trigger wire is. The rest of my comments assume its not needed.

From what I see the wiring plan shows all the random ground wires grounded together. I'm talking about the wire nut picture in the lower right. Overall this is NOT something I would do.

If you take the extra time and ground things individually, you won't have an issue. If you run pin 85 (the ground side of the trigger relay) to a ground, you don't need the diode. There is nothing wrong with a common ground. If its truly a common ground, you woudn't need the diode.

Personally I don't like extra components. Its just something else to fail later. A little extra wiring and breaking out the grounds may be worth the effort.

 

[rainmn]

For whats it worth, I've never installed one with any of my installed. The diode makes sure the trigger wire doesn't get any reverse current from something down stream.

I don't know what the down stream use of the trigger wire is. The rest of my comments assume its not needed.

From what I see the wiring plan shows all the random ground wires grounded together. I'm talking about the wire nut picture in the lower right. Overall this is NOT something I would do.

If you take the extra time and ground things individually, you won't have an issue. If you run pin 85 (the ground side of the trigger relay) to a ground, you don't need the diode. There is nothing wrong with a common ground. If its truly a common ground, you woudn't need the diode.

Personally I don't like extra components. Its just something else to fail later. A little extra wiring and breaking out the grounds may be worth the effort.

I don't understand your common ground comments.

The ground in the lower right corner of that diagram is only used for a lighted switch. (Note the illumination +12v going to the switch in addition to the ignition switched +12v) If the switch wasn't lighted in that example, that ground wouldn't exist.

Also, in that example above, you can't ground the relay. That diagram assumes that the high beam trigger is negative, so the opposite side of the relay has to be +12v.

 

[White Chocolate]

Relays

Ok so I go to autozone... there are dozens of relays to choose from and I still don't have any idea which one to get based on the diagram I posted at the start of this thread. How do I know which relay to get?

 

[JSparky]

Ok so I go to autozone... there are dozens of relays to choose from and I still don't have any idea which one to get based on the diagram I posted at the start of this thread. How do I know which relay to get?

Not to sound rude but it would be best if you did some research on your own, that or hire a professional. Relay's are not that complicated, it's basic circuitry that most people interested in electronics can wrap their head around. We all have different learning speeds though and if it's new to you it may take some time. If after reviewing information online you still can't grasp how to wire up a relay'd circuit I'd look into having a local audio/radio shop lead you through the steps.. hands-on experience is invaluable. Best of luck.

 

[Antman]

Ok so I go to autozone... there are dozens of relays to choose from and I still don't have any idea which one to get based on the diagram I posted at the start of this thread. How do I know which relay to get?

A standard 4 or 5 pin 30a relay will work- any autoparts dude worth his paycheck can direct you to one of those- no need to over think it.

If you get the diode, make sure you install it the correct way. Look at diagram above, the doide will have a silver line around one end, that will correspond with the line above the arrow in the diagram (silver line closest to relay). If you install it backwards the light won't work.

Also- If you have no experience with proper crimping/wiring you will not get good results out of this, lol.

Good luck though- we can get you through it as long as this thread doesn't turn into a clusterfvck like some have lately.:wow:

 

[White Chocolate]

Thanks Ant

Wow!

Thanks Antman for actually answering the question!! I appreciate the help!

 

[4RnR Grl]

OP... You mentioned having the off-road lights turn on when you flip to high beam.... it may be illegal to have your off-road lights turned on, unless you are not on-road. You may want to check into that as well.

 

[pinoyesv6]

The diagram is setup so that the light bar can only turn on when the high beams are on. The switch is there so that you have the ability to control the light bar when the high beams are on. If the high beams aren't on, the light bar will never come on.

The switch looks like its a lighted switch. I am not sure how it operates but, if you use a 12v LED instead of a regular diode, the led will light up when the light bar turns on. Something to think about.

As for the relay, go into the part of the store where they sell the cheap universal driving lights. You're gonna see 2 or 3 things. The first will be a universal fog/driving light harness. That will work, it has everything you need, the downside to this is these harnesses I feel don't have thick enough wire and the wire is either too long or too short. The second thing you will see is just a plain relay, it is probably the replacement relay for the harness I just mentioned. This relay will work, its probably a 30a 12v SPST relay which is the most basic type you need. If you don't already, you're gonna need some female quick disconnects to connect your wires to it. The third thing you might see, and you'll see this if you're luck, it will be a relay with a small pigtail harness so that you can connect your wires to it, and if the relay fails, you can just swap it out without figuring out the wiring, just unplug the relay and put a new one in.