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Author Topic: Adding Aux lighting  (Read 2160 times)

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Ricou

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Adding Aux lighting
« on: March 22, 2006, 03:00:36 PM »
I recently picked up a new set of flood lights that I plan on installing on the bumper of my 03 TJ. I am set to go with one exception; does anyone know how to tell which wire is for the parking lights, which is for the low beams and which is for the high beams? I've checked around and can't seem to get my hands on a wiring diagram.
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Offline Jeffy

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Adding Aux lighting
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2006, 04:22:10 PM »
I do not recommend wiring the lights to the existing setup.  This puts a lot of load on the stock wiring which could lead to overheating and grounding or even fires.

Also, if they're flood lights then they're probably not good for using while driving on road.  Floods produce a very wide band of light in all directions.  If you want driving lights then you want driving lights.  These are a narrower beam but not as narrow as a pencil beam.  Fog lights are designed so they will shine wide but with a horizontal and down pattern.

I highly recommend wiring the lights seperatly.  This is the safest way to do it.

BTW: is that Walnut Creek, CA?
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jwrape

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Adding Aux lighting
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2006, 04:37:40 PM »
Quote from: "Jeffy"
I do not recommend wiring the lights to the existing setup.  This puts a lot of load on the stock wiring which could lead to overheating and grounding or even fires.

Also, if they're flood lights then they're probably not good for using while driving on road.  Floods produce a very wide band of light in all directions.  If you want driving lights then you want driving lights.  These are a narrower beam but not as narrow as a pencil beam.  Fog lights are designed so they will shine wide but with a horizontal and down pattern.

I highly recommend wiring the lights seperatly.  This is the safest way to do it.

BTW: is that Walnut Creek, CA?


I agree, wire them seperately. You can get the APC fog light kit with a 30 amp solenoid, on/off switch and all the wiring you need for $10 at Advance Auto parts.
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Ricou

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Adding Aux lighting
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2006, 04:51:01 PM »
Actually, let me be a bit more specific. ive got a set of Warn SBD 160s. seperate wiring and all, but according to the instructions (god i hate those things) i need to clip into one of those three lines in order for the lights to funstion properly.

Yup that is Walnut Creek, CA.

you local too?
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Offline Jeffy

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Adding Aux lighting
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2006, 04:57:39 PM »
Quote from: "Ricou"
Actually, let me be a bit more specific. ive got a set of Warn SBD 160s. seperate wiring and all, but according to the instructions (god i hate those things) i need to clip into one of those three lines in order for the lights to funstion properly.

Yup that is Walnut Creek, CA.

you local too?


Ok, those a decent lights.  I think what they want to do is make it so you can't turn the lights on unless you have your highbeams on.  Which is BS.  I'd have to look at the wiring schematic for those lights but I'd assume they should work without tapping into anything.  I would guess that the wire thaey want connected to teh existing lights is a +12v wire and would be better off connected to a 'key'ed source or constant +12v.

Oh and yes, I'm in Lafayette.
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SMC4WD

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Adding Aux lighting
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2006, 05:03:41 PM »
Quote from: "jwrape"
the APC fog light kit with a 30 amp solenoid, on/off switch and all the wiring you need for $10 at Advance Auto parts.


APC = Another Piece 'o Crap...

Sorry, please don't combine Warn with those guys...  after futher reading, you do have a correct wiring harness, and Jeffy is right about never combining lights to an already existent wiring set-up.  A simple relay, switch and wire should be sufficent.  Warn's set-up is good, just do what Jeffy said, tap into any +12v source.  

Please stay away from APC.
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Ricou

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Adding Aux lighting
« Reply #6 on: March 22, 2006, 06:28:50 PM »
forgive the newbieness of this question, but how will i know which ones are the +12v. Will it be on the wire? or a certain color?
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Offline Jeffy

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Adding Aux lighting
« Reply #7 on: March 22, 2006, 08:32:03 PM »
Red is usually +12 while black is -12v, usually.  Sometimes they use white and black.  If there are two positives then ones is white/black.

This might help a bit.  The wiring diagram at the bottom is if you wanted them to turn on when the headlights are on, I believe.

Do the lights come with instructions?
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"If the motor car were invented today, there is absolutely no way that any government in the world would let normal members of the public drive one."

Ricou

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Adding Aux lighting
« Reply #8 on: March 22, 2006, 10:46:11 PM »
Cool thanks, I was hoping for something about that simple.

The sad part is they do come with "instructions". But unfortunatly they assume that the person doing the instalation is a little bit more experienced in dealing with electrical systems than I am.

Thanks for your help, the lights are now set up and ready to blind deer at 200+ yards.
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Offline Jeffy

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Adding Aux lighting
« Reply #9 on: March 22, 2006, 11:39:25 PM »
Well, if you have any other problems I might be willing to drop by.
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"If the motor car were invented today, there is absolutely no way that any government in the world would let normal members of the public drive one."

Ricou

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Adding Aux lighting
« Reply #10 on: March 22, 2006, 11:47:57 PM »
Thanks I aprreciate that.
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Krod

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Adding Aux lighting
« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2006, 07:38:52 AM »
Quote from: "SMC4WD"
Quote from: "jwrape"
the APC fog light kit with a 30 amp solenoid, on/off switch and all the wiring you need for $10 at Advance Auto parts.


APC = Another Piece 'o Crap...

Sorry, please don't combine Warn with those guys...  after futher reading, you do have a correct wiring harness, and Jeffy is right about never combining lights to an already existent wiring set-up.  A simple relay, switch and wire should be sufficent.  Warn's set-up is good, just do what Jeffy said, tap into any +12v source.  

Please stay away from APC.


Actually...the "APC" kit is the same as the PIAA wiring harness.  Prewired, with a relay, with a decent switch.  Its a nice kit, and certainly no better/worse than another brand.  I agree most of APC's parts are ricer junk, but this is a quality kit for a good price.  I've been running it on my KC's for over a year now, and its held up wonderful.
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jwrape

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Adding Aux lighting
« Reply #12 on: March 23, 2006, 07:50:36 AM »
Quote from: "Krod"
Quote from: "SMC4WD"
Quote from: "jwrape"
the APC fog light kit with a 30 amp solenoid, on/off switch and all the wiring you need for $10 at Advance Auto parts.


APC = Another Piece 'o Crap...

Sorry, please don't combine Warn with those guys...  after futher reading, you do have a correct wiring harness, and Jeffy is right about never combining lights to an already existent wiring set-up.  A simple relay, switch and wire should be sufficent.  Warn's set-up is good, just do what Jeffy said, tap into any +12v source.  

Please stay away from APC.


Actually...the "APC" kit is the same as the PIAA wiring harness.  Prewired, with a relay, with a decent switch.  Its a nice kit, and certainly no better/worse than another brand.  I agree most of APC's parts are ricer junk, but this is a quality kit for a good price.  I've been running it on my KC's for over a year now, and its held up wonderful.


Agreed, it is a very solid kit. The on/off switch is a little cheezy but functional. The wiring, solenoid and connectors are top notch stuff and it cost a lot more to collect all the parts and make the kit. I have two of the kits. One runs my overhead lights and the other runs my Fan. Both work great and I thinkn are actually 14 gauge wire if i'm not mistaken. To build the kit would cost MUCH more than $10.
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Krod

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Adding Aux lighting
« Reply #13 on: March 23, 2006, 08:20:08 AM »
the only thing i added to the kit was some small diameter black wire loom to cover the heat shrink tubing they used. (purely a "visual" thing)  Looking under the hood, you'll never even know the harness is there...it just blends right in with the factory wiring.
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jwrape

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Adding Aux lighting
« Reply #14 on: March 23, 2006, 10:33:08 AM »
Quote from: "Krod"
the only thing i added to the kit was some small diameter black wire loom to cover the heat shrink tubing they used. (purely a "visual" thing)  Looking under the hood, you'll never even know the harness is there...it just blends right in with the factory wiring.


Yea, that WHITE wire covering is very bright and visual.  :lol:
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