| Author | Message | ||
     Jamil Abbasy (Jamooche) Senior Member Username: Jamooche Post Number: 325 Registered: 05-2003 |
I think I finally understand relays and the way to properly wire my lights. I am going to use the Hella relays with the built in fuse and the LR wiper switches. Thanks for everyone's help on this. Since I will be installing 2 hella 500s I think I have it right that I need only 1 relay. (55watt x2 = 110 / 12 = 9.2amp which is less than the hella 15amp relay) How and where do I attach the swith power to the driver side parking light as it says in the tech section? Thanks, Jamil | ||
| Craig Kobayashi (Koby) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Koby Post Number: 1040 Registered: 02-2002 |
Jamil- I'd wire the switch to the battery. I suggest this because this allows you to turn on the lights whenever you like. Make sure you fuse the switch power line. | ||
| Jamil Abbasy (Jamooche) Senior Member Username: Jamooche Post Number: 326 Registered: 05-2003 |
Thanks Craig, I wouldn't have put a fuse there. By the way, I see a lot of people switching from 500s to Euro 4000s for the bumper. Obviously a better light, but is it really worth upgrading and leaving the 500s in the garage? | ||
| Craig Kobayashi (Koby) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Koby Post Number: 1041 Registered: 02-2002 |
Yes, it is.  | ||
| Adam Ross (Discodriveradam) Member Username: Discodriveradam Post Number: 186 Registered: 01-2003 |
I utterly second Craig's opinion, Jamil. The 4k's are exponentially better, especially on the bumper, where the effects are most noticeable. I just wired up 4 4k's on the rack, and 2 on the bumper myself. If you need any help, let me know. | ||
| Bill Mallin (Billmallin) Member Username: Billmallin Post Number: 127 Registered: 09-2003 |
I third that. I turn on my three Hellas and it's like the sun comes out. You know, I didn't think about the amp question on my setup until I read your post. Your mathematical equation is on the money: Watts = Volts X Amps. (Amps = Watts / Volts) When I wired up my three 4Ks, I used two relays: one relay for two lights and one relay for the remaining light. My thought was as follows: The Hella Rallye 4000 Wiring Harness Kit comes with one relay, but it is for two lights. If you look at the box in this picture, you can even see the one relay and two connectors for the lights: https://www.expeditionexchange.com/hella/DSC03541.jpg If I were to use the equation, I'd get the following: 100 watts X 2 = 200 watts / 12 volts = 16.67 amps Well, that's 1.67 amps too much. Perhaps the extra 1.67 amps isn't enough to matter. I'm sure the relay has some "safety factor" in it. I've also never had any problem with the setup... sorry, just thinking out loud.... Anyway... To answer your question about your 500s: Yes, one relay will be enough. You can actually run three 55W lights on one 15 amp Hella relay. But, get the 4Ks; you'll be very happy you did.  | ||
| Jamil Abbasy (Jamooche) Senior Member Username: Jamooche Post Number: 327 Registered: 05-2003 |
So if I get 2 4000s, I need 2 relays and 1 switch... So the wiring scheme is: Battery > inline fuse > LR rear wiper switch > 2 15 amp relays with built in fuses. Then each relay is connected to the battery, ground and a light. What gague wiring should be used? Bill, what type do you have on the bumper? I am thinking to go with the cornering ones. Does the third light get in the way of the winch. I was already recommended to remove my third FF light from the bumper for this reason. http://www.pbase.com/image/25817924 http://www.pbase.com/image/23098371 Also, where do you run the wires? I did this with the FF lights. They are organized, but slightly in the way. Jamil | ||
| Jamil Abbasy (Jamooche) Senior Member Username: Jamooche Post Number: 328 Registered: 05-2003 |
Bill, where did you get the 50 amp inline fuse you mentioned in your power inverter article. I have the same one and can't find one anywhere, even on the internet! Jamil | ||
| Bill Mallin (Billmallin) Member Username: Billmallin Post Number: 131 Registered: 09-2003 |
I have an extra one. Email me your address and will send it to you. bill@billmallin.com | ||
| Adam Ross (Discodriveradam) Member Username: Discodriveradam Post Number: 187 Registered: 01-2003 |
Jamil, you only need one relay for two 4k's. Just get the Hella wiring harness that is made specifically for the 4k's and you'll be fine. It's a little more expensive than building your own wiring harness, but it's foolproof. It comes with all necessary wires and fuses and relays and such. But in case you do build your own, as it seems you will, you will use 12 and 14 AWG wire. Can't remember how much you will need, but I would get at least 12 feet of each, just in case. | ||
| Bill Mallin (Billmallin) Member Username: Billmallin Post Number: 133 Registered: 09-2003 |
Jamil: I agree with Adam. I'm pretty sure you only need one relay too. I have one relay running two of my three lights and, as mentioned above, I've not ever had a problem. | ||
| Jamil Abbasy (Jamooche) Senior Member Username: Jamooche Post Number: 329 Registered: 05-2003 |
Yeah, that's probabally a better idea. I assume it reaches the dash, if not, I can just extend the wires. Thanks for your help. Bill, check your email. | ||
| Axel Haakonsen (Axel) Moderator Username: Axel Post Number: 927 Registered: 02-2003 |
Yeah, you only need one relay for 2 Hella 4k lights. But remember, relays are rated at different amperages too, so make sure you get one with high enough rating. Also make sure you put a fuse on each circuit, even if it is supposed to hav a low amperage draw, like the sitch control wire. If you have a short, there will be a lot of juice going through, and if you don't fuse the circuits, your wires will get red hot really fast. You really only need a second relay if you want to build a simple logic circuit where the lights only come on when your headlighs are on and then be controlled by your high/low beam switch. For example, I have two Hella 4k pencil beams on the bumper, i have a master switch in the dashboard, and when that switch is on, the Hellas only come on with my high beams. It's a variation on the wiring scheme in the tech section. I also have 4 Hellas on the rack, but they are on independent switches and relays, and can be turned on independently of the headlights. One switch and relay for the outside cornering beams, and one switch and relay for the euro beams in the middle. - Axel | ||
| Jamil Abbasy (Jamooche) Senior Member Username: Jamooche Post Number: 330 Registered: 05-2003 |
I'm getting the LR wiper switches for the lights and I want to get rid of the old stock fog light switch. Is there a proper way to disable and remove the old stock fog switch? Is there a fuse I should pull to disable that old system? It already seems to be shorted out since the light no longer comes on when I push the button. And I'm going to go with 2 4000 cornering lights. Jamil | ||
| Craig Kobayashi (Koby) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Koby Post Number: 1042 Registered: 02-2002 |
12-gauge wire per 100W 4K should suffice. | ||
| Jamil Abbasy (Jamooche) Senior Member Username: Jamooche Post Number: 332 Registered: 05-2003 |
Just need the question in my last post answered and I am good to go. Don't want that to cause the downfall... | ||
| Craig Kobayashi (Koby) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Koby Post Number: 1043 Registered: 02-2002 |
Just pull the old switch and put the new one in. you may need to sand the wiper switch down to make it fit. |
