[Firemedic10584]

I have a LED bar coming to install on my bull bar. I'm wanting to wire it to it's own switch for individual use as well as wire it to come on when the high beams are activated. Is it as simple as just running two power wires? One to the individual switch and the other power wire just tap into the high beam wire on the headlights??

 

[Firemedic10584]

I think I found what Im looking for. Let me run this by yall and see if it sounds right -

Get a 20 amp relay: Tap into high beam power and run that to pin 86 of relay. Ground pin 85 of relay. Pin 87 goes to the power of the LED bar and pin 30 is the power for the aux switch.

 

[mrolow]

I use two relays. On one relay, I connect the switched power from the dash switch to pin 86. Then connect pin 30 to the high beams. Finally on the 1st relay, I connect pin 87 to pin 86 on the second relay. On the second relay, I connect battery to pin 30, and the off road lights to pin 87. I connect pin 85 to ground on both. This configuration puts minimal load on the high beam circuit and allows the off road lights to get full power from the battery. It also allows you to use the high beam switch to control the off road lights with out looking for the dash switch.

 

[Firemedic10584]

Hmm...Ok. Once the bar gets here I may end up using your setup. I would rather put the minimal amount of stress on my high beam circuit as possible.

 

[mrolow]

Hmm...Ok. Once the bar gets here I may end up using your setup. I would rather put the minimal amount of stress on my high beam circuit as possible.

If needed, I can send you a schematic drawing showing all of the wiring and connections.

 

[unlisted]

Hmm...Ok. Once the bar gets here I may end up using your setup. I would rather put the minimal amount of stress on my high beam circuit as possible.

If you are worried about the factory wiring at all (or any backfeeding) put a diode on the high beam wire before the relays (so the power will only go towards the relay).

 

[Firemedic10584]

If you are worried about the factory wiring at all (or any backfeeding) put a diode on the high beam wire before the relays (so the power will only go towards the relay).

2 questions -

What is this diode you're referring to?

Should I be worried about drawing power from the high beams?

 

[unlisted]

Google diode and/or look on elb for specifics on that inquiry. I don't know what specific diode you'd require but its basically an electronic device which only permits electricity to flow one way.


Drawing power from the high beams- if you are only using it to trigger a relay, I would not worry. If you are using it for anything more than a trigger and/or to power anything other than the OEM high beams, I would worry/not do it at all.

The diode would prevent any random/stray currents (electricity) from flowing back into the high beam wire, which could in theory bugger with the computer/blow fuses, etc. (on the very off chance the relay shorted out, or the aftermarket light itself, or some other random event).

 

[Firemedic10584]

Google diode and/or look on elb for specifics on that inquiry. I don't know what specific diode you'd require but its basically an electronic device which only permits electricity to flow one way.


Drawing power from the high beams- if you are only using it to trigger a relay, I would not worry. If you are using it for anything more than a trigger and/or to power anything other than the OEM high beams, I would worry/not do it at all.

The diode would prevent any random/stray currents (electricity) from flowing back into the high beam wire, which could in theory bugger with the computer/blow fuses, etc. (on the very off chance the relay shorted out, or the aftermarket light itself, or some other random event).

Ok, I'll just use the relay. It won't be used too often so hopefully there will not be any issues.

 

[unlisted]

I'd still use a diode between the headlight wire and the relay.. unless the relay has a diode built in.

 

[mrolow]

Ok, I'll just use the relay. It won't be used too often so hopefully there will not be any issues.

With the high beam connected to the coil of the relay, the only voltage is from the high beams. A diode would not help as it would need to be placed in series with the relay coil and serve no useful purpose, as the polarity would have to be to allow the +12 volts from the high beams to flow to the relay. With nothing other than the high beam power and ground connected to relay coil there will be no voltages feeding back toward the high beam connection of the headlights.

 

[Firemedic10584]

With the high beam connected to the coil of the relay, the only voltage is from the high beams. A diode would not help as it would need to be placed in series with the relay coil and serve no useful purpose, as the polarity would have to be to allow the +12 volts from the high beams to flow to the relay. With nothing other than the high beam power and ground connected to relay coil there will be no voltages feeding back toward the high beam connection of the headlights.

Ok, so using the diagram you sent me, I shouldn't have any issues. I'll be doing this install hopefully tomorrow.

 

[mrolow]

Ok, so using the diagram you sent me, I shouldn't have any issues. I'll be doing this install hopefully tomorrow.

I have been using that schematic for off road light wiring for over thirty years with no issues. I am currently using it on my Jeep for a LED light bar.

 

[Firemedic10584]

Ill be using it tomorrow! Can't wait to see how it comes out!

 

[Exxzaust]

anyone know on a 2012 ram 1500 where I would find the high beam wire and what color it is?

 

[Dodgy Dave O'Donnell]

If needed, I can send you a schematic drawing showing all of the wiring and connections.

Hi sorry to jump in but any chance you can send me the same diagram as I too want to use the full main beam wiring to operate the led light bar.. thanks in advance Dave