Aux Light wiring question

[ASSFROW]

Hello,

The snow is coming!! so I need some amber lights. I ordered a cheap set from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CRQTJVC?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1, so I can have them tomorrow It is a 120w set and they include a wiring harness with a switch and relay, but I'm going to wire them to one of the factory 15a aux switches. So finally the question. Confirming that I do not need the relay or harness. I can just run a wire from the factory aux harness directly to the lights, ground and be good to go, correct?

Thanks,
Gary

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[Terrymo]

Correct
I usually use the harness minus the switch and relay whenever possible.

 

[ASSFROW]

Correct
I usually use the harness minus the switch and relay whenever possible.

Thank you sir! I'm hoping I can use the harness, but will make one if I need too.

 

[walleyecrazy]

You are correct. I always just take the included harness and cut the wires right before the relay and then wire direct to the aux wires.

 

[3arl0fBruce]

I would personally keep the harness relay. Just replace the harness switch with the aux switch, and let the included relay handle any high-current draws.

 

[ASSFROW]

I would personally keep the harness relay. Just replace the harness switch with the aux switch, and let the included relay handle any high-current draws.

Yeah, this is the way, but sooooo many wires. I'm freekin OCD and they are going to have to be routed beautifully and look OEM and I'm not sure there's enough wire in the harness or the perfect spot to mount the relay, but I'll see.

 

[binhdong]

No need for harness relay. The aux switches are already relayed and fused. Cleanest setup will be just wire positive to the aux output and ground to nearest ground location. I did my own wiring and can send photos if need ideas.

 

[KCSgtMaj]

I would personally keep the harness relay. Just replace the harness switch with the aux switch, and let the included relay handle any high-current draws.

I thought the auxiliary switches already had relays. Am I wrong on that?

 

[Terrymo]

I thought the auxiliary switches already had relays. Am I wrong on that?

Nope you’re right. I can’t think of a reason for two relays, but I’ve been wrong at least once before

 

[Terrymo]

I would personally keep the harness relay. Just replace the harness switch with the aux switch, and let the included relay handle any high-current draws.

I’m curious to hear the value of having a second relay

 

[binhdong]

I’m curious to hear the value of having a second relay

In this specific setup there is no benefit. You will only add a failure point.

 

[3arl0fBruce]

I’m curious to hear the value of having a second relay

In his specific case there might not be one. I’m thinking of some off road lights I installed that draw a lot of current. In my case, I wanted the heavier wiring and relay provided with the corresponding harness to handle that current and let the aux switch handle the minimal current needed to operate the harness relay. If I understand things correctly, and I may not, this leaves some overhead to possibly put some other lights on the same aux switch without overloading it.

 

[binhdong]

I think we have the same idea but semantics are different.

Yes to relay for heavy load. The Aux “switch” in the cabin is actually controlling a relay. Most JLs will have two 40amp and two 15amp. Should be more than enough. Pick the correct circuit. Yes you can wire up as you mention but it’s not needed at all.

For the OP, there’s really not enough info but I can assume if it is actually a set that pulls 120w all together and then that’s 10 amps at the worst case scenario. 120w/12v=10amps. As the Jeep is running the voltage will go up to around 13-14 and that number will come down. But taking worse case scenario, you want to ideally have a 20% overhead. Some will go right to the edge but I’m not that type of engineer. lol. So on the 40amp Aux circuits you can safely do 32amps and for the 15amp Aux circuits you can do 12amps.

If the OPs lights are a pair and each light is actually pulling 120w…Which is a lot a lot a lot of light or a very inefficient light. Then OP will have to take one of the 40amp Aux circuits.

 

[zouch]

if that's truly 120W per light, that 15A circuit won't be adequate.

if that's 120W per *pair*, or (more likely) one of those "120W equivalent" Marketing BS ratings, that 15A circuit will probably be enough by itself.

can't tell what lights we're talking about since the link provided goes to a members profile, not to any lights.

Hello,

The snow is coming!! so I need some amber lights. I ordered a cheap set from Amazon https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/members/110031/, so I can have them tomorrow It is a 120w set and they include a wiring harness with a switch and relay, but I'm going to wire them to one of the factory 15a aux switches. So finally the question. Confirming that I do not need the relay or harness. I can just run a wire from the factory aux harness directly to the lights, ground and be good to go, correct?

Thanks,
Gary

 

[3arl0fBruce]

I think we have the same idea but semantics are different.

Yes to relay for heavy load. The Aux “switch” in the cabin is actually controlling a relay. Most JLs will have two 40amp and two 15amp. Should be more than enough. Pick the correct circuit. Yes you can wire up as you mention but it’s not needed at all.

For the OP, there’s really not enough info but I can assume if it is actually a set that pulls 120w all together and then that’s 10 amps at the worst case scenario. 120w/12v=10amps. As the Jeep is running the voltage will go up to around 13-14 and that number will come down. But taking worse case scenario, you want to ideally have a 20% overhead. Some will go right to the edge but I’m not that type of engineer. lol. So on the 40amp Aux circuits you can safely do 32amps and for the 15amp Aux circuits you can do 12amps.

If the OPs lights are a pair and each light is actually pulling 120w…Which is a lot a lot a lot of light or a very inefficient light. Then OP will have to take one of the 40amp Aux circuits.

You are correct. However, I am also using the harness relay to allow for high/low beam switch using the main headlight high/low circuit and the AUX switch is only being used to turn the offroad lights on or off.

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