Wiring multiple pairs of auxiliary LED lights to one AUX Switch (factory)?

[ynygma]

Hello all,

I have a 21 JLUR and my buddy has a 20 JT and we both have the factory-installed AUX switches.

We have been looking for videos on how to wire multiple pairs of pod lights on one AUX switch, AUX 3 or 4 (since the total amperage of the four lights is under 15 amps) but haven't found anything...

Do we need to splice the pairs we want on one switch together, use a connector, etc? If splicing, where do you splice and how etc please? Are there any good step-by-step videos that walk you through this process?

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[jludave]

Do we need to splice the pairs we want on one switch together, use a connector, etc?

Essentially, you want to tie all the wiring together. You can connect one light's wiring to the switch wiring and then use t-taps to connect the others to that. You can also twist wires together and use butt connectors.

 

[Themistocles]

Hello all,

I have a 21 JLUR and my buddy has a 20 JT and we both have the factory-installed AUX switches.

We have been looking for videos on how to wire multiple pairs of pod lights on one AUX switch, AUX 3 or 4 (since the total amperage of the four lights is under 15 amps) but haven't found anything...

Do we need to splice the pairs we want on one switch together, use a connector, etc? If splicing, where do you splice and how etc please? Are there any good step-by-step videos that walk you through this process?

The first answer is spot on. I would add that the aux are rated 2 x 15 amp and 2 x 30 amp. Know if you are tying to a 15 amp or 30 amp switch. If you are tying multiple pairs of lights together make sure you check the amp draws of the individual lights...add up all the draws....and don't exceed the max (I would recommend a little space 12 amp max for the 15 amp switches and about 26 amps max for the 30 amp switches).

Also, once you tie all the wires together to run to ground or positive, make sure you are using a wire (try to find pure copper vs aluminum) with a big enough gauge to take the combined amp draw (with room to spare). Finally really strongly recommend using waterproof connectors like Weatherpacks or Deutsch.

 

[DavidArmen]

Because the factory Aux switches have their own relays and fuses, all that can be cut off from the lights and you can leave only the ground and positive wires from all the lights.

You then connect all of them together, so connect all the positives together and connect all the negatives together. This is called parallel wiring, it leaves the voltage the sam and increases the amperage. This is what you want because our Jeeps are 12v systems. It doesn’t matter what method you use to connect all the positive and negative wires together.

After all of the lights are connected together and there is only one main ground and one main positive, you connect that main positive to the aux wire of your choice and you connect the main ground wire to one of the ground posts located around the edge of the engine compartment around the battery. There is actually one right next to where the aux wires are, beside the battery.

You can also just connect the ground wire directly to the battery negative but I would connect it to ground post just to not clog up the battery negative terminal with too many wires.

 

[DavidArmen]

The first answer is spot on. I would add that the aux are rated 2 x 15 amp and 2 x 30 amp. Know if you are tying to a 15 amp or 30 amp switch. If you are tying multiple pairs of lights together make sure you check their amp draws of the individual lights...add up all the draws....and don't exceed the max (I would recommend a little space 12 amp max for the 15 amp switches and about 26 amps max for the 30 amp switches).

Yes exactly what he said. Except AUX1 and AUX2 are 40amp circuits. You don’t wanna exceed the rated amp draw or you will constantly blow the fuse to that particular Aux circuit, if not worse.
So, as I stated earlier, since we are connecting them in parallel, voltage stays the same but the amperage increases. So, as @Themistocles said, you need to look at each individual light and find the current draw for each one and then add them all together and ensure that you are at least 15% below the current rating for the particular Aux circuit you want to use.

There is nothing more to it. Have fun!

 

[Twisted Patriot]

I'm not super knowledgeable when it comes to electrical.. I'm a decent mechanic but electrical is not my thing. I have a set of rigid Pod lights and wanted to add a second set to the same switch. I see people talked about t taps.. or twisting wires together.. but could the 3-way butt connectors be used too? Something like this?

 

[jludave]

could the 3 butt connectors be used too? Something like this?

Yes.

 

[Twisted Patriot]

Yes.

OK cool.. I mistyped and said 3 butt connectors, but I meant "3-way" butt connecters.. but I assume you knew what I meant.. kinda want use one of those terminal blocks but not sure where to secure it.. I was gonna get a badgeglow simple aux but they don't have them anymore

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