fender250

I recently installed a Carr light bar and 4 x Hella 500's on my pickup.



I am now looking at options for wiring these bad boys up. I am thinking of wiring up all 4 to one switch. Is this recommended? I also do not intend to wire these up to the headlights...going to go to the fusebox like the schematic below that I found in the FAQ section



Basically, I want to do this setup, but with 4 lights on one switch. Can 1 relay handle 4 lights?

I also am looking for suggestions on how to route the wires from the lights into the cab. I am considering drilling a hole on the edge of the roof by the light bar leg to accommodate this, but am open to ideas.

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Probably would work with a ~40 amp relay. Looking at 5 amps/light when running and usually you want a relay to be around 2x the running current rating to handle the higher start-up current.

fender250

The relay supplied with the Hella kits is a 40a/14vdc relay. So good to go there! Thx for the reply 4crawler!

Also, does anyone know they are referring to the fusebox under the hood or the kick panel in the cab in the schematic? I suppose either would work.

Now for routing. Anyone have any ideas here? I would really like to avoid drilling a hole in the roof, but I would say this is probably my best option for a 'clean' install.

aviator

They are referring to an aux. fusebox not the engine bay or cabin fuse box.
This is a separate fuse box just for the lights (and other extra goodies you might add) not included with the truck from the factory.
Where you locate it is up to you if you have one. If you put it in the engine bay you can easily connect it to the batt. if you do this I'd recommend using a marine rated fuse box to protect it from the moisture/spray.
There are several threads here and (I think) a tech article on adding an aux. fuse box. try a search
Aviator

blake.nemitz

i would drill a hole in the roof under the light bar mount and run the wired through to the inside of the light bar and then through the hole. it would be a clean install no wires in sight and if you seal it with a little silicon you wont leak water

fender250

Thx aviator. I took a look around and found a few writeups. Looks easy enough. I'll check out the local parts bin this evening and see if they sell any. If not, I'll just go thru the kick panel as I don't have any plans for a CB or winch on this truck anytime soon.

Blake, that's basically what I was planning on doing. I'm wondering if anyone out there has found a way into the cab without drilling. The only way I could see doing this would be to sneak the wires into one of the xtra cab windows or between the cab and the box, and come through the plug in the storage bins into the cab. Either way, not very clean. Looks like I'll be making a hole in the roof of my rig.

aa1911

iTrader: (1)

you're good with the supplied 40a relay, it can easily handle those. I'm doing the exact same thing to my runner here shortly.

Tofer

upgrade to HIDs for some serious light

fender250

Well, I'm hoping for some serious light too. Should 6 be enough??The 2 on the bumper are hooked up already.



Once they're all hooked up I'll post a pic. If I deem them not bright enough, HID it is.

blake.nemitz

if ya got a third brake light in back you could run it through there

aviator

i was going to suggest sneaking in along with the third brake light wires under the doghouse but you don't have that I see...
If you go through the roof you'll need a grommit and it will still leak. You are better off running down the A pillar along the top of the rain gutter (under the door seal lip) and bring it in either to the engine bay or cab with the rest of the wires. This is the same way they bring in the wiring on some EMS vehicles.