So, i am wiring up carriage lights, and need some help, as wiring makes my head spin.

I have wire, i have 5 12V lamps, i have 3 30 amp relays, and i have one switch.

I only want one switch.

I know how to wire the lamp wires to the relay, its the relay to the switch that has me confused. I have a 4 pin switch, where one of the pins is "in- 12vdc fused 15A" and another is ground. The other two are "out- relay". I have 5 lights, can i either wire three lights to one relay, or three relays to two pins? Or do i need a different switch?

 

I am electrically challenged but let's see if I can help some...I am no expert on this as I sucked at circuits...that is why I'm a MECHANICAL engineer.

What WATTAGE are your lamps will determine a lot?

For argument's sake, let's say they are 55W each...275W total.

Watts = Volts x Amps

Thus for a 12V system you'd need 22.9 A for (5) 55W lamps...so one 30 A relay and one 30 A switch would work...

For (5) 100 W lights, you have 500W and would need 41 A, so then you'll have to use 2 switches or somehow wire them with multiple relays, but I still don't think you'll find an ordinary switch that will handle all (5) if they are 100W.

Someone please show me the error of my ways if I am mistaken here...I'll gladly repent.

 

Well, they are 55W i believe, but i though with using a relay, i'd be okay with my 16A switch? Maybe not? The switch was designed for this aplication, so i figured it'd be okay.

 

So this is a "kit" or just a bunch of stuff you've got together? If it is a kit, just follow their wiring up instructions. If you've put all this stuff together, wait for "professional" help on here.

 

not like this

 

Any switch will work. All the switch needs to do is switch the supply to the relay. The Current running the lights will be coming straight from your battery through the relay to the lights. If waskillywabbit's math is right, you will only need one relay. The easiest way to figure out the switch is with a multimeter. All you need is on/off. Set the meter to ohms, and that will show what connections will open and close.

 

From our Tech section, an article by me
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f127/wiring-up-auxiliary-lights-2nd-gen-4runner-75274/

In that article is a link to a Hella 500 lamp installation I scanned in.
It shows you how to hook the relay and switch up.

 

Yeah, i saw that when i searched, Corey, but it wasn't what i wanted. I know i can hook up two lights to the relay, my question was about hooking up 3 or more lights to the relay or two or more relays to the switch.

This is not a kit. I have a nifty switch, that is custom printed for my application, and the lights are tractor lights designed for high vibration, waterproof, and have a broad, rectangular pattern. The relay is from autozone or napa, i can't remember.

So, assuming i have 55 W lights (i'm at work, otherwise i'd know for sure), i should be able to hook all 5 up to the relay, and then wire the relay to the switch. If something explodes, i'll let you know.

 

The switch is not being a voltage/amperage bottleneck when using relays.

Wire each pair of lights to a relay.

Wire each trigger part of each relay to one lead of the switch, then ground the switch.

 

very well said flygtenstein.

a relay is simply made of two circuts, the switching circut and the switched circut. the swiching circut uses a very small ammount of electricty to switch a higher circut.

as far with 3 relays, sure you can do it. wire up 2 lights to 2 of the relays and give the last light it's own relay, or do 2 relays, if power is sufficient. even though it may be a 30 amp relay, i still like to run as little power through them as possible, as when those contacts inside the relay close, if there is a lot of amperage being drawn, it will spark internally, creating carbon buildup on the metal, and the relay wont last long or it willl put resistance in the line, so your lights wont be as bright as they should.

if you need anymore specific help, feel free to email me at j-b-o-g-g-s at socal.rr.com

take out the "-"s, spaces and change the at to @