Wiring up my driving lights
 

Just wondering about wire size etc. I got some 10gauge from radion shack (is that big enough? Its the biggest they had...) and i'm going to use a mic connector and flush mount it to my roof and use that as the connector but how are you all wiring up your lights? I'm going to have two switches for these buggers (i have two hella 500s and two hella FF1000s on the rack so I want to be able to turn them on seperately. My main quesiton is could I get away with running one 10gauge wire for the ground or should I run two? and same goes for the pos side, will one 10 gauge be enough to power two of these puppies (stock bulbs for now).

Thanks!

10 & 14 gauge wire is fine.
https://www.yotatech.com/~corey/tech...ghts/corey.htm

Wire each set of lamps seperatly with their own relay, switch, ground and power wires.

Balanced XLR connector for lights? Even if you do manage to solder 10 gauge to it, I don't know how it would react to being filled with rain water.

Thanks corey!

Didn't think to look in the tech section... :pat:

4Runr,
Not an xlr, but a microphone cable with 4prongs and a screw tight cap. I'll test how waterproof it is before I cut, I'll keep you guys posted...

Here are pics of the connectors...

http://www.radioshack.com/images/Pro...74/274-025.jpg
http://www.radioshack.com/images/Pro...74/274-002.jpg

I just ran 14 gauge the whole way for power and ground and then used the Hella wires to the switch.

Post some pics when you've got it done!

Fink:devil:

Made some progress today,
I got the two primary lights wired up, now I need to go back to RadioShack and get some T-crimps for the other two lights.

Question,
What adhesive should I use to waterproof the plug? I got two plugs so I can test one to see how waterproof it is so I want to go ahead and get some of the stuff to test it out on something esle so I will know for sure it won't leak when I actually start drilling holes in my truck :)

Thanks!

Here are the pics you asked for... :bigok:

http://homepage.mac.com/turboale/images/lights/1.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/turboale/images/lights/2.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/turboale/images/lights/3.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/turboale/images/lights/4.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/turboale/images/lights/5.jpg

i wouldnt use a microphone connector.. it was designed to pass a low current signal, not big lights! thats jsut asking for a roof fire.......

Thats true, but it looks like a solid connection... I mean, its basicly the same connector as the FF1000s just 4 together in one plug... :dunno:

there is a differnce in an elctrical connector and an audio signal connector....

as for water in the plug, use a electrical gel to sealwater out, the same used on spark plug wire boots. i dont think the connector is a bad idea, dont run the lights for long period of time.

geez! i don't think you should run that much current through a mic connector. those are not designed for a bunch of current. they're only deisgned for a couple hundred milliamps coming from the mic signal.

even if the lights are only 100W (i don't know what they really are), then at 12V, that over a kilowatt of power. that's way above what those are spec'd for.

they make electrical connectors liek that that can handle the power... we have some plugs that i use in the band im in like that rated for 20 amps on 10 guage wires

sweet, where can I get some/find some?

I'm going to start going in the marine direction, they are used to water...

15amps at 12v isn't enough is it?

http://www.westmarine.com/images/full/10653_f.jpg

probably want a little more.. i am guessing at least 20 amps... the ligths i have setup on my truck (3) 1 hella in the middle and 2 navigator brand from pepboys .... works out to being a 17.5 amp load when they are on.... so 4 lights and especially higher powerd ones might not be able to handle that... its always better to let the fuse be the fusible link..... look at hte hardware store in the elctrical house wiring section.... most house circuits are 30 amp rated

the marine idea is ok as well, as they are in water conditions, and also saltwater, so they can withstand the elements... and most boats have their own AC power....

Yeah you're probably gonna want more amps than that...the switch I bought is 20amps and the connectors are rated for way more than that.

Just my $.02 though,

Fink:devil:

here check out this site.. has a lot of good info on it... and with lighting electrical, its always better to go overkill then too little... http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

Damn,
I thought all those other wires were just puny! I'm glad I found the 10 gauge! Thats a cool site, lots of info. Thanks for the link.

Do you know of a place to find good T-Crimps? I couldn't find any locally... :bang: the ones in west marine looked a little weak...

t crimps are ghetto... and i am not sure if they make them in 10 guage... might want to jsut get a power distribution block, or cut the wire and solder it in a Y formation.....