Exterior Semi-Tech General discussion of exterior for the Ford Ranger.

Lighting help!!!!

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Old 10-07-2008
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Lighting help!!!!

OK So I bought some lights off of Korey89 and they don't have the wiring harness and relay. So my question is how do I wire all this up? I heard that you don't need to use relays if you use big enough wire and switches and things that are supposed to hold that amount of power. So just wondering what I need to do.

Also I think I am going to buy some cheaper lights at advanced auto for the rear and underneath the truck for wheeling. Could I wire into those relays even if they are on different switches?
 
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Old 10-07-2008
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Attached Thumbnails Lighting help!!!!-relay-diagram.gif  

Last edited by Redneckstone; 10-07-2008 at 06:29 PM.
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Old 10-07-2008
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That pic didn't work!
 
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Old 10-07-2008
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try that... grabbed it offline they prob dont like hosting
 
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Works now!
 
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Old 10-08-2008
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So what all do I need to buy? What size relay and all that stuff. What size wire? I have some like 8 or 10 gauge speaker wire, will that work? Just need to know before I go and buy the wrong ****!
 
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what size lights
 
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Old 10-08-2008
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I believe they are 7" Hella's. They say Comet 500 on the back. Here is a pic.

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Also on this. I am going to buy 8 more lights for underneath the truck. 4 on each side. I want to wire each side to one switch. How do I do this? When do I wire them in? Before or after the relay? Should I just use everything that comes with the lights and wire them into one switch? If there is no relays what size ones do I need to run 8 55W lights?

I know its a lot but I don't wanna **** this up. Thanks!
 
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Old 10-08-2008
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A standard relay is good for about 30 amps. At 55w each light will draw about 4.6A each, so conservatively we will say 5A each is the draw. A maximum of 6 lights can be powered from a standard relay. The relay is used to switch the power properly. Most stitches, even if they say they are rated for that much power, are crappy and can easily melt or break and short out on or near the mounting surface. Another purpose for this it to not have to bring the power all the way to the switch and through the firewall and all. The "high power" side of the replay can remain in a safer place than inside the cab. Look up various size charts for the length and draw you will have and the proper size. 8-10 Ga wire should be sufficient, but I doubt that it is speaker wire like you previously stated. I would run at least 10ga wire, I did that for my air compressor for my horns. Properly fuse the system and wiring the relays and such and you will be fine. Sounds like you have a little more reading to do.


Why do you need so many lights under the truck?
 
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Yeah I am not the best with wiring thats why I'm asking. LOL I have done systems and a few lights but nothing like this. I want the lights for wheeling so that I can light up the ground.

Do you have maybe a diagram like stone posted? And where would the fuse run to? I know the relay is in the wiring but where would the fuse be to? The fuse box? Cause I normally run everything to the battery.

I need all the help I can get or maybe a place to find all this info to get it done! Thanks
 
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Old 10-13-2008
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Bump! Anymore help??
 
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Old 10-13-2008
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FIRST sticky in the general tech/electrical section:

https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ad.php?t=53994
 
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Old 10-13-2008
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Yes but that is only for 1 or 2 lights. I am going to be running more than that. But I will try and see if I can do it off of that. Thanks
 
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Old 10-13-2008
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The diagrams are for 2 lights but the concepts are the same. Read about calculating amperage from wattage and voltage. Out of those 3 you can always find 1 given the other 2. They are very simple calculations. Any line coming off the battery should be fused at some point, the closer to the battery the better. Do you know what a relay does? how it works? Read about it. All your questions can be answered with simple google searches. If you understand what you read then I think you'll understand it better by figuring it out for yourself. Unless you want somebody on here to draw you a diagram for your specific application, all the information is already available.
 
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Old 10-13-2008
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Yeah that is what I am doing now. With those diagrams I am searching google and drawing my own diagram so that I can figure it out before I start anything.
 
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Old 10-13-2008
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Oh man, I didn't know that you didn't have any wiring or relays or anything. I had a bunch of that stuff sitting here when I shipped it out and figured you already had the stuff, but I just gave it all to my friend the other day.

Those are Hella 500's.

You need wire, a relay, a toggle switch, some connectors, and an inline fuse.
 
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Old 10-13-2008
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OK I will add that stuff to the list.
 
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