Light bar wiring

[Maddog]

Hi guys,

I want to put a light bar on my camper but before i do i want to just confirm this is the right way to wire it all up.

I want to put a two way switch in so i can switch it to come on with the main beam headlights off the normal column stalk and then the other side of the switch i want it to just switch on independently of everything else, then the middle position of the switch is just always off.

I have knocked up a VERY basic wiring diagram (I am no electrical engineer) just showing how i think it should be done.

Please could you guys in the know confirm if this is the correct way to do it.

A loom with a switch comes with the bar and i just intend to change the switch and tap in from the mainbeam side.

The thing that concerns me is that this way it looks as though when its running without the Mainbeams, is the load taken through the Switch or does the trigger come back from the battery to trigger the relay and take the load through the relay and ultimately from the battery OR do i need to perhaps add another independent wire from the other side of the switch as well as the one to the battery. Apologies if this doesnt make sense. I have a bit of electrical knowledge but i just cant get my head around this bit.

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[Robotstar5]

This should help.

I've used conventional relay numbering, 85 & 86 are the coil, 30 is the supply and 87 goes to the light bar.

 

[tigdlo]

The thing that concerns me is that this way it looks as though when its running without the Mainbeams, is the load taken through the Switch or does the trigger come back from the battery to trigger the relay and take the load through the relay and ultimately from the battery OR do i need to perhaps add another independent wire from the other side of the switch as well as the one to the battery. Apologies if this doesnt make sense. I have a bit of electrical knowledge but i just cant get my head around this bit.

Your diagram is correct and the lights will always be powered from the battery through the relay with the switch turning the relay on.

I'm not sure 2 way switch is the correct name, I know them as ON-OFF-ON switches

 

[dan treg]

as above and i don't think you want to connect to main beam fuse you need to connect to the output of the main beam otherwise will be permanently switched on

 

[Maddog]

Thank you all very helpful.

as above and i don't think you want to connect to main beam fuse you need to connect to the output of the main beam otherwise will be permanently switched on

So does this mean that the Main beam fuse is always live, even when the main beams are turned off?

 

[dan treg]

Thank you all very helpful.


So does this mean that the Main beam fuse is always live, even when the main beams are turned off?

i would say so, so the feed needs to come of the wire or feed from the actual headlight or headlight circuit . the fuse will be live when the ignition is on or permanently live depending on the wiring diagram

 

[Maddog]

Ok thanks mate.

I only thought to piggy back off the main beam fuse as I saw a you tube video and that’s how he did it on a Transit.

Thanks.

 

[Robotstar5]

Thank you all very helpful.


So does this mean that the Main beam fuse is always live, even when the main beams are turned off?

It will vary between manufacturers, an easy test is to connect a 12 volt bulb between the fuse and earth, if it lights up with the main beams OFF you will have to look elsewhere for a trigger point.

 

[Maddog]

Thanks guys, its not the end of the world if i have to tap a main beam wire instead.

I have this wiring harness that came with the light bar kit, but i want to lose the switch that came with the kit, do i just do it like shown below?

I already have a on-off-on switch

Thanks guys.

 

[Robotstar5]

That should work, ideally the wire between the battery and the on-off-on switch should be protected by a fuse - example

 

[Maddog]

Perfect thank you.. Nice little rewarding job for Weekend.

 

[pawsnizzy]

Your diagram is correct and the lights will always be powered from the battery through the relay with the switch turning the relay on.

I'm not sure 2 way switch is the correct name, I know them as ON-OFF-ON switches

Centre OFF switch