Series or Parallel

[Dave___in___CT]

Hi...


Yeah... just 1 of those throws a lotta' light... might wanna' switch each individually just in case they draw too much when both are on...


Dave...

 

[DaveNay]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( #1) Run the lights to a relay so that the switch only powers the relay and the switch doesn't take the full load of the power draw.)</font>

This is an excellent idea. If I did this, I could probably just tap into the existing lighting selector switch to run the relay. Unless of course I want the flexibility to operate the extra lights independently.....hmmmm....yeah, I'll probably stick with the additional (weatherproof) toggle switch for the lights. Maybe even do them seperately as someone else suggested.

Dave

 

[DaveNay]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If 9 amps strains your alternator, you might want to see how much light just one unit throws. 55 watts of halogen light is a lot if the floodlight lense can spread it wide enough.)</font>

Yeah, I am aware that the 9 amps might be a high draw on the alternator, and will draw down the battery. I a prepared to admit that I may need to charge the battery after using the lights. THe two switches is an excellent idea. I will probably do just that.

Dave

 

[DaveNay]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Can someone recommend an online source for the waterproof switches and a relay. Where do people mount the relay? I've never used relays before, are they just a few bigger wires in and out to carry the load and a wire in and out to make a switch? )</font>

I like to use McMaster Carr for this type of thing. I can't guarantee that they have the best pricing, but they almost always have what you need.

Dave

 

[BB_TX]

Here are some options for wiring the lights using a relay. If you get a relay with contacts rated for 10 amps, you will only need one contact. If the contacts are rated less than 10 (they must be rated 5 or more) then you will need to wire a contact to each light.
If you can get a heavy duty switch rated for 10 amps, you will not need the relay. Or if you use 2 switches, one for each light, and those switches are rated at least 5 amps, you will not need the relay.

 

[BB_TX]

Oops. My drawing lost something in the conversion. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif This one is a little better. I will have to work on it. But I think you can get the basic idea.

 

[RobertN]

Many light "kits" come with wire, lights, relays ect. They usually won't come with water proof switches though, as most are made for interior mounting on a car/pickup/ect.

Those that come individually usually have a relay/installation kit available too. I have seen this at 4wd/off-road stores, Kragen/Checker ect.

 

[MDNick]

Funny you should mention McMaster Carr, and this topic. I just got in the following for this EXACT project.

DC Relay, Weather Proof 9672K14 2 $6.69
Toggle Switch 7343K18 2 $3.07
Switch Boot 70205K4 2 $2.08
Blade Style Fuse Holder 8110K3 2 $2.67

Note that the 2 is the quantity. No one mentioned fuses. I got the fuse holder for auto style fuses. I advocate getting them strongly. Installation is this weekend. I have 2 trapezoids to point forward and one flood backward. I should get plenty of light. The switches are actually not water or weather proof, but they are inside the dash, and my tractor lives inside a garage so they should last quite some time.

Nick

 

[DaveNay]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Funny you should mention McMaster Carr, and this topic. I just got in the following for this EXACT project.

DC Relay, Weather Proof 9672K14 2 $6.69
Toggle Switch 7343K18 2 $3.07
Switch Boot 70205K4 2 $2.08
Blade Style Fuse Holder 8110K3 2 $2.67

Note that the 2 is the quantity. No one mentioned fuses. I got the fuse holder for auto style fuses. I advocate getting them strongly. Installation is this weekend. I have 2 trapezoids to point forward and one flood backward. I should get plenty of light. The switches are actually not water or weather proof, but they are inside the dash, and my tractor lives inside a garage so they should last quite some time.

Nick
)</font>

I placed my order with McMaster Carr today too! I went with the following:

Qty | Part Number/Description | Unit Price |

2 7172K41 - Splashproof Toggle $9.00
Switch Spst, On-Off, 15 Amps

2 70205K26 - Switch Seal and Boot $2.83
Plain Toggle Boot, M12 Thread
Size, 0.86" H, Black

I spent the extra money for the high current rated switches, and I am going to skip the relays. The switches are also splash proof. I am putting both floodlights aimed to the rear for task lighting. I do a lot of post holes, and rear blade work should be heavy this winter and spring.

We will be doing the same task project weekend Nick! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MDNick]

Dave,

Didn't Disney have a song about that:

"It's a small world after all . . ."

Good luck

Nick