Wiring lights directly to battery circuit.

grsthegreat · Dec 6, 2011

I second the relay ( or continual-use solenoid) idea, hooked up to the key circuit. Whenever the key is on, the solenoid is active, but the lights wont operate unless their switch is turned on. However if you shut off the tractor, the lights WILL always turn off saving your battery. I use the same thing for a winch circuit on my F350. The same circuit also ran a work light by the winch, and i accidentally left it on. NOW it cant operate UNLESS the key is on.

mjncad · Dec 7, 2011

oldnslo said:
One example of what I am talking about can be seen at Welcome to Cyclenutz - Motorcycle Accessories for people who are NUTZ about Motorcycles

Good grief that's an expensive fuse block! Here are some other fuse blocks at a more reasonable price. ATC® & ATO® Fuse Panel w/ Grounding Pad

RidgeHiker said:
Is this how the relay works? I assume the power supply feeds into the relay and from the relay directly to the lights. A separate circuit would go from the relay to the switch and back to trigger the relay. Is this correct?

If the above is correct I guess I could do it 2 ways - does this make sense?:
1. Switch the relay from the main key switch and have an on/off switch in line to the lights from the relay. The lights would not stay on with the key off.
2. Switch the relay with an on/off switch which would permit the lights to be on with the key off.

Yep. Maybe this will help you with some ideas. https://picasaweb.google.com/110106108324823291002/LightsCameraACTION#

PHILIP8N · Dec 7, 2011

I hooked my lights up to starter lug that runs to battery with in-line fuse. Philip.

Soundguy · Dec 7, 2011

if you have a cetner reading ammeter that shows net charge.. don't wire to the battery as you will defeat the net charge / discharge scheme.

if no ammeter / charge lamp.. then it really don't matter.. source from a spot capable of handling the load, and fuse to protect the wireing and switch.

soundguy

joeyd · Dec 7, 2011

Anything electrical might as well be martian to me but I was able to add a couple of work lights to my ROPS. I went off the battery with an inline fuse, plastic cable loom, blade connectors and waterproof electrical tape on all connections. I did not install a switch as my lights have individual on/off switches on each light, no chance of turning them on accidently in daylight. It is hard to walk away from your tractor with the rear work lights on at night. That being said guess who will do it this season.:laughing:

Zebrafive · Jan 13, 2012

RidgeHiker said:
Is this how the relay works? I assume the power supply feeds into the relay and from the relay directly to the lights. A separate circuit would go from the relay to the switch and back to trigger the relay. Is this correct?

If the above is correct I guess I could do it 2 ways - does this make sense?:
1. Switch the relay from the main key switch and have an on/off switch in line to the lights from the relay. The lights would not stay on with the key off.
2. Switch the relay with an on/off switch which would permit the lights to be on with the key off.

If I understand 1.correctly, you want the the relay to be triggered any time the key is "ON" then put a switch between the relay and the load. NOT the way to do this. (A) relay will be "ON" 100% of the time the key is "ON" (B) the switch must be able to handle the full current the load draws. Defeats the purpose of a relay. It WILL prevent the lights from working with the key "OFF"

2 Will work as stated. Lights can be controlled with the key "OFF" If this is what you want, Run fused 12 volts to relay. Jumper 12 volts to coil side of realy. Run switched side of relay to load. Run other side of relay coil to your switch, then from switch to ground.

The way I would do it: Run fused 12 volt to "IN" switched side of relay. Then from "OUT" switched side of relay to the load. The will be two switched "OUTS". NC (normally closed) and NO (normally open). You want NO (normally open). Then from your key switch you want a wire that is only powered when the key is "ON". splice into this wire, go to your switch, go to your relay coil, from other side of relay coil go to ground. Key must be "ON" AND switch must be "ON" for lights to work. As long as you don't leave the key "ON" the lights will not be "ON" and run down your battery.