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Rock Light wiring help

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by bs63366, Jan 1, 2020.

  1. Jan 1, 2020 at 10:59 PM
    #1
    bs63366

    bs63366 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    San Angelo
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    2014 Tacoma TRD Off Road DCSB
    ARE Z-series shell, ImMrYo mirror lift, always on fog-lights.
    I grabbed a set of these rock lights off Amazon and am getting ready to order what I need to get them wired up and I am just wanting to verify that I am getting the proper size wire for them. I am looking to use possibly 6 or all 8 depending on how bright they are. Going by the info on Amazon, they are labeled as 9 watts but I believe thats at 32v which puts it at .28A. How would the wattage shift if I am running them at 13.7 volts? Based off of that I should be fine to run all of them on a 18 gauge wire correct?

    Would it be worth bumping up to 16 gauge to have a buffer in case I upgrade to Baja Designs rock lights later on? With this coming in at under 5A, would that be a good fuse to put on this line? As for running the wiring, would I be best off running a single hot in a C and branch all of the lights off of it for the power and then hit a body/chassis ground near each light?

    Thank you all for the help, I think I have this figured out, but wanting to make sure that I am actually doing this right and not just overdoing it for no reason.
     
    Luke-Maine likes this.
  2. Jan 2, 2020 at 9:43 AM
    #2
    paranoid56

    paranoid56 Well-Known Member

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    18ga would be fine for those, if going to BD lights depending on how many you run 18ga is also fine, you can go overkill and use 16 if you want.
     
  3. Jan 3, 2020 at 11:42 PM
    #3
    bs63366

    bs63366 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    2014 Tacoma TRD Off Road DCSB
    ARE Z-series shell, ImMrYo mirror lift, always on fog-lights.
    I'd like to have enough gauge to be able to at least replace with 8 BD lights in the future.

    Does the way I am looking to wire this sound correct?

    Thank you for the reply!
     
  4. Jan 4, 2020 at 12:08 AM
    #4
    bs63366

    bs63366 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    2014 Tacoma TRD Off Road DCSB
    ARE Z-series shell, ImMrYo mirror lift, always on fog-lights.
    I'm putting more into wiring these up properly then I did in the actual lights to future proof them and make them easy to replace in case I damage the lights. I am getting an order together for the wiring and weather packs on each light and wanting to make sure I have everything right before I drop the coin on it all.
     
  5. Jan 4, 2020 at 12:27 AM
    #5
    lawless

    lawless the rent is too damn high

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    I just wired up 8 of these on my rig. I suggest 16 gauge but you could probably use 18. 18 creeps me out because it's so thin. Think about the angry pixies!

    If you're doing rock lights put one in front of the front tire, one just behind the front tire, one in front of the rear tire and one behind it. You'll be lit up.

    I put each light on a quick disconnect so I can replace them easily if they get thrashed. Got some sweet mounts from Rago but they were expensive.
     
  6. Jan 24, 2020 at 6:47 PM
    #6
    Luke-Maine

    Luke-Maine Well-Known Member

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    Led Reverse Lights, Hitch, Foglights, K&N Air Filter.
    Let us know how you route the wires! I would appreciate if you get the chance to take some pictures, thanks!
     
  7. Jan 24, 2020 at 9:22 PM
    #7
    bs63366

    bs63366 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    ARE Z-series shell, ImMrYo mirror lift, always on fog-lights.
    It will be a bit, looks like I am spending more on the wiring then the lights, but I will be running the wires from the battery to the switch in the cab and then a c that runs inside the frame and snakes out for the lights where I want them when I check it at night for the light throw. Hopefully thats helpful!
     
    Luke-Maine[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Jan 25, 2020 at 7:51 AM
    #8
    Luke-Maine

    Luke-Maine Well-Known Member

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    15' White 2wd Access cab, 5 lugger
    Led Reverse Lights, Hitch, Foglights, K&N Air Filter.
    Yea im having trouble finding a cost effective shielded wire than i can easily, what are you using?
     
  9. Jan 25, 2020 at 11:44 PM
    #9
    bs63366

    bs63366 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    ARE Z-series shell, ImMrYo mirror lift, always on fog-lights.
    I am looking at probably using SXL wiring from wiringdepot.com. Not exactly cost effective, but I believe thats the proper wiring for the use from what I have found reading around.
     
  10. Jan 27, 2020 at 1:52 PM
    #10
    PhenixFord

    PhenixFord Well-Known Member

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    Are you planning on running the wire close to a high heat source? Standard automotive wiring will be fine. Which ever one you decide, I would still suggest covering the wiring with split-loom.
     
  11. Aug 3, 2020 at 8:54 AM
    #11
    DiverDave94

    DiverDave94 Member

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    6”rough country lift

    Any pics or videos that would be helpful? This is my first electrical job I’m gonna do. Thanks in advance.
     
  12. Oct 28, 2021 at 1:31 PM
    #12
    dpele

    dpele Pele Prints Vendor

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    Edmonton, Alberta
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    Elka 2.0 w/ OME Dakars, 285/70/R17 Duratracs, & more!
    Reviving this old thread!
    What wire was used and how was it routed?

    :cheers:
     

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