I just wired up a big pair of "back up" lights...

[Mr. Kent]

...and I was wondering if what I did was okay:

The pair of lights came with everything necessary. I installed the lighted switch to the right of the steering column with no sweat and connected the lights and grounding to the switch. As far as power, I just stripped the end of the hot-lead wire, pulled out a fuse that really wasn't being used anyway (for a rear wiper...but my TJ has a soft top only so...), and bent the stripped wire around the tip of the fuse. I then replaced the fuse and VIOLA!

...this is probably a "ghetto" way of doing it, but that's how I've done it before (with lights AND with radar detectors too). What I'm wondering though is if it's safe...

Thanks in advance guys! :D

[Jerry Bransford]

Whether how the lights were wired will work long-term depends on how many watts they're drawing. If they are high wattage bulbs, a relay should be used to keep the high current out of the switch and the wiring gauge needs to be heavy enough too. Not many small automotive switches are able to handle the current of big high-wattage lights without a relay. smile.gif

[Mr. Kent]

Well, maybe I should clarify...they're not THAT big...just bigger than the little dinky stock reverse lights. The kit didn't come with a relay, so I'm assuming it doesn't need one. They're just two rectangular 2"x4" lights...

...now if I get a big set for the front, that'll be a different story! ;)

Sorry for the misleading topic...

So I should be okay?

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally posted by Mr. Kent:
So I should be okay? So long as a reasonable wire gauge was used, life will be good for those lights and the switch. smile.gif

[NJCJ7]

nice thing about a relay too, besides their ability to handle power, is that you could get the signal from the reverse lights wire, power straight from the battery, and leave the switch in on position so that your new lights come on automatically when you reverse. Off postion would prevent them from coming on if your just in a crowded parking lot or something. This works best if you are using them solely as backup lights. If you want to be able to use them as rear spots, or in any situation where you'd have them on and NOT be in reverse, then this may not be the method for you.

[94JeepYJ]

Hey Mr. Kent, do you have a picture of your jeep with the 2" lift and 32's??? Can you email me a pic? I am thinking of the same set-up for mine but I'm wondering how it will look. Thanks, Rob, rkrupa@hntb.com

[SHARPSHOOTER]

You see any problems wiring a single light (55w) right into the factory wiring to the reverse lights?

[Scrambler82]

:cool:

Let's assume that you have used the best wire size and everything else you need to get the brightest light possible out of the new lights.

The only problem that arrises is the way you hooked up the power.
What would make you think a wire wrapped around a fuse is considered a good long tern electrical connection ?

After a few bumps you will start to notice intermitant problems and then down hill from there.

I like to "Do it right the first time" so this setup would never happen if your Jeep was in my shop.

At lest use a fuse power tap, it is a device that snaps on to the end of the fuse and allows a wire lug to slip on. I wouls solder the lug to the tap and then snap it to the fuse.

After that consider what the wattage is on the lights and then lets start talking relays and wire gauge.

Sorry to be blunt but whay ask for problems.

Later,

[Scrambler82]

:cool:

Superman, I mean Mr Kent, how did your hookup work out ?