5 light light bar wiring

[FKN Slayer]

I am installing 5 - 7" round 51 watt led lights on a light bar. Each light has a hot and ground wire. Is there a simple way to join all five lights to 1 hot and 1 ground, then run the hot to an aux switch and the ground off the frame?. There are many harnesses available for 2 light set ups. I'm not finding any for larger amounts. Anyone have any ideas or solutions?

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[FKN Slayer]

Stupid question, can I just splice each light into the single wire?

 

[Snake Eyes]

I installed 4 cowl lights and had a total of 4 ground, 4 hot DRL, and 4 hot full LED to wire. So 12 wires.

I used blue butt connectors and went 4 to 2 to 1 for each of the three sets. Ended with single wire for each. Connected them and then taped it all up clean. This allowed one wire to aux for DRL, one wire to aux for LED and one wire to frame ground. You could try doing something similar. I was able to just use a blue connector due to the gauge size. Not sure if you can do that or need a 2-1 butt which I posted chart of below.

There are also other folks that have some nice equipment in their engine bay to bring in multiple wires. I am sure they will post here also.

 

[FKN Slayer]

Anyone else have some tips or tricks?

 

[Edub]

Thats exactly what I did. Lights on Chase Bar? | Jeep Gladiator Forum - JeepGladiatorForum.com

Yes, just run them all together into one switch. Make sure you multiply the amps X 5 and pick a switch that can handle it.

 

[OHJeeper]

So, basic math is: 51W X 5 = 255W.... 255W / 12V = 21.25 Amps (round up to 22 Amps). You'll need to make sure to use an AUX switch that can handle 22 Amps which is only AUX1 or AUX2. The other 2 are only rated for 15 Amps.

Other than that, yes: you can splice/join all the negative leads and all the positive leads into one wire. Again, based on 22 Amps I think you'll need 10 gauge or better wire.

 

[XraytecH]

It's a BUS box for rock lights but it should work.

https://luxlightingsystems.com/collections/installation/products/pro-installer-install-kit

 

[Kevin_D]

Other than that, yes: you can splice/join all the negative leads and all the positive leads into one wire. Again, based on 22 Amps I think you'll need 10 gauge or better wire.

A 12 gauge wire will be fine.

Kevin

 

[RJinPV]

This website has some more detailed info on the wire gauge recommendations. It doesn't just depend on the peak amperage. It also depends on the length of the wire you're running. So if you're drawing 25 amps then you should use 10 gauge if the run length is more than 4 ft, which is likely.
http://www.offroaders.com/technical/12-volt-wiring-tech-gauge-to-amps/

 

[Kevin_D]

So if you're drawing 25 amps then you should use 10 gauge if the run length is more than 4 ft, which is likely.

IF it was 25A, yes.
But, he’s looking at 22A, which was rounded up from a number derived using 12V. A more accurate voltage would be 13.5, which, based on his stated lamp wattage, gives under 20A.
A 12 gauge wire will be fine.

Kevin

 

[FKN Slayer]

Thats exactly what I did. Lights on Chase Bar? | Jeep Gladiator Forum - JeepGladiatorForum.com

Yes, just run them all together into one switch. Make sure you multiply the amps X 5 and pick a switch that can handle it.

Thanks, that is exactly how I want it to turn out. Any thoughts on a slick connector for making it QD?

 

[Edub]

Thanks, that is exactly how I want it to turn out. Any thoughts on a slick connector for making it QD?

Ever since I discovered deutsch connectors, I won't use anything else. they are a little pricey but reliable and fun to build. There are many types and I'm constantly replacing with something better as I venture deeper into the rabbits hole that is custom wiring. you can even find the more basic ones (what I am currently using) on amazon. They are waterproof and should fare just fine for what we are doing.

I should note, I immediately cannibalized the wiring harness that came with the lights and built my own that plugs in directly behind the lights, connecting them all together right away. that harness then plugs into a QD that runs down.

what lights are you going with?

 

[Edub]

It's a BUS box for rock lights but it should work.

https://luxlightingsystems.com/collections/installation/products/pro-installer-install-kit

He is literally just splicing wire together, why spend $180 on that? All 4 wires just need to run to a single wire and straight into the Aux switch lead. unless I missed something.

 

[RJWHD95]

Looks like Deutsch connectors use 14-20 gauge.

 

[Kevin_D]

Size 12 contacts, 14-12ga., 25A…

JRready DTP Connector Kit ST6138 2 Pin Gray Waterproof Electrical Wire Connector with Size 12 Solid Contact 14-12 AWG Current Rating 25 Amps,2 Sets https://a.co/d/iPvXrfW

Kevin

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