AUX Switch and LED front bumper lights

[Ego_Jeep]

New owner and first post here. I purchased my 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon back in December 2024, to replace my BMW X2 M35i, and that was the best car purchase I have ever made.

Recently I purchased a front and rear bumper from Aaiwa, and my question pertains to connecting the large LED light and the two small spot LED lights (in orange rectangles) to one of the AUX switches.

According to the manufacturer, each light draws between 12-24V of power. This is their actual answer to my question: "Yes, that's correct! Each light, including the large LED and the two LED lights below the light bar, operates within the voltage range of 12-24V." Their first reply: "Our LED lights typically operate within a voltage range of 12-24V, and the total wattage is generally under 240W "

I know about the AMPs for each AUX switch (1 & 2 40 AMP and 3 & 4 15 AMP), but can I safely use one of the 40AMP AUX switches to operate all 3 lights?

I'm still not well versed in electrical terms, so I'm reaching out to learn something new.

Thanks!

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[Figmo]

You'd need to know the wattage to calculate how many amps you'll actually be pulling. But almost certainly you could power all of them off 40 amps. LEDs are pretty efficient. You can contact the manufacturer and ask them the wattage of each of those lights if you want to calculate it exactly.

If in doubt, you can always use a relay. Note that using a relay also allows you to use a lower amperage aux switch (as you are now ONLY powering the relay through the switch, not the lights) thus saving the higher amp circuits for some future mod that might require them.

Side note: Another thing to consider is to take advantage of the "12v-24v" range those lights support. You could get a step up transformer to convert your 12v to 24v. This will have the benefit of lowering the amperage substantially while also pushing more light out of those LEDs. ("Watt's Law" is Amps = Watts/Volts, so higher the volts, lower the amps). This introduces a little more complexity to your wiring but maximizes the efficiency of your lights while using thinner wiring.

 

[Ego_Jeep]

You'd need to know the wattage to calculate how many amps you'll actually be pulling. But almost certainly you could power all of them off 40 amps. LEDs are pretty efficient. You can contact the manufacturer and ask them the wattage of each of those lights if you want to calculate it exactly.

If in doubt, you can always use a relay. Note that using a relay also allows you to use a lower amperage aux switch (as you are now ONLY powering the relay through the switch, not the lights) thus saving the higher amp circuits for some future mod that might require them.

Side note: Another thing to consider is to take advantage of the "12v-24v" range those lights support. You could get a step up transformer to convert your 12v to 24v. This will have the benefit of lowering the amperage substantially while also pushing more light out of those LEDs. ("Watt's Law" is Amps = Watts/Volts, so higher the volts, lower the amps). This introduces a little more complexity to your wiring but maximizes the efficiency of your lights while using thinner wiring.

Thanks Figmo!

I forgot to add the more complete answer from them: "Our LED lights typically operate within a voltage range of 12-24V, and the total wattage is generally under 240W "

And as for your note about relays and step-up transformers, I'm pretty ignorant about that. Alhtough, I'll research and learn about it since it will come in handy in the future.

 

[Figmo]

So, using Watt's Law (Amps=Watts/Volts), you'd be looking at 20 Amps @ 12v (or 10 Amps @ 24v).

Remember to size your wiring to the amperage you're drawing. For 20 Amps you should be using right around a 12 ga wire. Too thin, and you risk overheating the wire from too much current pushing through it (which can lead to electrical fires)

While a relay is not required for this circuit, you should certainly read up on using them. Because, eventually, you'll need them (for higher amperage stuff like air compressors). There are several good threads on the forum regarding how to use them. Here's one on compressors: https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-compressor-aux-switch-wiring-question.61285/

 

[MrBones]

You'd need to know the wattage to calculate how many amps you'll actually be pulling. But almost certainly you could power all of them off 40 amps. LEDs are pretty efficient. You can contact the manufacturer and ask them the wattage of each of those lights if you want to calculate it exactly.

If in doubt, you can always use a relay. Note that using a relay also allows you to use a lower amperage aux switch (as you are now ONLY powering the relay through the switch, not the lights) thus saving the higher amp circuits for some future mod that might require them.

Side note: Another thing to consider is to take advantage of the "12v-24v" range those lights support. You could get a step up transformer to convert your 12v to 24v. This will have the benefit of lowering the amperage substantially while also pushing more light out of those LEDs. ("Watt's Law" is Amps = Watts/Volts, so higher the volts, lower the amps). This introduces a little more complexity to your wiring but maximizes the efficiency of your lights while using thinner wiring.

You can’t use a transformer on a DC system. A transformer is an AC device that operates on an alternating current frequency.

 

[Ego_Jeep]

You can’t use a transformer on a DC system. A transformer is an AC device that operates on an alternating current frequency.

I was doing research on relays to see if I can use that and connect all 3 lights to it and then to one of the 40A AUX switches.

 

[Figmo]

You can’t use a transformer on a DC system. A transformer is an AC device that operates on an alternating current frequency.

You are correct. But forum etiquette demands that when you correct somebody's misspeak, you post the actual name of the device.

"converter"?
"booster"?
"thing-a-ma-jig that takes 12v DC in and spits 24v DC out"?

Or you can just search Amazon for "12v to 24v transformer" and go buy it. They are less interested in correcting your English than they are in making the sale....

DC 12V Step Up to 24V Boost Converter 20A 480W DC Voltage Regulator Power Converter Waterproof Module Transformer

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I was doing research on relays to see if I can use that and connect all 3 lights to it and then to one of the 40A AUX switches.

The auxiliary switches ARE relayed. In other words, there is already a relay in the fuse panel area. The aux switch simply turns on that relay. So you can skip adding another relay if you want. You would be adding a relay into a circuit that already is controlled by a relay.

K17 K18. K20 and K21 are for the aux switches. The number of the switch is next to the relay number here - HD accessory -

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