Question About Wiring Aux Switch Accessories & Grounding

[BATomov]

Why do some accessories that are supposed to be wired into the factory aux switches come with a wire that connects to the aux switch and another wire that goes into the fuse box, while others come with a ground wire and a wire that connects to the aux switch?

For example, most setups I see online include a ground, but the harness that came with my Diode Dynamics Elite Max headlights connects to the fuse box and the aux wire instead. Is this safe? Do I still need to figure out a separate ground, or is this setup normal?

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[KevinM60]

Without looking at the wires you might want to double check with the manufacturer on that.
My third party light addons (Auxbeam) came with wires for straight to the battery with it’s own switch system. I cut all that off leaving the wires to connect to my factory aux switches that were already fused.

 

[sharpsicle]

Each application is going to be different. Some may use a relay, others may not. In addition, some that don't include a relay may need one anyway. The wires provided don't always mean you can install it a certain way. You need to know what you're doing to know what you're looking at and make the right choice. There's no one answer to your question.

Headlights, for instance, already have a ground through the factory harness, so you don't need to add another one for the auxiliary light modes. Just a +12v trigger. That trigger needs to be able to support the right amperage. The installation instructions for the headlights should walk you through this.

 

[heretic]

So the 4 aux wires, are they to be used as only triggers to a relay for your device. Or are they rated to handle large or high amps. Are the 4 wires fused?

 

[KevinM60]

Page 74 of your owner’s manual has a pretty good description of the switches.
They can be set for latching or momentary power output and have built in relays and fuses.
Aux 1 and 2 are fused to 40 amps, 3 and 4 are 15 amps.

 

[heretic]

Thank you

 

[WILDHOBO]

Each application is going to be different. Some may use a relay, others may not. In addition, some that don't include a relay may need one anyway. The wires provided don't always mean you can install it a certain way. You need to know what you're doing to know what you're looking at and make the right choice. There's no one answer to your question.

Headlights, for instance, already have a ground through the factory harness, so you don't need to add another one for the auxiliary light modes. Just a +12v trigger. That trigger needs to be able to support the right amperage. The installation instructions for the headlights should walk you through this.

This is exactly right. When I help people with hooking up electrical accessories, I ALWAYS talk through it verbally first. First decide what you want to accomplish, then decide how to wire it properly and safely. Not all devices are created equal. I also often do not use the vendor’s harness. I find that they over complicate things and add more connections than are necessary.

 

[KevinM60]

Thank you

You're welcome

This is exactly right. When I help people with hooking up electrical accessories, I ALWAYS talk through it verbally first. First decide what you want to accomplish, then decide how to wire it properly and safely. Not all devices are created equal. I also often do not use the vendor’s harness. I find that they over complicate things and add more connections than are necessary.

Same here for when I want to install something. What I have and what I want to do with it. My Auxbeams came with harnesses and their own switch but I don't want a bunch of switches installed all over my dash so I cut off the switch and relays and wired them to my factory aux switches. When I filled those up I installed a Voswitch on the grab handle and wired the lights to that.

 

[WILDHOBO]

You're welcome


Same here for when I want to install something. What I have and what I want to do with it. My Auxbeams came with harnesses and their own switch but I don't want a bunch of switches installed all over my dash so I cut off the switch and relays and wired them to my factory aux switches. When I filled those up I installed a Voswitch on the grab handle and wired the lights to that.

EXACTLY the route I took. After adding the VS JL400, I have 1 aux switch and one voswitch free.

 

[KevinM60]

EXACTLY the route I took. After adding the VS JL400, I have 1 aux switch and one voswitch free.

And some leftover harnesses in the pile waiting to be repurposed for something.

 

[WILDHOBO]

And some leftover harnesses in the pile waiting to be repurposed for something.

I don’t care if mine looks stock on the outside, but on the interior I like it super clean and stock looking. I refuse to drill a hole in the dash.

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