Forum:
Hi all,
As a complete and utter incompetent electrician of any kind, for me looking at the wiring diagram for the spotlights is the same as reading arabic upside down whilst drunk. Its completely beyond me. So im wondering if anyone can provide me with an idiots guide to wiring spotlights. A list of stuff i need, and exactly how to wire it-in laymens terms.
Thank you for your help
Sportycg
easy as pie
first what type of spotlight??
ok think of it in easy terms, a light buld is a short circuit, when electricty passes through it creates light.
you need a positive and an earth,
many spot lights take there earth from connecting to metal bullbars which connect to the metal chassis. these are easy if your spots dont then so simply need a wire to run a main piece of metal on the chassis via the engine bay of anywhere close.
the positive, who do you want your spots to be turned on, if via a switch in the cab simply find an ignition or permenant live ( ignition if you want to have the lights on only when the ignition is on).
joint the wire (special clips are available) and run it to your switch (use diagrams to tell you which spade to connect to. then take your positive off and run it to your light,
simple
Hi thanks for the reply. I
Hi thanks for the reply. I have Ring (make) Halogen 12v 55w H3 spotlights.
There is nothing in the box apart from bulbs and some plstic tubing to go over wire.
It seems to me that running the wire to a switch is easier? In which case i need a switch (will any old switch from halfords do?) some wires (positive and earth) anything else?
What are these special clips called? and also what do you mean by which spades to connect to...spades on the lamp i assume?
Kind Rgds
Sportycg
i had the same
the last ring spotlights i bought had no clamps to attach to the vehicle. i made some up with the welder.
at halfords you need an in line connector, one side goes over the existing wire, the other has a dead end that the new wire fits into, then a metal clip is pushed through to create a circuit,
halfords have loads of switchs (ebay is better). you need the most basic 2 position on and off one
you will need spade connectors (female probaly to connect to the buld and possiblie to earth,
as for wire i usually use any electrical wire i have as halfords charge a fortune, so if you have and old electrical appliance getting thrown out then simply strip the wire
Wired
Wiring spotlights is relatively easy, you need a relay of suitable capacity, wiring of suitable capacity, suitable fuses and the knowledge that spotlights can only be legally operative when full beam is on, when the vehicle is used on the road.
Send me a private message, with an e-mail address and i will send you full instructions on how to wire lights safely and legally.
Wired
Noticed a suggestion of using scotchlock connectors, forget these; where they crimp over the wire and make a circuit leaves the copper exposed, this degrades and the wiring eventually breaks down causing more problems. Use only goog quality connectors, or buy multiplugs, you can buy the internal connectors for these seperately, should one become degraded.
Had three 4X4's in this week with wiring faults, all were fitted with scotchlock connectors, and the winter salt, along with the damp conditions, caused these problems.
WIRED
Agree 100% with all the crimped joints and those terrible square blue blocks for piggy backing, which I always thought were Scotch blocks but are Tap Connectors and tap into the supply or whatever wire, swines these are!! as they allow moisture in to corrode the copper wire and the the internal connector whilst the outside looks perfect. I have spent many hours serching for breaks only to find it to be one of these "buggers". The best connectors, in my experience are the "Japanese Connectors" male and femails with the correct insulators. I always solder mine after crimping but if you do this don't over do the flux as this tends to eat at the copper wireing over quite a short time. Problem is finding them. I doubt whether Halfords have ever heard of them because they aren't "Bling", I get mine from "VEHICLE WIRING PRODUCTS" in Derbyshire. They have an excellent product catalogue which they will send you tel: 0115 9305454 or email eval(unescape('%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%73%61%6c%65%73%40%76%65%68%69%63%6c%65%70%72%6f%64%75%63%74%73%2e%63%6f%2e%75%6b%22%3e%73%61%6c%65%73%40%76%65%68%69%63%6c%65%70%72%6f%64%75%63%74%73%2e%63%6f%2e%75%6b%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b')). They will supply 99% of all car and motor bike wiring products and are fast to dispatch. I recommend their products without reservation and have used them for many years.
OLDMINIMAN
M J Young
isnt this off topic now
yes indeed there are many more ways to wire up the lights however the original poster asked for an easy way involving the least hassle. all my work vehicle which have lights have been wired up using inline conectors and i have had no problems,
if you worry about corrosion on the wire insulating tape is a good idea,
Fired
Helmend, I have seen too many wiring problems over too many years, many have ended up as vehicle fires, without wishing to be critical of you, it is far easier to spend a little more on the correct relay and wiring it all correctly, with fuses.
Oldminiman has had many similar experiences, and no doubt, many more people have, i use vehicle wiring products as they are local to me (two minutes from home) and the little extra expense is worth it in the time saved in trying to diagnose wiring faults. This time repairing vehicles could be more productively used off roading, and not fire fighting.
One neighbour did some wiring on a 4X4 and fitted four lights, he put his vehicle in his garage on the side of his property, while away, his poor unfused wiring had a problem, the upshot was a fire which not only burned down his garage, but caused severe damage to his house as well, there is a lesson for us all.