I just got my chrome brushguard on, now I have to install the lights. They are Hella circluar lights.
What guage of wire would you use?
My plan is to connect positive to battery and ground negative with a fuse on the positive.
But I saw a writeup on doing lights, but where can I find a knob light that you pull to turn on the lights or highbeams which come with female butt connectors?

Do it right and install the lights on a relay.

Originally posted by Buddha's Ghost
Do it right and install the lights on a relay.

I don't know electronics very well, someone care to explain to me what a relay looks like, how to wire one up?

Depends on the wattage, but I'd say use an SPDT relay to keep your high-current wire runs as short as possible. If you run 14 gauge that should be fine for 99% of all light installations. Run 16 or 18 gauge to your switch.

The connections:

Run 12V+ from your ignition harness to the switch. This can be ACC or IGN or whatever you want. I like ACC because it shuts the lights off when the key is removed. That way I can't forget and drain the battery.

Run a wire from the other side of the switch to post #85 on the relay. Run post #86 to ground. Run a 14 gauge wire (fused) from the battery + terminal to post #30. Run another 14ga wire from post #87 to your lights, wired in parallel. Ground the lights with 14ga.

Mount the relay in a spot that allows for the shortest possible wire run (for the 14ga) and keeps the relay away from heat and possible water damage. Mount it with the posts down so that water drains down the wiring and away from the relay.


I don't know about the knob. Try a race shop. They sell custom switch sets for racing apps, might work for you.


Hef


edit: most relays are rated at 30A, which should be plenty for you. If that isn't then run 2 relays, 1 to each light. Fuse them appropriately.

Remember: Volts X Amps = Watts
Watts/Amps = Volts
Watts/Volts = Amps

If you do your figuring based on 14.4VDC (rather than 12VDC), then your wiring will be up to snuff. I like to do my figuring then jump to the next larger size wire for less resistance and max performance.

The American Wire Gauge Standards Chart will help you determine the correct gauge wire for most applications.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/uploads/relaywire.jpg


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That diagram is perfect OS. ;)


Hef

thanks for the diagram

Thanks for the heads up Old Scout;)