I am an electrical idiot so I need some help here. I've read threads about using relays, switches, and what not but I am totally confused.

I have a set of rear off road lights that I want to wire up. I only want them to work off of a switch; I DO NOT want them to turn on when I put the Jeep in reverse.

I ordered my switches from OTRATTW.

h tt p://www.otrattw.com/products.php?cat=19
Here is how I THINK it should be wired. Please tell me if I am wrong or correct.

Also, what do I need fuses where I think I need them? What size fuses do I use? What size wire? Geez I am dumb! Basically I need an dummy picture for this!

 

A lot of your fuse and wire size answers depend off what your lights are. Figure out your votage and amps. Get too much resistance and it'll get those wires too hot. Usually even small wires can get big lights going for a small period of time with no issues, but best not to risk it. So, figure that out. Then make sure your fuse, assuming it's inliine, is the proper size. Also, remember you do not have to ground your lights to the battery, any grounding point will do, and usually easier to keep less wires off the battery; just looks cleaner IMO. Also, remember to factor in how many lights. Don't want to run a lot of lights off one source and make them weak. I will tell you I would imagine 10 gauge will do fine with your set up since it's usually good for around 55 amps, or 33 assuming you bandle them together in one wrap or loom factoring heat dissipation. 25 amp fuse should do the trick in most cases. Hope this is what you were looking for.

 

Awesome! Thank you. They are 55w lights. I plan on only running these set off of a single relay. And then I will add additional lights off of additional relays.

But does my diagram look correct?!?

 

If I understand it correctly, your diagram does look right.

 

Sorry. When I saw the title of this thread I thought I was being paged.

 

BTW: You're not dumb. If you were dumb, you'd throw it together without asking for help or finding information. There was a point in time where I was unsure how electronics work, but now I work with them for a living. Anyone can understand it if they put their mind to it. You're doing the right thing: doing it yourself and wanting to learn.

 

Thanks. I get the use of a relay. I guess my uncertainty was with what size wire and fuses to use. Plus, also am I wiring up the switch correctly.

 

One of your fuses is in the wrong location. Hear is a drawing that I had previously made that shows the correct fuse locations.

Your switch drawing looks to be correct. Just simply incorporate your switch drawing into this drawing. Now, here are some hard figures for your review:
55w * 2 = 110w
110w / 12v = 9.1A

Primary fuse = 10A
Primary wire from battery to relay = #12awg.
Lighting wire from relay to lamp = #16 ( this quote is for individual conductors to each lamp )

Secondary fuse for switch power = 3A
Secondary wire size = #16awg

 

Ok. Let's try this!

 

Much better. 7 & 8 on the switch does not have to be #12. They can be #16 also. Remember, even thou I only show one line from the relay to the lights, that needs to be a seperate line from each light back to the relay. You could stay with one line if you want. but then you will need to change the wire size to #12. I prefer seperate #16. It is easier to work with. And if you want to get realy tecky, make them both the same length.