I installed my windshield mounts like quite a few others, using the empty fuse which would be for heated seats, I think it's 8 or 9 in the block?
anyway, I was popping fuses like mad, till finally I started it up after a wash the other day, and realize heavy smoke is pouring into the front...
the line from the fuse block all the way to the switch is cooked.
Anyone else have a better poition or line to tap that doesnt involve using the stock lighting lines?
I want to be able to use them whenever I want but I also want them to turn off when I turn the jeep off.

Steve

 

Are you using a relay?

 

Something really sounds wrong.

Please describe in more detail how you hooked these in?

The absolute easiest (and in my opinion, BEST) way to wire in lights is to NOT use the factory wiring except where necesary.

I used the factory wiring only in so far as to trigger my relays that run the aftermarket stuff, it does NOT power the lights themselves.


If you use the relay that was included in the kit to route the power to the lights from the battery, you can run the trigger wire for the relay to any ignition hot circuit. Then all it is doing is drawing just enough amperage to trip the relay, NOT illuminate the lights. When you shut off the key, the lights go out. All of mine are hooked up that way and i have had no problems at all, going on two years.

 

He says the line from the fuse box to the switch so I'm going to assume he's not.

 

Sorry to hear about the melt down.

I used the cigarete lighter to switch a relay to a power strip. So I have a power strip that I run my switches from that are ignition controlled. No ignition power, switches are off. Turn the key, and switches work to switch more relays to power other stuff.

 

I am using a relay, and set it up exactly the way the directions wanted it, aside from tapping into the high/low beam line. the line that I'm talking about is the switchable source, I still have no idea how or why the line fried, there was a whole thread on guys using the same fuse position that I had it hooked into.

I would use the lighter but I already have 2 amps hooked to it and would rather not cram anymore wires in there.

The lights have been working fine for a couple months, that's why I dont get that all of a sudden the line lights on fire.... weird.

the bulbs still look good but I guess I wont really know until I get new wiring hooked up.

I already picked up another wiring kit, just need to be sure it's not gonna do the same thing all over again.

 

and I do have the main power line hooked directly to the battery terminal.

 

shorted relay?

 

that was my first guess, I will test it once I get the new kit in... second guess is something came loose, but after checking everything it's all tight.

 

Did you run your wires up through the sides of the center cowl? I had one of the connections loosen up a little there and had some bare wire touching that panel. Fortunately I caught it before I turned it on and got un-lazy real fast with the shrink wrap.