Getting ready to order some supplies for my first wiring job (lights). what is the typical wire guage used with off-road lights such as PIAA or KC's.

Also what size shrink tubing will I need?

All help is appreciated.

Cheers

 

#14 awg is used from the relay to the switchif you make a seperate run for each light. May need a larger wire from the battery to the relay depending on what size lamp you purchase.

 

55w lights pull about 4 amps, 100w pull about 8 amps.

For 55w X 2 lights, I use 14ga to each light and 12ga from the battery to the relay.

For 100w X 2 , I'd use 12ga and 10ga

For 55W X 4, I'd use 14ga and 10ga

You should only have to use heat shrink at the lights, and 3/16" will work for that.

 

Thaks for the responses so far however I am not really looking to buy the wire for the lights, I am planning on using the wire that comes with the wireing harness in the kits. I am asking about the wire guage to find out what size terminals and butt connectors that I would need to get.

I will be connecting the lights straight to a product that will not be mentioned, "banned" on this site, so the relays and the fuses in the kit will not be used, just going from the light to the "not mentioned".

Also what would be the best way to bring both+ and ground into the same terminal?

Cheers

 

Not sure what you mean here.

 

I would use no less than a 12ga wire threw out the system I've used that on KC housings with airplane landing light bulb before with no problems 12 ga you will need the yellow butt splices and terminals be sure to get the proper sized toggle switch as well I prefer a 50 amp switch. ( too small a switch will get hot and melt) also be sure to get a fuse link too install after the battery I'd play with fuse size till I got one that wouldn't blow during long runs with the lights 15-25amp

 

Originally Posted by Anglico1
Also what would be the best way to bring both+ and ground into the same terminal?

Cheers
Not sure what you mean here.

If you are installing 2 lights you will have 2 positve leads and 2 negative leads. How would you bring each one into a single connection terminal?

 

Just strip the insulation on the two light wires and twist them together and stick them into one end of the butt splice then just put the other battery wire in the other end put you a piece of heat shrink over the splice to seal it off

 

Thanks that answers one question.

 

Shrink wrap depends on wire gauge used. Also depends on if you will use butt splice crimp ons or if you will solder the connections.

Here is a handy chart to help you select proper wire gauge based on amps and length of wire needed to reach the device.

AMPS = WATTS divided by VOLTS

For example 55 watt light divided by 12 volts = 4.58 Amps