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Auxiliary light panel
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=59319		 Page 1 of 3
Author:  NewOldTimer [ Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Auxiliary light panel
A little something I put together for the overhead lights, etc. for my Liberty.
Borrowed the idea from "Boiler", but kept it simple.

Will handle four (4) pairs of lights, up to 130 watts per pair.
Each pair of lights has it's own relay & fuse, and the entire panel
is supplied by a single 6 gauge wire from the battery, which is also fused.

Fits like a factory install, and looks like a factory install, if I do say so myself.

Image

Image

Image
Author:  sota [ Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Auxiliary light panel
if there were a :drool: and :moist: smilies they'd be here.

I approve.

how about some daylight shots of the actual lights too?
Author:  NewOldTimer [ Sun Mar 06, 2011 8:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Auxiliary light panel
sota wrote:
if there were a :drool: and :moist: smilies they'd be here.

I approve.

how about some daylight shots of the actual lights too?


Pics of the lights will have to wait for a couple of months.......
as they won't be mounted til the end of May when my roof rack is installed.
Author:  infernicus [ Sun Mar 06, 2011 11:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Auxiliary light panel
Sweeet setup man. I'm looking to do something like that. I'm waiting for the warmer weather to come back.

Can you explain a little what everything is, for us n00bs, thanks, lol.
(I can tell the panel to the left is the power/fuse panel (that's the same one I have).
I think everything to the right are the grounds.)
Thanks again.
8)
Author:  NewOldTimer [ Mon Mar 07, 2011 1:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Auxiliary light panel
infernicus wrote:
Sweeet setup man. I'm looking to do something like that. I'm waiting for the warmer weather to come back.

Can you explain a little what everything is, for us n00bs, thanks, lol.
(I can tell the panel to the left is the power/fuse panel (that's the same one I have).
I think everything to the right are the grounds.)
Thanks again.
8)


I tagged the photo for ease of explanation.

I'm going to move the red wire that's currently on the Input to one of the empty fuse ports, and add a 10 amp fuse.
This line is the power for the switch panel, and I wanted to fuse the line, but got ahead of myself.
The next time you see this, there will be a 6 gauge wire attached to the post.

The 12 volt terminal block is set up to supply each pair of lights individually thru a relay. This also provided quick disconnect
should I decide to change or replace lights later.

The ground block is home for all the ground wires from the lights. I know, seems silly to run them all the way to the cab,
but it makes for easy maintenance.

The Ground Buss is the hook up for the primary ground; i.e. a 6 gauge green wire that will run to the best chassis ground
I can find within 6 feet of the panel.

Not a difficult set up. The hardest part was finding someplace to bend the 16 gauge steel I used to mount everything to.

Image
Author:  Jeepin_it_real [ Mon Mar 07, 2011 2:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Auxiliary light panel
this is honestly beautiful... and this is absolutely my next mod... i have SO many electrical components that i have a nest of wires under my dash
Author:  sota [ Mon Mar 07, 2011 9:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Auxiliary light panel
I'm interested in where you got some of the components, like that fuse block.
Author:  NewOldTimer [ Mon Mar 07, 2011 12:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Auxiliary light panel
sota wrote:
I'm interested in where you got some of the components, like that fuse block.


Fuse block was from either Advanced Auto Parts or NAPA, don't recall which.
(I was at both allot getting parts) :rockon:
It's a six (6) circuit block. NAPA has a ten (10) circuit if you need more room for more stuff. :JEEPIN:

The terminal block are from Advanced Auto parts, but can also be found at RadioShack. 8)

The Ground buss and other select items are left overs from when I worked in
aerospace in the 90's. :rockon: :rockon:
Author:  NewOldTimer [ Mon Mar 07, 2011 8:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Auxiliary light panel
And here it is ...... done!!!!! :BANANA: :pepper: :BANANA: :pepper: :BANANA: :pepper:

Apologies for the poor quality of photos, it was getting dark, & my camera doesn't do well in low light.

Illuminated switches........ Check!! :jester:
Image

6 gauge power & ground routed to the battery....... Check!! :jester:
Image

Wiring 100% complete......... Check!! :rockon: :rockon: :JEEPIN: :JEEPIN:
Image

I decided to take the ground directly to the battery also..... it was just easier than trying to wrestle with a ground stud
when the battery was only another foot away.

All in all, I'm pleased with the results.

Now the lo-o-o-o-o-ng wait til the end of May when I can pick up my roof rack from "Boiler"...... :5SHOTS: :5SHOTS:
Author:  Zack A [ Tue Mar 08, 2011 6:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Auxiliary light panel
if you don't mind me asking how much money do you have tied up in this. it looks great!
Author:  infernicus [ Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Auxiliary light panel
Looks goood!
I have some more questions, lol.. I was reading online and couldn't find any specific answers, so I'm asking the source, lol.
(excuse my all over thinking, I'm trying to word it as best as possible.

-Is is necessary to have a fuse in between the battery and 12v hook up to the aux fuse panel? (I have one right now, but I don't have my heavy gauge wire yet.)

-If the fused power for the accessories come from the aux fuse panel, what is the purpose of the 12v terminal (junction) block? I think it is to keep the relay energized.

-And lastly, I think, It appears this is how you have the relays hooked up;
  • 30 to fused power (red wire)
  • 85 to ground bus (black wire)
  • 87 to 12v terminal block (red wire)
  • 86 to switches? (green wire)


THANKS!! 8)
Author:  NewOldTimer [ Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Auxiliary light panel
infernicus wrote:
Looks goood!
I have some more questions, lol.. I was reading online and couldn't find any specific answers, so I'm asking the source, lol.
(excuse my all over thinking, I'm trying to word it as best as possible.

-Is is necessary to have a fuse in between the battery and 12v hook up to the aux fuse panel? (I have one right now, but I don't have my heavy gauge wire yet.)


Necessary? Definitely! Should something catastrophic happen to the 6 gauge wire, the fuse will blow instead of
smoke billowing from under the dash. :dead:

Quote:
-If the fused power for the accessories come from the aux fuse panel, what is the purpose of the 12v terminal (junction) block? I think it is to keep the relay energized.


The purpose of the 12 volt terminal is for a common point to bring the 12 volt wires from the lights.
The "cross bars" aren't linked, so each relay is hooked to one side of the block, & the light will be hooked to the other.

Quote:
-And lastly, I think, It appears this is how you have the relays hooked up;
  • 30 to fused power (red wire)
  • 85 to ground bus (black wire)
  • 87 to 12v terminal block (red wire)
  • 86 to switches? (green wire)



You are correct sir!! :pepper: :BANANA: :pepper:
Author:  infernicus [ Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Auxiliary light panel
NewOldTimer wrote:
You are correct sir!!

Awesome, I know more than I thought, lol.
I cant wait for the weather to get warm, and the money to fall into the pocket (just to pull it out again).

Thanks again!
Author:  NewOldTimer [ Tue Mar 08, 2011 11:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Auxiliary light panel
Zack A wrote:
if you don't mind me asking how much money do you have tied up in this. it looks great!


Oddly enough, the switches were one of the pricier items at $8.50 each.
Relays run about $7.00 each
Fuse block was about $14.00
The steel plate was $12.00, and I got a local shop to cut & bend it for $20.
6 gauge wire is $1.00 per foot at Home Depot (6 ft of red & 6 ft of green)
I had the 14 gauge wire, terminal blocks, and crimp lugs.
(If I had to purchase them, all would be less than $20.00)
Heavy copper ends for 6 gauge wire, $8.00 for 6.

So, yeah....... probably close to $100 for the works, plus the fabrication time.
It's overkill for sure, as it's designed to handle allot more current and power than will ever be applied.
But it's functional, safe, and looks cool as hell!!! :pepper: :BANANA: :pepper: :BANANA:

And the best part...... I only have to do it once!!! :rockon: :rockon: :rockon: :rockon: :rockon:
There is room for expansion if my needs ever increase, maintenance and repair is a snap,
it can handle twice the current it will ever see, and it looks cool as hell!! (Have I mentioned that ?!?!?!) :ROTFL: :ROTFL: :ROTFL:

Someone has already asked me to build one for them, and a second is possible in the near future.
Looks like I could be busy this summer. :JEEPIN: :JEEPIN: :JEEPIN:
Author:  DragonKJ07 [ Fri Apr 01, 2011 1:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Auxiliary light panel
NewOldTimer I was just drooling at your work. I was wondering if you could possably draw up a wiring diagram. I have a basic to intermediate knowledge of car electronics and would love to put your mod into my 07 limited. I would appreciate any help you could lend to a first time jeeper. :JEEPIN:
Author:  W9JAB [ Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Auxiliary light panel
Very nice job! :2cents:
Author:  NewOldTimer [ Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Auxiliary light panel
DragonKJ07 wrote:
NewOldTimer I was just drooling at your work. I was wondering if you could possably draw up a wiring diagram. I have a basic to intermediate knowledge of car electronics and would love to put your mod into my 07 limited. I would appreciate any help you could lend to a first time jeeper. :JEEPIN:


I've been considering doing a write up for the whole panel, complete with final
measurements for the steel panel, etc.

I've got all the dimensions, and a complete wiring diagram, so we'll see what develops.
Author:  NewOldTimer [ Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Auxiliary light panel
DragonKJ07 wrote:
NewOldTimer I was just drooling at your work. I was wondering if you could possibly draw up a wiring diagram. I have a basic to intermediate knowledge of car electronics and would love to put your mod into my 07 limited. I would appreciate any help you could lend to a first time jeeper. :JEEPIN:


Ask, and you shall receive.

It's a simple block diagram / schematic, but it gets the job done.
I've included the bracket dimension & bend diagram as well, just in case.

Image

Image

Happy wiring!!
Author:  DragonKJ07 [ Fri Apr 01, 2011 9:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Auxiliary light panel
bravo to you.My hat is off to you. very profesional job and looking forward to instaling on my 07. Thanks again for all your hard work helping out a first time jeep owner with BIG plans. Best of luck to you, and keep it on at least 2 wheels ^^
Author:  Kugellager [ Thu May 19, 2011 10:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Auxiliary light panel
Very nice and clean installation Brad.

Best one I have ever seen! Much neater that the monster under my dash.

John
];')
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