Installing "Chicken Lights"

[Jrock2394]

Well i was thinking about installing some chicken lights to my ram on the front bumper like in this photo.

This is the set i was looking at Pilot 12 Piece Running Board Light Kit - JCWhitney

I want to have them come on with the parking lights but i have no idea how to tap into the wires. Is there any visual tutorials on how to do this? Also, if anyone has done it before and has any advice that would be great.

 

[WhiteExpress]

Having a '96, you don't have a computer to **** off (Lamp Out or other indicators)
However, adding 12 more lights to the circuit might tax the switch / fuse.

I would tap into the running light wire going into the driver side turn signal on the front.
Then use that to trigger a relay to power the lights.

 

[dodge dude94]

^This.

 

[Jrock2394]

Okay what kind of relay should i get ? Aplogize for being anoob with this wiring, first time doing it other than stereos.

Also, where should i run the ground wire to?

 

[WhiteExpress]

You can get a 30 Amp automotive relay from Autozone or similar store, typically around the fuses.

I always ground my lights to a chassis ground (IE a factory grounding point).
I don't know what the 2G Rams have anymore. Been tooooo long.

 

[dodge dude94]

All my lights are grounded to the fender ground on the driver's side fender, near the battery.

 

[WhiteExpress]

There ya go, a good factory grounding point.

 

[Jrock2394]

Okay thanks for the info guys. Im going to order them il post pics when its done.

 

[LaurenMagnum360]

if you use led lights, you don't have to worry about the relays and such unless you put like 30 of them on or so.

 

[WhiteExpress]

that's true, but the cost of 3 LED lights is the same as the 12 listed above. :-(

 

[Jrock2394]

Okay got the set and the relay. Is there a diagram to show what wires to connect to the back of the relay. There are 5 prongs. Assuming the wire from the lights goes in one prong and the wire to the parking light goes into another prong.

 

[NYCruiser]

Did the relay come with a schematic?

 

[Jrock2394]

It just has a picture on the back of the package with numbers 85, 86, 87, and 30.

 

[WhiteExpress]

No problems.

30 Is your power in. Run a fused link to your battery
85 is your trigger wire - tap into your parking lights
86 is ground - durh
87 (and 87A if it has) are the relay outputs (to chicken lights)

The pins on the relay should be oriented that 87 and 87A (outputs) run a perpendicular to the other three.

If for some reason this doesn't work, switch 85 / 86. Truthfully it shouldn't matter.

 

[NYCruiser]

^^^This

Just for clarity, 87 is the hot (+) to your chicken lights and you will need to ground the other chicken light lead.

 

[Jrock2394]

So just to be sure i whipped this drawing up (better visual learner). Would this be the correct way to do this.

Also, there is no ground for the chicken lights. There is only one wire coming out of the lense then that gets spliced into the lead wire.

btw, thanks for hanging in there guys I appreciate it

 

[Jrock2394]

Just mounted them up and was only able to get 5. Would i still need the relay for 5 lights?

 

[WhiteExpress]

Just mounted them up and was only able to get 5. Would i still need the relay for 5 lights?

I would run one. Yes.

 

[NYCruiser]

So just to be sure i whipped this drawing up (better visual learner). Would this be the correct way to do this.

Also, there is no ground for the chicken lights. There is only one wire coming out of the lense then that gets spliced into the lead wire.

btw, thanks for hanging in there guys I appreciate it

I think 85 & 86 are backwards in your drawing. Depending on the particular relay, it may not matter. Just be aware in case it doesn't work as expected.

 

[Jrock2394]

Going to have to hold this project off until tomorrow. Going to have to stop at AA to get some fuses.

I found the right wire to tap into but it is almost right on the wire harness for the parking light. I could tap into there but i would like to have a little more room. Is there any other location i could get to the parking light wire?

Also found out im going to have to run a ground wire to each wire. They are suppose to ground themselves but being that they are being mounted to plastic thats not going to happen.