Light Bar Question

[RobHinton]

I really like all different ways I see you all have mounted your light bars and I am convinced that I need one and not just want one.

Ive read many many posts, but I still have a few questions:


Is it possible to wire the light bar in with the High Beams?


Same question regarding the smaller LEDs for the back ... is it possible to wire them in with the typical reverse lights?

Also, Ive seen a few postings where the curved light bars were bought off of ebay or amazon ... will someone who has purchased one of these list a brand or seller please? I'd like a good review vs just buying blind.

 

[Skrap]

Great question and looking for these same answers.

 

[Eww707]

Ive been wondering the same thing. When i looked for a hi trigger i went straight to the harness but even the high beam wire (white with green stripe) had a constant 5 volts then 12 when triggered... It didnt make sense to me. So i even went to the bulb plug in itself and same thing to find the same thing ( too make sure it was the right wire ). So just in the meantime I only have my lightbar hooked on a toggle beside my right hand so i can turn it and highs off at the same time.. It works alright.

 

[Johnn123]

I really like all different ways I see you all have mounted your light bars and I am convinced that I need one and not just want one.

Ive read many many posts, but I still have a few questions:


Is it possible to wire the light bar in with the High Beams?


Same question regarding the smaller LEDs for the back ... is it possible to wire them in with the typical reverse lights?

Also, Ive seen a few postings where the curved light bars were bought off of ebay or amazon ... will someone who has purchased one of these list a brand or seller please? I'd like a good review vs just buying blind.

Mine is wired separately from my high beams, so no answer whether they can be or not. I don't see why not. I saw no point wiring them to my high beam as the light bar is an offroad light.

I bought my bar from Amazon seller XtremeWork, it's a Cree. No issues, stupid bright, does as advertised. Happy with my purchase.

 

[RobHinton]

Thanks for the seller recommendation Johnn.

I live sorta out in the country and work the nightshift. Usually no other traffic and of course no other lighting so it is dark dark. It would be nice for it to come on and off with my high beams.

Im not very familiar w wiring and the principles etc. Im sure someone that knows for sure yes or no will chime in soon.

 

[Eww707]

If you want, using two relays you can use an 3 position toggle switch (on off on). One relay is used on the high beam trigger so when the toggle is in one of the on position the lights bar will come on with high beams. The other relay is used for a manual on. I had it wired like this on my 2007 GMC. It worked fantastic

 

[brandonjansen]

If you want, using two relays you can use an 3 position toggle switch (on off on). One relay is used on the high beam trigger so when the toggle is in one of the on position the lights bar will come on with high beams. The other relay is used for a manual on. I had it wired like this on my 2007 GMC. It worked fantastic

You won't need 2 relays to do this... you can just use 1 relay with multiple power sources that will trip it. But that's exactly how I'd do it if I had to do it over again. I may go back and rewire my lights/switches like that.

OP, you don't want the LED pods on the back wired directly to your reverse lights that you don't have the option to shut off. If you're in crowded parking lots or anywhere that other people are around you'll be blinding them. If I were you I'd have both switches as on/off/on, the top on being with hi-beams/reverse lights, off, then the bottom on to a constant power source so you can turn either the light bar or reverse pods on whenever you please (say you're parked unloading cargo and need light or something).

You won't have any issues with the eBay/Amazon bars. I talked to a few guys before buying mine about the difference between them and Rigid. One of the main guys who has a show truck down in Texas stated that if you took the logos off the Rigid bar you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the two. I have an Omotor 30" curved bar off eBay on the front of my truck and 2 3" LED pods off ebay on the back with no issues at all. Both are good quality in my opinion.

 

[JinxCanada]

the LED lightbars on ebay are the exact same...probably made in the same factory. Don't be a fool and pay big bucks...it's just stupid

 

[RobHinton]

As always you guys come through with some great info.

Good point about the reverse lights. The High Beams+Light Bar wouldnt be a concern though since only being used when no one is around.

Question...by using the 1 relay with multiple power sources, would I need to worry about the bulb out warnings, etc that I have read about in a lot of the posts?

brandonjansen ... I was looking at the 30" myself ... you like that length vs longer or shorter?

 

[JinxCanada]

I still REALLY want a 50" lightbar on my roof...but I'll be damned if I'm going to spend $160.00 USD on brackets to mount a $185.00 lightbar. Anyone have any more reasonable options to mount one???

 

[DiabeticKripple]

i have mine wired to my highbeams.

its wired so when i pull the stick back, it doesnt come on, but when i push it forward it does

 

[RobHinton]

Diabetic ... can you share some insight on how you did it? I would appreciate it and Im sure a bunch others would too.

 

[DiabeticKripple]

Diabetic ... can you share some insight on how you did it? I would appreciate it and Im sure a bunch others would too.

I had a shop do it for $100. When it comes to electrical, I can fix problems and such, I just have never tapped anything.

I know that the projector cutoff on the trucks that came with them only moves when the stick is pushed forward so maybe there is a wire there at only gets power when that happens. I'll look at a wiring diagram and see.

I looked at a diagram and I think it is the red and orange wire coming out of the plug into the headlights. Might want to take a multimeter and see when it gets power.

 

[xrsman]

Mine light bar is wired up on a SPDT switch (on-off-on). When the toggle is switch one way it only comes on with the high beams. When it's flipped the other way it can come on even if the truck is off. I also have the option of having it off completely by leaving the toggle in the off position.

Works very slick!

 

[RobHinton]

Thx Diabetic and XRS ... huge help.

If I started wiring stuff myself I'd likely have a burned down truck and some questions from the fire marshall.

 

[brandonjansen]

As always you guys come through with some great info.

Good point about the reverse lights. The High Beams+Light Bar wouldnt be a concern though since only being used when no one is around.

Question...by using the 1 relay with multiple power sources, would I need to worry about the bulb out warnings, etc that I have read about in a lot of the posts?

brandonjansen ... I was looking at the 30" myself ... you like that length vs longer or shorter?

You shouldn't have any issues with bulb out warnings seeing as all bulbs will still be installed and there will actually be more slightly resistance in the circuit with the relay installed.

I went with a 30" on mine because it wanted to install it flush in my bumper in between the tow hooks (I have a 3500). If I didn't care about losing the tow hooks I would have gone with a 40" curved bar for sure.

Mine light bar is wired up on a SPDT switch (on-off-on). When the toggle is switch one way it only comes on with the high beams. When it's flipped the other way it can come on even if the truck is off. I also have the option of having it off completely by leaving the toggle in the off position.

Works very slick!

That's the perfect way to do it!

 

[xrsman]

That's the perfect way to do it!

Yeah I had the KC lights on my last truck wired to their own switch and sometimes I'd forget they were on lol. This was I can't forget, plus the high beams are automatic so they shut down on their own! When I'm on cruise control all I need to do is steer and change the music! Haha

 

[Inside Man]

You shouldn't have any issues with bulb out warnings seeing as all bulbs will still be installed and there will actually be more slightly resistance in the circuit with the relay installed.

I went with a 30" on mine because it wanted to install it flush in my bumper in between the tow hooks (I have a 3500). If I didn't care about losing the tow hooks I would have gone with a 40" curved bar for sure.






That's the perfect way to do it!

So just to be clear......... this is a 30" curved? Where did you get that from? What brand?

 

[brandonjansen]

So just to be clear......... this is a 30" curved? Where did you get that from? What brand?

Yes sir. It's an Omotor bar, got it off eBay - 30INCH 180W Curved CREE LED Work Light Bar Flood Spot Combo Offroad SUV Ute ATV | eBay

 

[Inside Man]

Yes sir. It's an Omotor bar, got it off eBay - 30INCH 180W Curved CREE LED Work Light Bar Flood Spot Combo Offroad SUV Ute ATV | eBay

Roger that. As soon as the lift is on this will probably be my next mod. Thanks for the info.