Hey guys, Im horrible with electrical stuff, so need some help.

Right now, I have 2 off road lights, Im gonna put on the ARB probably tonight since its like 60 degrees here! Anyways, I plan on upgrading, my future plans will be 4 lights on the Arb and 3-4 lights on the rack.

SOOOOO my question is, with running 8 lights, Ill need to upgrade SOMETHING.

Will I be okay with just getting a Yellow Optima battery or will I need to upgrade my alt and battery????

I wont be using daily, just whenever I do offroading or when I have a call for the Fire Dept (when they are needed) What do you guys think?

Cheapest/Safest way.....





Also, as far as light switches, I found this on ebay, maybe this will be alittle easier to hook it all up? What do u guys think?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SHO-ME-LIGHT-BAR-4-SWITCH-BOX-EMERGENCY-VEHICLE-TRUCK_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1240Q7c66Q3 a1Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293 Q3a1Q7c294Q3a25QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZit em350143872966QQitemZ350143872966QQptZOtherQ5fVehi cleQ5fParts

:bubblegum-big:

that switch/wiring box is nice, but its $50...not worth it IMHO since most lighting kits already come with wiring...

8 lights...hmmm....it all depends on what load they are putting on your electrical system, if you are going to be potentially running ALL 8 at the SAME time, the condition of your current alternator/battery..

i have 4 100W flood on my roof....thats 400W / 12V = ~34 Amps constant draw...i can run all 4, my headlights, and still crank my subs up and be sitting higher than 12V, and thats on the stock alternator(what, like 80A?).....my advice:

get a $20 or so aftermarket voltage gauge, wire it in(very simple to do) and measure your voltage at normal operation, then start adding lights...at idle with no electrical loads(just engine/ignition and stereo at a normal volume), i sit at just over 14V, and when i start turning lights on and cranking the subs, i can watch my voltage needle drop...lowest i can get it down to is about 12.5V

i would take the x to a local autozone or something, have them test out the battery to make sure it can accept a charge(usually a test is free), and make sure your alternator is is good working condition, maybe clean it out and spray it with silicone spray to make it repel water a bit easier and last longer...

so, in a nutshell, you can probably run 8 lights on your current system, as long as your stock electrical system is up to par

That box looks awful clunky to me to try to fit in the X, plus it's way more expensive than you need.
If you'll be running lights for extended periods as in a rescue op, you should follow Baf6's advice and get a good voltage gauge to monitor the condition of your charging system.
The wiring diagrams that have been posted here before are all you really need, just keep it to 2 lights per relay then decide how many switches you need to turn on some or all of the lights. ie do you want to turn them all on with 1 switch or do you want the lights to come on 2 at a time.

Cool thanks guys

Fzzt: I would probably want them to be on two at a time.

A red top optima battery wouldnt hurt but that switch panel is bulky and would be hard to hide. I prefer things to be hidden but thats just me. If your really worried about it you could install a 2nd battery just be sure to hook it up right if u do it backwards it goes to a 24volt system.

I thought about getting another battery installed.. Be pretty cool I think, just confusing on that.

Im not sure where u would put another battery under the hood i dont think their would be enough room but maybe in back by the hatch or if u have moved the spare tire you could mount a box down there. The last time i did it was on a73 chevy truck so it had plenty of room but that was so long ago i forgot how you wire it up.

i agree that the box you linked to is overkill and it is to bulky... i have 4 lights ran to a single switch and i haven't had any problems.... also for the voltage meter just add a little more and get a scanguageII cause it will do more than show the volts..... LOL

Agreed with Jason.
Have the scanguage II and I LOVE it....I always check the volts every 5 min now along with mpgs.

i have been looking online and i have found a bunch of diffrent switch panel's that you could use that are cheaper than what you posted..... when i find the right one i will post it up for you....

when you guys have added your lights did you go through the cars electrical panel or did you bypass it and just connect to the battery?

are running one or two relay's.

thanks in advance

For a min, I thought Chantale came back.....

So did I.

i thought so too.... i need to find out what it would take to get her back.....

I have her cell #/personal email addy so I'll shoot her an text/email later this week and see what's up with her and will update.

yeah i have her email as well i will also check into it... lol

yeah i have her email as well i will also check into it... lol

heyyy, back off of my girl, plus not to mention, your married! :mocking: hahaha

Whatever happned to kiwitim or w/e his username was.. i haven't seen a post from him in a long time??

Whatever happned to kiwitim or w/e his username was.. i haven't seen a post from him in a long time??

Checked on K1w1t1m's profile....looks like he has been logging in now and then but doesn't post. IIRC - he no longer has an X and has an Landcruiser. What made you think of him? lol

Haha word. i have no idea.. i was looking at the mount he had made for his cb antenna a while back and realized he hadn't posted in a long time. he knew a ton lol

Yeah he did know alot about several things....hmmm.....I think this calls for a secret meeting with the mods!