30 in light bar.

Do you think I need a relay for this?

 

Preferably

 

IMO, you must. Because;

1) You are most likely using a switch that is not rated to run big current. Most only rated to run few milliamps of current.

2) if you don't plan to use a switch to avoid 1st point and decide to run directly from highbeam it could overload the circuit.

So imp you should use a relay and power it by the 12V battery with a calculated fuse for the current needed and trigger the relay by a switch of your choice. Switch input power can be off the cigarette lighter or something like that so when the car is off the light bar is off regardless the switch.

Use relay and fuse even if you are using small pod lights or similar. Just my opinion.

 

Well my KC’s just came with a high current switch. And a fuse.

 

Just gonna use it when I tow. And point it down at the ground.

 

Wonder what will happen first:
It falls off and I run it over puncturing a tire?
The wires burn up and I have a total electrical melt down on the interstate?
A snow drift takes it out?
Or all of the above?

 

This has 78 LED’s.

 

I’m gonna look like a VDOT dump truck coming down the road.

 

I was actually asked to drive a dump truck for them they are paying $18hr starting. But I’m gonna wait until after hunting season.

 

Yo, you're holding an entire conversation with yourself, I'm less concerned than impressed.

 

I hear ya I’ll shut up now.

 

This ^^^, but just out of curiosity, how many amps does it supposedly draw?

BTW, what good is it going to do pointed at the ground?

 

Ya I’m prob gonna get a relay.

 

No relay. It’s super bright looks dim in pic.

 

I don’t even know how a relay works.

 

If I have mounted the light bar that way and parked at Walmart parking lot, it will be gone by the time I return buying groceries. Denver is now super unsafe place imo.

 

So your saying you like it?

 

Let me be brutally honest. If I own that I would not fix it that way. I would find a way to mount something like the pic I found with google search below where it looks better and won't be that easy for anyone to steal. Hope you don't misunderstand. I just wanted it to look good and safe.

 

Well I heard they get real hot so. Mounting that close to plastic?

 

They charged me $400 for that new plastic valance.

 

The hot setup (no pun intended) is to mount them just behind the grill. This solves the problem of somebody stealing it as well as the problem of excess heat. I ran this for a number of years before selling the truck and never had a problem with heat damaging the plastic surfaces. Remember, most of the heat radiates off the back side from the heat sinks.

 

I would run a relay when/if wiring up that light bar. For safety factor above wiring convenience.
Good luck!

 

I had a car show. I was the only entry.

 

And I won.

 

Nice. Is that light bar the trophy you awarded yourself?

Do you have it wired to a separate switch?

 

I think I need a BMC.

 

I’m using a KC high current No relay switch it’s fine.

 

Copy that. Thanks for the update.

 

I won 2nd and 3rd place too. Got wheels and a 1 inch spacer lift for the rear haven’t received it yet.

 

I once got a trophy for T ball when I was a wee little lad. I still have it, Think it is boxed up in the garage somewhere. Played short stop.

Good times!