Chev Tahoe Accessory Wiring

[korygrandy]

Question,
I got some off-road lights for my 1995 Chevy Tahoe for Xmas that I am in the process of wiring into the truck. When wiring accessories to my vehicle can I use one of the 2 existing fuse blocks (1 in cab of truck by driver side door, 1 in engine compartment) to get my positive feed?

So + from LIGHTS to Switch and + from Switch to existing factory fuse block, or am I going to need to route a + wire from the battery terminal through the firewall and connect it to my switch?

I know this isn't the ideal forum to post this on so if there's a better forum please let me know.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Chev Tahoe Accessory Wiring

I would run it on its own fuse.Some of those lights draw a lot of amps.
So yes,From the battery to the switch then back to the lights.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Chev Tahoe Accessory Wiring

If these are the heavy duty type lights, I would also consider putting a relay in the system.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Chev Tahoe Accessory Wiring

What size fuse did the manufacturer of the lights supply or do they suggest what fuse value to fuse the lights at? The Vehicle Fuse block can normally handle some more load but if your new lights are to heavy a load then you will want to wire it directly to your battery or another battery post possibly on the under hood fuse block. need a bit more info.....

 

[CobiaXL]

Re: Chev Tahoe Accessory Wiring

If these are the heavy duty type lights, I would also consider putting a relay in the system.

Do it right the first time,I 2nd this suggestion...Then you know your golden

 

[mike343]

Re: Chev Tahoe Accessory Wiring

There is a Tahoe/burb/Escalade site. If you can register let me know. I have tried a few times over several months.

http://www.tahoeforum.com/

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Chev Tahoe Accessory Wiring

I have 2 sets of 2 lights. The first set are 100watt KH HiLites Daybreakers and the second set are Baja's. The KC's came with a 20watt in-line fuse, and the baja's came with a 20amp yellow fuse for the fuse block.

I like the idea of doing it right but I'm not sure why I would need a relay, can you please elaborate on that? Is this specific to lights or anything that draws power?

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Chev Tahoe Accessory Wiring

Hi Kory,

Here is a link to an explanation of using relays in high output lighting with diagrams.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/relays.html

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Chev Tahoe Accessory Wiring

I have 2 sets of 2 lights. The first set are 100watt KH HiLites Daybreakers and the second set are Baja's. The KC's came with a 20watt in-line fuse, and the baja's came with a 20amp yellow fuse for the fuse block.

I like the idea of doing it right but I'm not sure why I would need a relay, can you please elaborate on that? Is this specific to lights or anything that draws power?

Yes you should relay it, IMO thats to much draw from the factory fuse block. are these driving lights? How many driving lights come on with the light switch, most states regulate that only 4 driving lights can be on your vehicle on the low beam setting and 2 on hi beam, the reason I ask is that if your going to use a relay, you have two lights on low beam and want 4 you can simply use the low beam wire to trigger your relay for the driving lights pretty simple deal, when you turn your lights on the driving lights come on to, when you switch to hi beams the driving lights turn off automatically. If DOT rules don't apply then you can wire another switch to trigger your relay and turn them on. Your most likely looking for a single pull double throw relay (I use Bosch 40 amp relays) I can help you wire them up they are pretty easy once you get to know them plus you can use them to power all kinds of cool stuff.

I would suggest this relay
http://terminalsupplyco.com/Store/Product.aspx?pc=332+209+150

Terminal-destination
85-from switch 12V+
86-to ground
30- Battery 12V+ fused at 40 amps for both sets of lights
87- to lights
87a- not connected

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Chev Tahoe Accessory Wiring

The idea for using a relay is to use low amperage to control higher amperage, you probably got a switch with these lights(if not go buy one you like), by using a relay for both sets of lights or one relay for each set of lights you can use one switch fused at 1-5 amps to control 20-30 amps worth of load, most switches are rated for less then 10 amps so they can't handle that much load anyway, by using a relay you don't have to worry about what the switch can handle since its only switching a relay which takes milliamps(very little power) to energize the magnet in the relay. If you want to use two relays thats fine simply install a jumper between the switch 12v+ terminals on the relays the switch you install can probably handle 20 relays at the same time easy.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Chev Tahoe Accessory Wiring

Yes you should relay it, IMO thats to much draw from the factory fuse block. are these driving lights? How many driving lights come on with the light switch, most states regulate that only 4 driving lights can be on your vehicle on the low beam setting and 2 on hi beam, the reason I ask is that if your going to use a relay, you have two lights on low beam and want 4 you can simply use the low beam wire to trigger your relay for the driving lights pretty simple deal, when you turn your lights on the driving lights come on to, when you switch to hi beams the driving lights turn off automatically. If DOT rules don't apply then you can wire another switch to trigger your relay and turn them on. Your most likely looking for a single pull double throw relay (I use Bosch 40 amp relays) I can help you wire them up they are pretty easy once you get to know them plus you can use them to power all kinds of cool stuff.

I would suggest this relay
http://terminalsupplyco.com/Store/Product.aspx?pc=332+209+150

Terminal-destination
85-from switch 12V+
86-to ground
30- Battery 12V+ fused at 40 amps for both sets of lights
87- to lights
87a- not connected

Good advice. I use the same relay for my fog lights.

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Chev Tahoe Accessory Wiring

I ordered this relay. So can I wire both switches (1 switch per pair of lights) to this 1 relay or do I need to relays for each pair of 100watt lights?

Yes you should relay it, IMO thats to much draw from the factory fuse block. are these driving lights? How many driving lights come on with the light switch, most states regulate that only 4 driving lights can be on your vehicle on the low beam setting and 2 on hi beam, the reason I ask is that if your going to use a relay, you have two lights on low beam and want 4 you can simply use the low beam wire to trigger your relay for the driving lights pretty simple deal, when you turn your lights on the driving lights come on to, when you switch to hi beams the driving lights turn off automatically. If DOT rules don't apply then you can wire another switch to trigger your relay and turn them on. Your most likely looking for a single pull double throw relay (I use Bosch 40 amp relays) I can help you wire them up they are pretty easy once you get to know them plus you can use them to power all kinds of cool stuff.

I would suggest this relay
http://terminalsupplyco.com/Store/Product.aspx?pc=332+209+150

Terminal-destination
85-from switch 12V+
86-to ground
30- Battery 12V+ fused at 40 amps for both sets of lights
87- to lights
87a- not connected

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Chev Tahoe Accessory Wiring

The 40 amp relay is designed to run both sets of lights, you should have one 40 amp fused wire,(8 or 10 ga) from the battery to feed the relay(post 30) then each light circuit fused at 20 amps attaches to the Relay(post 87)

Your 40 amp Fuse should be as close to the battery as possible or within 18 inches, Your fuses for the lights should be within the same length (18 inches) of the relay.
Clear as mud?

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Chev Tahoe Accessory Wiring

I have to agree with the relay. But I would relay both light set separately. Just a question didn't the light kits come with directions and wiring kits. I know that not all after market kits come with every thing needed.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Chev Tahoe Accessory Wiring

There's no reason not to use two relays, gets you more room before maxing out the relay and less heat generated can't be a bad thing either!!

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Chev Tahoe Accessory Wiring

I was just about to defend my comment when I reread your post and you were agreeing with me. I need to pay more attention.:facepalm::redface:

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Chev Tahoe Accessory Wiring

Its tough sometimes on the web, I agree with you I would use two relays just for a little room, but as soon as I say that someone will come on and say that the specifications clearly state the relay will handle 40 amps and there is no reason blah blah blah...

I hate that about the web, I forget that I am not in charge telling my guys to do this or do that MY way, but what can we do!!

But yes in my shop this application would get 2 relay's