learn me some high amperage wiring

[CJ]

Within the next few weeks I'm going to be wiring up rather high wattage lighting on my Jeep. I use the Jeep for hunting primarily, and I hunt at night - so light is key.

At the moment I'm going to run 9 130watt KC daylighters - that's 1.17Kw of power - which by my calculations (1170/12) is 97 amps, and that doesn't account for thermal resistance so I'm figured 120 amps is more realistic.

4 of the lights are bumper mounted, and 5 are mounted on a lightbar above the windshield. So I plan on having two different circuits. How exactly would you run this? Previously, I had 4 130w lights on a relay, calculated that should be 43 amps - I had a 60amp thermal breaker and I kept tripping the breaker when I was out hunting and ended up just jumping it and running it straight - worked fine.

As for the 5 lights, What gauge wire would you recommend? I use to run a shared ground wire for all lights, but I've since just grounded to the bar and run only one main lead to the relay. What gauge would you recommend for that? Any good breakers anyone can recommend? I plan on using bosch relays, but I'm not sure if there is a relay that can reliably handle 55 amps - anyone have a recommendation?

[Baron Von Crowder]

I've been learing about this recently, we have to get lots of light in front of the cars at the next race, going all night.

The guys that have done it before are running the lights in pairs, and seperate circuits for each pair.

They are reccomending HID kits in them, lower amps and more light.

[CJ]

I've been learing about this recently, we have to get lots of light in front of the cars at the next race, going all night.

The guys that have done it before are running the lights in pairs, and seperate circuits for each pair.

They are reccomending HID kits in them, lower amps and more light.

Yeah, HID is great and everything, but it costs 10x more. I would really rather not deal with 5 circuits if I can do it with two.

[CJ]

Well, here is my current setup. What I want to know is what gauge wire I would need, and if there is a better way to do this.

[dee]

I'd go with 8 or 6 gauge wire, it's been along time since I've wired higher amp stuff since most lights I deal with now are LED's.

[KBScobravert]

I use

https://www.racetronix.com

https://www.cabletiesandmore.com

https://www.rjinjection.com

https://www.eficonnection.com

https://www.waytekwire.com

For all my wire and wire accessories needs

[majorownage]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_wire_gauge

Ampacity is found in a chart named "Table of AWG wire sizes."

[jw33]

Use multi-strand or DLO cable. You can find the current ratings for the cable online for what you need. And I'd try to find a big relay to run it through before I put a few smaller ones in parallel. Or you could just run a single 30-amp relay for each light.

[Baron Von Crowder]

Use multi-strand or DLO cable. You can find the current ratings for the cable online for what you need. And I'd try to find a big relay to run it through before I put a few smaller ones in parallel. Or you could just run a single 30-amp relay for each light.

No no, he needs some obscure impossible to find part to make this work.

CJ, you are as hard headed as I am, but don't you think maybe it makes a bit of sense to use parts that you can pick up about anywhere? Why do you feel the need to reinvent the wheel?

[majorownage]

If that setup is on for any considerable time, I would start to think about a deep cycle marine battery. You'll burn through a standard car battery as they are not designed to be discharged for lengthy periods.

[futant]

sorry to show up so late CJ but let me assure you that you are wasting your time with this shit.

http://images.harborfreight.com/manuals/95000-95999/95059.pdf

My HID's just from harbor freight pull 3 AMPS apiece (9" housings)
they will daylight a huge fucking area, nothing and i mean NOTHING can compare to them
and i have two of them for whatever reason...

I got each for 80$ on sale at HF a few years back.
Everything else is just too inefficient man , why run 10X as much fucking wiring and kill your alternator with 100amps draw ?
pointless dude. just cut your loses and sell the lights.
These things are rediculous lumens, some shit like ive never seen before from a single spot light. 3 AMPS is just amazing

I would put just ONE of these things up against up to 4 of your lights and I promise you havent a chance in a fair competition, especially when you compare the amperage needs alone!
We can take pictures if you like...

[futant]

If that setup is on for any considerable time, I would start to think about a deep cycle marine battery. You'll burn through a standard car battery as they are not designed to be discharged for lengthy periods.

only a problem if you have dinosaur lights .
HID = technology !

(not that i don't have dual marine batteries)

[futant]

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?135101-Harbor-Freight-HID-Beamshots

lol 150 yards and tree is still too bright for exposure in pictures !
these pictures really do no justice to how bright these things are. I can run mine on the 2amp setting on my charger . NO SHIT
dude i am amazed everytime i light one of these HIDs up. It's insane they are even selling halogen any more.

[CJ]

LOL - HF HID's! I can't believe it...

Here's the reason why I am reluctant to switch... how durable are these going to be getting banged around? It seems like they have a laser light output - they dont need to be conical at all. Are you local to where I could see them in person? I'm definitely considering it.

futant, are you sure they still sell these? All the links are bad, and I can't find the product# on their website?

[CJ]

The more I think about it, what's keeping me from just buying some of those cheap DDM HID kits and retrofit my KC lights?