P500 Relay really needed?

[Hib]

I have a 3" cube flood and a 8" flood/spot bar that I plan on tying into separate leads on sub harness.The cube is rated 1.5 watts and the bar 23 watts. If my calculations are correct they would draw 1.5 and 2 amps. Each through separate fused 15 amp rocker switches. Would relays really be required?

 

[Admin]

 

[Remington]

I have a 3" cube flood and a 8" flood/spot bar that I plan on tying into separate leads on sub harness.The cube is rated 1.5 watts and the bar 23 watts. If my calculations are correct they would draw 1.5 and 2 amps. Each through separate fused 15 amp rocker switches. Would relays really be required?

No but not a bad idea for safety and longevity

 

[MarkAlan]

You can buy a premade harness on Amazon, that includes a fuse, relay, and switch for cheap. I used them and just cut down the extra wire length since they are made for a truck or Jeep.

 

[MarkAlan]

Nilight 10011W 16AWG Wiring Harness Kit-2 Leads LED Light Bar 12V On/Off 5 Pin Rocker Switch Power Relay Blade Fuse for Jeep Boat Trucks, 2 Years Warranty​

They sell for $13.76

 

[HBarlow]

A relay should always be used in a circuit that draws high current. It keeps the high current out of the switch. The ON/OFF switch only controls the relay and the relay switches the high current.

It's a safety feature and preserves the life of the ON/OFF switch and related under dash wiring.

 

[Montecresto]

Would relays really be required?

IMO, yes.....
Easy inexpensive protection. This way the switch is just a trigger. 👍

 

[bowhunterbill]

When I bought a LED light bar (amazon) I stopped at the Dealer we bought the P5 and asked what they use when doing aftermarket upgrades.

The service manager said they don’t install relays- just use a high quality switch they sell.

I bought the switch and have had no problems for 2 years.


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[Montecresto]

When I bought a LED light bar (amazon) I stopped at the Dealer we bought the P5 and asked what they use when doing aftermarket upgrades.

The service manager said they don’t install relays- just use a high quality switch they sell.

I bought the switch and have had no problems for 2 years.


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That’s cool, what brand and how much?

 

[Bisley]

I went through a couple hours of frustration yesterday on just this problem. I am running a pair of 4.4 watt 320 lumen lights as a dome light/bed light. Only two lights on that switch. Couldn't figure out for the life of me why they would run for less than a minute and not work again. THEN, I remembered I did not put in a relay (new to these LED lights). Doh! Relay, new switch to replace burnt out one, and all is great 👍

Not great pictures, but it gives you an idea of how little they are and still burnt out the rocker switch.

 

[Bigtee]

I installed these, come with a fuse so no need for a fuse box.

 

[TimG]

I just bought {10} 40 amp 4 pole relays on ebay for $11.00 and free shipping. I also bought a few of the wiring harnesses on ebay auctions with the switch,wiring and relay for $7.50 each,free shipping, a 20 pack of 12 gauge inline fuse holders for like $21.00 shipped So pretty cheap. I used to not use them unless supplied with the light{s} I bought but cheap insurance to install on accessories.

 

[bowhunterbill]

That’s cool, what brand and how much?

I’m sorry, I don’t remember the brand.

I bought it at Yellowstone Motor Sports in Bozeman, Montana.


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[HBarlow]

When I bought a LED light bar (amazon) I stopped at the Dealer we bought the P5 and asked what they use when doing aftermarket upgrades.

The service manager said they don’t install relays- just use a high quality switch they sell.

I bought the switch and have had no problems for 2 years.


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That service manager is offering bad advice. Relays are always used by automobile and truck manufacturers for sound electrical safety reasons.

 

[bowhunterbill]

Here’s a switch (20 amp) and a light bar (12.7 amp) I found on SuperATV. Use as examples.

I don’t see any problem using the rocker without a relay. Even with a 20% safety margin (16 amps) you’re ok.





I wouldn’t use a cheapie rocker off Amazon, regardless of their specs.


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[Bisley]

That's what I thought with a pair of only 300 lumen dome lights pulling half that without a relay. I was wrong, and will not make that mistake again.

 

[Olaf]

I went through a couple hours of frustration yesterday on just this problem. I am running a pair of 4.4 watt 320 lumen lights as a dome light/bed light. Only two lights on that switch. Couldn't figure out for the life of me why they would run for less than a minute and not work again. THEN, I remembered I did not put in a relay (new to these LED lights). Doh! Relay, new switch to replace burnt out one, and all is great 👍

Not great pictures, but it gives you an idea of how little they are and still burnt out the rocker switch.

View attachment 271846 View attachment 271847 View attachment 271848

I have that same setup but never had a problem, good to know if they quit working.

 

[bowhunterbill]

Update- I put a second led light bar on my P5, and as I was wiring in a relay thought about this topic. The relay was $18, a full wiring kit with plug and lights harness $22 at the local NAPA

So yes- in Montana we do use relays on our light bars It doesn’t get really dark here until almost 11pm, so checking out my work and adjusting them it really lights up the area in front.

The Honda headlights are useless in comparison, even with the upgraded led bulbs.




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