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Help hard-wiring accessory lights in my truck, please.
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GraffQueen
New User
Apr 10, 2013, 10:43 AM
Post #1 of 4
(2420 views)
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Help hard-wiring accessory lights in my truck, please.
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2006 F-150
I want to hard-wire (not use the cigarette lighter inlet,) to run these lights.
They all say 12 volt and 2 of them are those sound bar lights, the other is an LED strip which I intend to cut into 2 halves, and the last piece is already connected to a cigarette lighter adapter and it is (2) little LED spotlights.
I already have 4 switches. I want to be able to mount a little control panel with my switches and run the lights from there. (I don't care if I have to use 1 switch for say the 2 sound bars -if that is even possible.)
The switches are pretty much basic toggle switches each has 3 connections on the back. They are marked (1 says ground, one says power, the other -I forget what it says.)
I also have a 12 volt LED power port that says it can be used to hard-wire up to (6) LED strips -it looks like a little block with connectors on the back for the wire.
HERE's my question(s)
1.) Can I (safely) splice into an existing power source under my dash to run everything and if so, what should I splice into? (Things were so much easier in the 70's & 80's -I wired so many 8-track & cassette players, added more speakers -but now I don't know sh^*t!)
2.) If I cannot splice into something - where do I start the connection?
3.) Can I use that 12volt power port for the sound bars as well as the LED's? (The sound bars say they are 12volt and they have the cig lighter connector on them -I don';t want that.)
4.) I have 2 12volt outlets in this truck. I use one for my GPS & 1 for charging my cell phone. I would settle for using the same one for both my cell & my GPS IF there is no other way to run these lights but to plug them into one of the existing 12v outlets. IF that is the only way this can be done -then I really am going to need some good (simple -like me,) advice.
***I would appreciate any & all advice on this. Despite th4e way this post reads, I'm not really a dumb blonde and have worked on my vehicles in the past -but after about 1990 -I gave up on everything except changing my oil and plugs, wires -fuel filter, air filter -the SIMPLE stuff.
My ideal situation would be this: NOT have to go through my firewall & hook straight to my battery. Have my 4 switches mounted somewhere on my dash. Be able to flip a switch and have my LED strip(s) turn on. Flip another and have my LED spotlights go on. Flip another & turn on one sound bar and f;lip the last to turn on the second sound bar. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: NOT have my truck start on fire or short something else out!
Can someone help me? & PLEASE keep it simple. Assume that I know jack sh^*t! -Like explain it if you were telling your 12 year old son how to do this (please.)
*You should know -I do have wiring skills. I do have a huge assortment of Ray Clads for splicing wire together, lugs, etc... I also can tin the ends of the wires if you think that would be better than twisting them and leaving them just twisted.
I do NOT know what gauge wire to use either -so can you give some advice there too? (I'm guessing I can't simply use speaker wire.????)
I REALLY, REALLY, Appreciate any and all help you can give!
THANKS VERY MUCH -IN ADVANCE,
-Sandi
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 10, 2013, 11:13 AM
Post #2 of 4
(2397 views)
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Re: Help hard-wiring accessory lights in my truck, please.
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1.) Can I (safely) splice into an existing power source under my dash to run everything and if so, what should I splice into? (Things were so much easier in the 70's & 80's -I wired so many 8-track & cassette players, added more speakers -but now I don't know sh^*t!)
You don't want to splice into any existing wiring under the dash. Those circuits are designed to handle a certain amount of current. Adding more loads to those existing circuits will overload those circuits.
Really need to sit down and design your circuit on paper, so you know what you need and have an idea how you want to route everything.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 10, 2013, 12:16 PM
Post #3 of 4
(2379 views)
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Re: Help hard-wiring accessory lights in my truck, please.
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There also needs to be relays incorporated into the circuits or they will fry the switches.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 11, 2013, 1:57 AM
Post #4 of 4
(2350 views)
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Re: Help hard-wiring accessory lights in my truck, please.
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Just a comment on the power ports: You can easily split one of existing two for cell phone and GPS with a silly plug in adaptor available in many parts outlets. Neither use squat for power. That's just a pigtail thing.
I totally don't suggest splicing into existing wiring for anything without full understanding of what you are doing and you are asking so apparently not. Why do the lighting thing at all. Do you really want to mess up things over silly stuff like that?
T
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