piaa 520 wiring help needed

the magnetguy · 12-14-2006, 07:55 PM

Just picked up a pqir of Piaa 520 driving lights and will be hooking them up tomorrow. Quick question? - Is it better to use the supplied high beam connector to tap into headlight wire or just run switch power wire to highbeam fuse in fuse box? Can I run these lights by themselves without tapping into highbeam wires? I've searched this already and can't decide which is the best way of wiring?
thanx for any advice!!

**SoonerFJ** · 12-14-2006, 08:08 PM

I have mine wired in to engine bay fuse box. Both sets of driving and fog lights mounted on the rack are wired to the high beam fuse. Easy to do and "undo".

Pinker · 12-14-2006, 08:12 PM

I haven't installed driving lights but I just did fogs and the concept is the same. I used the battery lead going into the fuse box as my source. I tapped into the Low Beam headlight fuse using a Add a circuit from Pepboys. Grounded all earth wires to the Battery ground bolted to inside fender. Ran the switch wires through the firewall (hole just below where the stock cables run) to a switch.

The reason I used the low beam is I woldn't need fogs with high beams on. I can turn the fogs on with just the DRL's running or the low beams.

**dbbd1** · 12-14-2006, 08:52 PM

I prefer a good, clean connection for high-current items like fogs or drivings. I do not think that the crimp-type connectors make a good connection for the new items and can cut and/or nick the strands of wire for the existing items that are powered by that circuit. I would run a lead from the battery or battery supply at either of the fuse boxes, with an inline fuse assembly, to the switch then relay.

Pinker · 12-14-2006, 09:01 PM

Quote:

dbbd1 previously said:

I prefer a good, clean connection for high-current items like fogs or drivings. I do not think that the crimp-type connectors make a good connection for the new items and can cut and/or nick the strands of wire for the existing items that are powered by that circuit. I would run a lead from the battery or battery supply at either of the fuse boxes, with an inline fuse assembly, to the switch then relay.

I totally agree, I can't tell you how many times I have had those crimps fail. Leave the factory wiring alone and tap into the fuse box using an Add on circuit. Worth every cent.

the magnetguy · 12-15-2006, 03:39 PM

Thanks very much you guys for your wiring info help!! - much appreciated!!
One last question? . . . When wiring the switch power wire into the fuse box , - what is the best way of connecting it? - can I just strip a bit more of the plastic of this wire and wrap it around the fuse or just wedge it into a fuse slot? also if I want to run the lights without the highbeams on , can I connect this power wire to another fuse slot?? - thanks again for your help!! - Tim

**dbbd1** · 12-15-2006, 09:39 PM

Since the battery is just spittin' distance from the fuse box, put a spade connector on it and mount it under one of the screws on the battery terminal. Then you can run them whenever you want.

the magnetguy · 12-16-2006, 07:05 PM

Quote:

dbbd1 previously said:

Since the battery is just spittin' distance from the fuse box, put a spade connector on it and mount it under one of the screws on the battery terminal. Then you can run them whenever you want.

Dbbd1 - that's a great tip!! never thought of that - I presume I would mount it under the (+ pos terminal)? or does it matter? thanx again! - Tim

Pinker · 12-29-2006, 07:26 PM

Quote:

the magnetguy previously said:

Dbbd1 - that's a great tip!! never thought of that - I presume I would mount it under the (+ pos terminal)? or does it matter? thanx again! - Tim

Don't mount anything directly to your battery. If your looking for a good source, mount it to the lead wire feeding your fuse box. If looking from the front of the truck, it's on the left side of the box.

TxFiddler · 01-26-2007, 10:39 PM

I ran PIAA 520's with an add-on circuit directly into the engine compartment fuse box. If you look at the fuse diagram on the underneath side of the box cover, notice that at the top right row of fuses, there is a slot made for offroad lights. That's where I added the add-on circuit and I have power even when the vehicle is not switched on. I am curious though, should the PIAA switch stay illuminated?
TxFiddler