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Old 04-25-2007, 10:45 PM   #1 (permalink)
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help with wiring... what is a "load"wire...?

where do i install the load wire?

as you can see from the box the illuminated rocker switch came in, there is a ground, load and power. i know where the ground and power go, and i experimented and the load powers the light on the switch. when it gets power, and you flip the switch, the accessory will turn on, and the light in the switch will turn on also... that is what i want to happen.

....

sometimes the wire would get hot, and sometimes it wouldn't. so something is shorting. don't want a meltdown!

i am installing fog lights and two more headlights as part of the road armor bumper/guard and started with the switches... just like this picture:





thanks for your help!





--c
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Old 04-25-2007, 10:55 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Re: help with wiring... what is a "load"wire...?

If the switch is getting hot, are you powering your lights directly through the switch and not through a relay?

T
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Old 04-25-2007, 11:16 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Re: help with wiring... what is a "load"wire...?

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If the switch is getting hot, are you powering your lights directly through the switch and not through a relay?

T


haven't gotten that far yet... actually, the 4x4 shop will be installing that stuff as part of my package, but wanted to do the switches so they looked right (inside the cabin, that is...).

i'm sure they will know how to do it, but JUST in case, i'll be there with the "how to's"....



--c
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Old 04-25-2007, 11:27 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Re: help with wiring... what is a "load"wire...?

The load wire carries the current to the device you are powering --your lights. As Icruiser alluded those PIAA lights need a relay. A relay acts as a high power switch, the switches you installed will be turning the relay on and the relay can supply the high current to your lights with no fear of over heating or voltage loss due to long wiring runs.
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Old 04-26-2007, 12:45 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Re: help with wiring... what is a "load"wire...?

will the lights come with this "relay" ? not sure what's in the package...


--c
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Old 04-26-2007, 12:53 AM   #6 (permalink)
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Re: help with wiring... what is a "load"wire...?

Quote:
stunaep previously said: View Post
will the lights come with this "relay" ? not sure what's in the package...


--c
If you bought a PIAA set they usually come with:

"Includes two lamps, pre-assembled wiring harness, relay, switch, two black grid style covers"
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Old 04-26-2007, 06:17 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Re: help with wiring... what is a "load"wire...?

The relay is usually a 2'X2" black square with a mounting tab on one end. The other end has metal male spade plugs used to connect the wires. Even my $9 rear roof rack lights came with a relay and wire harness surley the PIAA's includes it.
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Old 04-26-2007, 06:42 AM   #8 (permalink)
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Re: help with wiring... what is a "load"wire...?

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Gwagg previously said: View Post
The relay is usually a 2'X2" black square with a mounting tab on one end. The other end has metal male spade plugs used to connect the wires. Even my $9 rear roof rack lights came with a relay and wire harness surley the PIAA's includes it.


THANKS, EVERYONE!

i'm sure it will come with the relay, then... i found a link that has a illustration of how to install the switch to the lights, too... i'm sure the installers can figure it out without melting my rig!

scroll down the page to the Illuminated Rocker Switch




--c
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Old 04-26-2007, 07:22 AM   #9 (permalink)
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Re: help with wiring... what is a "load"wire...?

You can buy PIAAs in a kit or single lamps. They don't all come with wiring. Yes you absolutely need to run the lamps off a rely or your switch will need to handle a lot of amps. I know those red ones you have are only rated for 6 or 10 amps max initial load.

The PIAA 510 energize at about 12 amps and run at around 7 or 8 amps. Way to much for the little switches you have there.

Think of the "load" wire as the wire that sends the signal to the relay to trip it and send the larger current to the lights. So you connect the hot lead of the switch to the source you want to draw your low amp signal from (options 1-3 below) and the "load" wire goes out to the relays signal lead.

Depending on how you want to run the "signal" to the relay the power for the switch should come from one of the following;

1. The ignition on hot source (in the internal FJ fuse box it is the empty fuse socket on the bottom row far right) if you only what the lights to be able to come on only when the key is on.

2. The always hot source (the empty fuse socket second row, second socket from the left) if you what to be able to turn on the lights with the key off or on.



3. Or like most directions say you can tap the high beam signal wire if you want the lights to come on with the switch on and you flip the high beams on. I have never done it this way in any of my vehicles so I haven't traced down the FJs high beam signal lead.

I can't find the wiring diagram I drew up for mine but I'll keep looking.

Last edited by KD7NAC_07FJ : 09-05-2007 at 11:39 AM.
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Old 04-26-2007, 07:45 AM   #10 (permalink)
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Re: help with wiring... what is a "load"wire...?

I used the Day time Running light fuse port and used an ADD A Circuit for my PIAA 525's it works great I wanted it that way so if I ever forgot my lamps were on when I turned off the vehicle they would lose power. That and I can remove it and none of the factory wiring was touched.

PIAA's should come with everything you need to include the tiny zip ties and wire connectors. Only thing was my toggle switch was made right into the harness, which could modified for sure but I liked the factory one.
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