Read worklight. Is a relay really necessary??

flat · Feb 25, 2015

I have a worklight I want to fit.

I have no reverse lights and am not fussed about wiring the worklight to work as a reverse light, I just want it for when I am loading up etc.

I have searched and read on here and Google generally but am a bit muddled with this electrickery ****.

Do I really need a relay?

Could I just run a fused length of appropriate wire via an appropriate switch straight from the battery to the light?

Was planning on just running a wire along the top of the chassis.

Seems like a relay is over complicating it, it's just a 55w 12v spot so about 5amps.

Will fuse with a 7.5a fuse near the battery and a switch rated for more than that.

Will that be okay? I don't want to release the blue smoke of death.

Cheers

Ed

blue beasty · Feb 25, 2015

Basically no you don't need a relay, it only becomes a serious issue if running a bank of lights

flat · Feb 25, 2015

wicked so straight from battery via a new fused bit of cable is ok, nice. Will get down the autofactor shop and get the bits.

All this 'purple wire at the back' stuff - on mine ALL the wires at the back are yellow lol

blue beasty · Feb 25, 2015

flat said:
wicked so straight from battery via a new fused bit of cable is ok, nice. Will get down the autofactor shop and get the bits.

All this 'purple wire at the back' stuff - on mine ALL the wires at the back are yellow lol

Ya gotta luv the MOD

flat · Feb 25, 2015

blue beasty said:
Ya gotta luv the MOD

yeah it was an absolute ballache when one light started playing up. As i am sure there are on your motor, there are some really bizarre things on mine lol

flat · Feb 25, 2015

One more thing, should the fuse be higher rated than the switch or vice versa?

Would a 7.5a fuse and a 6a switch be okay?

blue beasty · Feb 25, 2015

Not sure tbh how much difference it'd make but I'd rather have a fuse blow under the bonnet than a switch melt in me dash so I'd fit a higher rated switch.

blue beasty · Feb 25, 2015

flat said:
yeah it was an absolute ballache when one light started playing up. As i am sure there are on your motor, there are some really bizarre things on mine lol

I ended up rewiring all the rear lights cause it was easier than trying to work out what was supposed to go where.

nobber · Feb 25, 2015

You need to find out how many amps the light will draw, then figure out if you will be putting in a brighter bulb, then buy the bits.
I have mine on a relay, its triggered by the reverse light, its also on a switch.
I put the switch in the tub for safety, just in casa it got accidently switched on and its easy to get at when loading etc. Get a switch with a light, so you have a visual warning if you left it on .

biolandy · Feb 25, 2015

Treat urself to a LED light rather than #### about with a 55w heater-!0w Led will be tons bright enough for what you want and will pull less than an amp

flat · Feb 25, 2015

Okay cheers chaps, have brought the relevant bits.

Don't fancy an LED as it looks to 'new' if you know what I mean? I want something in keeping with the age and appearance of a ratty old mil vehicle

oxides · Feb 25, 2015

Just check this out first....The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989

trax · Feb 25, 2015

led would be better for your battery and light output..

fuse should be the lowest rating after the light, so that blows not the wire or switch.

surprised they do a lil 6a switch. even el cheapos seem to be 10amp

terr · Feb 25, 2015

oxides said:
Just check this out first....The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989

so i cant have 4 reverse lights then

flat · Feb 26, 2015

trax said:
led would be better for your battery and light output..

fuse should be the lowest rating after the light, so that blows not the wire or switch.

surprised they do a lil 6a switch. even el cheapos seem to be 10amp

Yeah the one I picked up in the end was an illuminated rocker rated at 10a

Okay so LED would be better power wise, I already have the 55w 12v rubbolite worklight.

Hmmm does anyone know of an LED worklight which doesn't look to 'modern' if you see what I mean?

dogsbody · Feb 26, 2015

Rubolitre, now known as Truck Lite, do a range of LED lights. However almost all show the LEDs behind the lens so, if you want the looks, stick to what you've got.
You could put an LED bulb into your fitting but I've never been happy with the throw of light from them.

flat · Feb 26, 2015

dogsbody said:
Rubolitre, now known as Truck Lite, do a range of LED lights. However almost all show the LEDs behind the lens so, if you want the looks, stick to what you've got.
You could put an LED bulb into your fitting but I've never been happy with the throw of light from them.

Cheers will browse their range, I just am not sure I like all the finned bits on the back etc

trax · Feb 26, 2015

flat said:
Cheers will browse their range, I just am not sure I like all the finned bits on the back etc

stick the one you have in for now. easy to swap to led later if you find you need it

Read worklight. Is a relay really necessary??

flat

Well-Known Member

blue beasty

Leaks an prone to bits dropping off

flat

Well-Known Member

blue beasty

Leaks an prone to bits dropping off

flat

Well-Known Member

flat

Well-Known Member

blue beasty

Leaks an prone to bits dropping off

blue beasty

Leaks an prone to bits dropping off

nobber

Well-Known Member

biolandy

Well-Known Member

flat

Well-Known Member

oxides

Well-Known Member

trax

.

terr

Active Member

flat

Well-Known Member

dogsbody

Very senior member

flat

Well-Known Member

trax

.

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