I am adding a 20" light bar to my 01. I will be making a bracket to add it under my rear hitch, somewhat hidden as much as possible as it is a slim lightbar. Can I run the harness to my non main battery without ill effects? I will be running an inline fuse as well as a relay. My goal is to flip the switch on while backing up to increase my visibility while backing as my reverse lights are not bright at all. Would it work best running from my main battery?

I just got this weatherproof relay and the Blue Sea waterproof fuse holder from amazon.

Both quality parts

 

On 12/27/2017 at 8:51 AM, Red Rambler said:

 

 

Edited January 14, 20187 yr by GSP7

18 minutes ago, GSP7 said:

I just got this weatherproof relay and the Blue Sea waterproof fuse holder from amazon.

Both quality parts

 

 

 

Glad to hear it. Amazon is a good source. 

Red good find in those two items.

 

Now Im looking on the best deal for Shrink Tube with Melt Adhesive, and Heat Shrink Butt Connectors with melt adhesive

 

I cant even fine either with the melt adhesive anywhere local. No electronics supply stores anywhere either

 

.

Edited January 14, 20187 yr by GSP7

18 hours ago, GSP7 said:

Red good find in those two items.

 

Now Im looking on the best deal for Shrink Tube with Melt Adhesive, and Heat Shrink Butt Connectors with melt adhesive

 

I cant even fine either with the melt adhesive anywhere local. No electronics supply stores anywhere either

 

.

Oreilly auto parts has both but are Dorman brand. I usually get 3M from eBay. 3M is great quality. 

 

3M Butt connectors

 

Heat Shrink

 

Edited January 15, 20187 yr by Red Rambler

Better price here. Some dont show the size printed on the tube. Are these all 3m?

https://www.amazon.com/100pcs-Insulated-Shrink-Connectors-electrical/dp/B01C26ZBMG/ref=pd_cp_328_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01C26ZBMG&pd_rd_r=GJCQ7E86TBGVMSKHZY05&pd_rd_w=79jk9&pd_rd_wg=W81Wq&psc=1&refRID=GJCQ7E86TBGVMSKHZY05

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-Mixed-3M-Heat-Shrink-Butt-Electrical-Crimp-Terminals-Wire-Cable-Connectors/182164495120?hash=item2a69d99b10:g:50wAAOSwuYVWmDQd

Edited January 15, 20187 yr by GSP7

4 minutes ago, GSP7 said:

Better price here. Some dont show the size printed on the tube. Are these all 3m?

https://www.amazon.com/100pcs-Insulated-Shrink-Connectors-electrical/dp/B01C26ZBMG/ref=pd_cp_328_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01C26ZBMG&pd_rd_r=GJCQ7E86TBGVMSKHZY05&pd_rd_w=79jk9&pd_rd_wg=W81Wq&psc=1&refRID=GJCQ7E86TBGVMSKHZY05

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-Mixed-3M-Heat-Shrink-Butt-Electrical-Crimp-Terminals-Wire-Cable-Connectors/182164495120?hash=item2a69d99b10:g:50wAAOSwuYVWmDQd

 

The top link doesn't appear to be 3M on Amazon, however the 2nd link in eBay does appear to be 3M, based on the title. My 3M butt connectors have wire size lettering on them. I would use the Solder n Seal connectors versus the butt connectors if you purchased those, the ones you posted in the other thread about. My butt connectors that are 3M have the below lettering on them.

That's the thing about buying on line. You really dont know what you are buying. If its quality or some cheap knock-off junk, no mater what they advertise it as

Personally, if you looking for the optimal connection soldering the wires together is the best connection vs crimp connectors. I avoid crimp butt connectors being they are typically the weak point of a wiring issue. I'd rather have 1 continuous wire or solder and shrink tube the wire together. I've seen all kinds of crimp connectors with shrink tubing etc. Solder or welding the wire together will always be best. 

I think we all agree soldering is best when able to do so. I have the below soldering station and it works awesome. Heats up fast and you can get different tips for it. However, at times I have used butt connectors.

 

Weller Soldering Station

 

 

I have a small and huge soldering irons and also a weller gun that I use mostly

Almost got everything to install my back-up light.

 

First I removed this in-bed plug the first owner installed with scotch clips(what ever they are called). Lucky I live in the desert, so the wiring was clean where the clips were.

 

 

Im going Old School vintage style back-up light, no LED $.

The original bulb in my Peterson par36 light is a

#4411 par36 35w trapazoid beam, 2500 candle power

I tryed a....

#4415 35w fog/flood 40x5 degree beam, 9000 candle power

better but the 5 degree vertical is a thin fog beam.

So some research and I got......

#H7614 50w, 70x30 degree beam, 2000 candle power

Wow. this bulb lights 10 times more area and brighter than the other two inside my dark shop. The candle power rating doesnt mean much.. Plus the 70x30 degree beam is great for a back-up. I cant wait to test it tonight out side

Edited January 16, 20187 yr by GSP7

Those old clips look like wire taps. You will like the ability to see behind yourself upon backing once you get this thing going. My last straw was when I almost backed over my sons bike, because I couldn't see with the stock backup lights. Being in the Desert seems to have left your underside of your truck nice and clean

Yeah I'm jealous of rust free things, hate rust.

Trust me I know what you are saying...  I hate Idaho salt...

They never used to use salt on roads in Idaho.

 

Least not in N. Idaho or treasure valley

 

.

I have noticed with our last round of snow, the road crews have been laying down a lot of liquid de-icer, not sure how potent that stuff is on vehicles though. Might be worse than salt.

12 minutes ago, Red Rambler said:

I have noticed with our last round of snow, the road crews have been laying down a lot of liquid de-icer, not sure how potent that stuff is on vehicles though. Might be worse than salt.

 

Liquid deicer is corrosive to brass connectors and copper wiring so if you got any scotch locks used in the tail light wiring like most shops do then those will fail shortly after being exposed to the liquid deicer. 

 

Here you go...

http://www.peterschemical.com/magnesium-chloride-as-a-road-deicer-a-critical-review/

Got a lot that stuff out my way. They pretreat the roads with it.