LED spot wiring.

retneprac

Well-Known Member

Posts

2,035

Location

Bedfordshire

• Dec 15, 2015

• #1

Intend to fit a pair of 18w LED spots.
Would it be best practise to still run them through a relay even at only 18w?

 

bankz5152

Well-Known Member

Posts

9,395

Location

South London/North Kent

• Dec 15, 2015

• #2

No need. Ive got a 108w without one, LEDs have such a low draw.

 

Kwakerman

Well-Known Member

Posts

3,278

Location

Hampshire

• Dec 15, 2015

• #3

36 Watts is only about 3 amps, so no if you are using a 10 amp switch

 

retneprac

Well-Known Member

Posts

2,035

Location

Bedfordshire

• Dec 15, 2015

• #4

Any issue with piggy backing off the high beam feed?

 

TomLR

Member

Posts

29

Location

Sussex

• Dec 15, 2015

• #5

Not if you use a relay

 

terr

Active Member

Posts

320

Location

folkestone

• Dec 15, 2015

• #6

yous a relay less power loss

 

Kwakerman

Well-Known Member

Posts

3,278

Location

Hampshire

• Dec 15, 2015

• #7

If you are wiring it to the headlight main beam then you also need a switch to isolate it otherwise you will fail the MOT

 

retneprac

Well-Known Member

Posts

2,035

Location

Bedfordshire

• Dec 15, 2015

• #8

going for relay then, and a switch on the feed from the battery.

 

zeaphod

Well-Known Member

Posts

3,110

Location

Belfast, Norn Iron

• Dec 16, 2015

• #9

Even though there's not much current draw, a relay isolated circuit is best practice - it will protect the rest of the wiring should anything go wrong with the spots. It will also allow you to uprate the spots without changing the wiring later.

 

vilguy

Do'er of stuff and the like

Posts

9,915

Location

Dumfrieshire

• Dec 16, 2015

• #10

+1

much better to put in the proper wiring, if you have a short circuit for some reason then at least its a seperate circuit. Better than losing your headlights in the middle of no where