We should never neglect the safety aspect when we practice our activity. Many off-road vehicle laws across Canada require to ride with headlights on at all times. The reason is simple, it helps to be highly visible for riders coming in the opposite direction. It is also a good idea to project more light in front of us to improve our visibility when night falls.
The addition of an LED bar on your vehicle can be performed by anyone without having a high level of skills. Most LED bar kits available on the market come with all the necessary wiring and hardware for quick and easy installation.
But before we start, we strongly recommend that you enquire about the off-road vehicle laws and regulations in your area, so you are aware of any spécial requirement or obligation regarding the use of an LED bar on your vehicle. Of course, common sense prevails so if you meet other users on a trail, you should turn off your LED bars so as not to blind them.
The acronym LED stands for “Light-Emitting Diode”. The main difference between an LED and a regular lamp is that the LED emits light in a specific direction using a semiconductor rather than a heated filament. In this way, the LED type of lamps uses electric current much more efficiently.
Ready to add an LED bar to your vehicle? Based on our past experiences, here is our recommendation for this project: Kimpex LED bar.
Kimpex offers a vast selection of LED light bars of various sizes meeting the highest standards in the industry. They are known to be durable and efficient, with a high rate of visible light (lumen) per watt used.
They also offer spot and flood combos for full lighting area and increased visibility. Their aluminum cases are impact resistant and are sealed to resist the elements. The 6000K white lighting is close to daylight for a perfect perception of shapes and color. All the necessary wiring and hardware are included to facilitate the installation with peace of mind.
Kimpex LED light bars are a logical choice for a high-quality product at a reasonable price, for all ATV and UTV enthusiasts who want to customize their vehicle and gain improved visibility on the trail.
Making the decision to purchase an LED projector is a good choice. However, it is necessary to provide a constant amount of electrons so that it has a good and steady supply. Learning how to correctly wire an LED bar ensures reliability and prevents unsafe operation or damage to your vehicle.
If you’re not too familiar with watts, amps, and volts, the easiest installation is to do a direct battery connection. We decided to plug our LED bar to the headlights circuitry, on the high beams. That way the LED bar will automatically turn off when we turn on the low beam. But before we do this, we need to do some calculations to check the fuse rating and current capacity of the headlights circuit.
In our case, we will install a Kimpex LED bar on a Can-Am Outlander that is already equipped with four 55 watts bulbs.
We will add to these an additional 72 watts LED bar. Taking for granted that the 4 headlights and the LED bar will all be turned on at the same time, we would get a total of 292 watts (72 watts + (55 watts x 4)). We also have to take into account the maximum voltage coming from the 12-volt battery which sits at about 12.6 volts.
Watts / Volts = Amps
292 watts / 12.6 volts = 23.2 amps (therefore a minimum fuse of 25A must be used). In our present case, the Can-Am Outlander already has a 30A fuse that protects the headlights circuit, which is more than enough to power the additional LED bar and to protect everything against overcurrent and short circuits.
Here are the steps to make a safe LED bar installation:1- Neutralize the energy source. Your vehicle’s battery might seem harmless, but it is a potentially life-threatening storehouse of electrons looking for a way out at the speed of light. Therefore, always disconnect the ground terminal (negative) from the battery first.
This greatly reduces the risks of a short circuit. Second, disconnect the positive terminal.
2- Find a suitable mounting location that will allow the LED bar to be installed and the wires to pass through. You can use the mounting hardware supplied with the light bar as well as optional round tube brackets (sold separately). We opted for an installation on the front bumper for convenience. Fit it all up being careful not to fully tighten the hardware, as you will probably need to make a final adjustment at the last step.
3- Determine the exact place from where you will get your 12 volts supply. For our part, we spliced the 2 wires connected to a quick connection carrying the power to one of the headlights.
4- Secure your wiring using zip ties, making sure to avoid heat sources and moving parts. Keep in mind that prolonged rubbing of the wires against metal parts can cause a short circuit. Generally, running along the existing vehicle’s wiring is a safe path to follow.
5- A safe installation would require a relay. A relay is an electromechanical or electronic device by which a heavy electrical load can be turned on and off with a small current input. Aside from switching a heavy load, a relay is needed to conserve energy, extend the life of a device, and improve its efficiency. For example take the switching of 2 headlights: if they are activated by a normal switch, the voltage drop from the battery to the lamps through the switch will be huge, and the heat generated in the circuit due to the resistance will be considerable. The heavy current will be drawn by the lamps which will not only heat the circuit but also heavily drain the battery at the same time.
* To ensure full control of your LED bar, we recommend the installation of a control switch as an integral part of your installation. For our part, we have simplified our circuitry by using the hi / lo beam switch.
6- When the previous steps are completed and the wiring has been routed to the LED bar, all you have to do is make the final connection using the quick connect.
7- Finally, reconnect the positive terminal to the battery first, followed by the negative. Activate the high beam switch to check your connection and installation. At this stage, proceed with the final tightening of the LED bar hardware.
The installation of an LED bar may vary depending on the vehicle and the power source used. Customization like the one we have just done requires little planning and can be accomplished very easily.
In conclusion, adding an LED light bar is an inexpensive improvement compared to the benefits it provides. Our night rides are much safer now and this increased visibility is greatly appreciated during our ATV riding activity.
Posted by Benjamin Hunting Know How
Learning how to wire a light bar onto your truck or SUV will help you enjoy safer nighttime driving and brighten up your off-roading adventures after the sun goes down.
With their lower power requirements and more compact sizes, modern LED light bars are easier to install than older halogen light designs. To easily wire a light bar at home, follow these four basic steps.
Even with the lower power draw of an LED, it’s still a better idea to use a relay instead of running full current through a simple switch. Relays are usually rated to handle a much higher load than switches, which means they won’t overheat or potentially fail while being used. They also typically offer a lower voltage drop and can be combined with a single control switch that will allow you to turn a number of lights on and off at the same time, making for cleaner installation.
2. Choose a FusePutting a fuse between your relay and the battery will also protect your vehicle’s electrical system in case anything unexpected happens while your lights are on. A fuse is cheap, and it will sacrifice itself before any power surges make their way to your lights or spread through the rest of your truck’s wiring.
Make sure you choose a fuse that offers the correct amp rating for your lights’ power draw — if it’s rated too high, it won’t trip when needed.
You’ll most likely be wiring your LED light bar relay’s power lead directly to the battery, but you won’t necessarily use the same battery’s negative terminal as your ground. You can ground your wiring to the vehicle’s chassis, as long as it offers a clean connection between your circuit and bare metal. You’ll want to test that ground with a simple multimeter before making it permanent to ensure a strong contact.
4. Decide on an Auxiliary Switch or FactoryOne more important aspect of how to wire a light bar is the kind of switch you use. You can wire an aftermarket switch inside the vehicle that will trigger your relay. For a cleaner installation, you can also tap into the wiring harness for your vehicle’s high-beam headlights, and send power to the relay once those are activated.
This is helpful for two reasons: If the high beams are on, it’s dark enough to require your light bar, and on a modern vehicle, this will prevent you from accidentally leaving your LEDs on with the vehicle’s ignition and lighting turned off, saving your battery from being drained.
By following these steps, you’ll transform the safety and enjoyability of your nighttime explorations, no matter how far they might take you from civilization’s glow.
Check out all the lighting products available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on light bars, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons.
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auxiliary lighting, DIY, Jeep, LED lighting, light bar, lighting, truck, wiring
Having been bitten by the car bug at a young age, I spent my formative years surrounded by Studebakers at car shows across Quebec and the northeastern United States.
Over ten years of racing, restoring, and obsessing over automobiles lead me to balance science writing and automotive journalism full time. I currently contribute as an editor to several online and print automotive publications, and I also write and consult for the pharmaceutical and medical device industry.
LED power panel wiring How to wire the LED power panel correctly The LED lighting panels are extremely stable and easy to connect. Anyone can handle the installation of the device. It is enough to familiarize yourself with the special instructions and connection diagrams in detail. LED panels have the following advantages:
Lighting manufacturers offer LED panels in a variety of wattages and shapes.
In the process of searching for a suitable form of outdoor housing, it is recommended to evaluate the interior design of the room. For example, square-shaped panels are suitable for rooms with a classic interior style, while round lamps fit into objects with an open layout and modern interiors. nine0003
In practice, square light panels are more often installed in commercial, administrative and industrial buildings. In the home or entertainment venues, round-shaped LED panels are much more commonly mounted. Such recommendations are quite relative, since the final choice of the appearance and design of the lamp will depend on the estimated budget and personal preferences.
The choice of appearance and shape of the LED panel depends entirely on the taste preferences of the owner of the premises, so the technical parameters are not able to affect the specifics of the choice of appearance. It is worth choosing the appropriate power of the panels based on the needs of the room for illumination.
Most lighting manufacturers recommend to replace the classic 100 W incandescent lamp with a LED panel with a power ranging from 12 to 13 W. In fact, such miscalculations are not always true. Due to a variety of technical factors, LED panels with the same wattage can produce different lighting qualities in practice. LED panels usually emit radiation of different light spectrum: in warm, cold and neutral. This factor will affect the strength of the luminous flux, brightness and quality of lighting. nine0003
When the LED panels are ready for installation, the installer needs to create a network of electrical wiring. For a stable power supply of classic panel models, any electrical wiring with double insulation is suitable. Such a wire must be brought to the place where the panel is fixed on the ceiling.
One of the main wiring with additional branches can power several individual devices at once. The installer needs to correctly calculate the total energy consumption, which should be slightly lower than the capacity of the electrical wire.
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The main step in connecting the panel is fixing the equipment at the base of the ceiling. If the connection is carried out on the basis of a suspended structure, then special fasteners for a suspended connection will be useful for installation.
Some of the lighting panels have a built-in or recessed design, so they will be installed in pre-prepared niches with pre-wired cables. In this case, the installation of a round panel will require significant effort compared to square-shaped devices. nine0003
Before installing the LED panel, experts recommend additionally checking the quality of the device's power supply connection in order to prevent the need for re-fixing. When all the installation work is ready, the specialist needs to check the performance of the device in various operating modes.
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Regular maintenance will keep your ATV running safely and for a long time.
Control, lubrication, cleaning, adjustment and replacement of parts are carried out according to the regulations or as needed. Without the appropriate knowledge and qualifications, these procedures are best carried out at official CFMOTO service centers.
First check the level and quality of the oil in the engine, gearbox, front and rear gearboxes. Then proceed to other procedures:
ATV care includes:
Store the ATV in a cool, dry place, covered with an opaque tarp or cover. nine0003
For engine - semi-synthetic oils CFMOTO G-MOTION 10W40 4T and 5W40 4T with a temperature range of application from -30 to +40.
For the gearbox, front and rear gearboxes - Gazpromneft 80W-90 GL-5 transmission oil.
G-MOTION engine oils are specially designed for maximum damping of loads on 4-stroke engines of CFMOTO ATVs, have an increased margin of protective properties to ensure uninterrupted operation of the engine in all operating modes, including extreme ones, and increase the service life of equipment.
The oil consists of high-quality base components and additives with an optimal chemical composition. Their use guarantees the maximum service life of the CFMOTO ATV. nine0003
Automotive ATV oils are not suitable. The use of fuels and lubricants that do not comply with the manufacturer's recommendations can disable the equipment with serious consequences for the budget.
Be trained and instructed before using the ATV. Persons under 16 years of age are not allowed to drive. It is forbidden to operate an ATV without protective equipment - a helmet, eye protection, gloves, boots, long sleeves and trousers. You cannot operate machinery while intoxicated. nine0003
Check the ATV for proper operation before using it. Hands should always be on the handlebars and feet on the footrests. Do not drive the ATV too fast - speed should be appropriate for the terrain, visibility and riding experience.
Do not walk on the ice of a frozen body of water.
