How to Wire Offroad Lights

Because off-road lights are usually mounted on top of a vehicle, it takes 10 to 20 feet of power cable to wire them. Off-road lights also use a relay switch to turn the lights on and off and employ high-power 12 volt light bulbs, as the lights are wired in parallel. Once the lights are mounted, you're ready to begin wiring.

• 1

  Label the lights L1 and L2. L1 will be the light closest to the battery based on how the wire is placed.

• 2

  Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from both ends of the black wire and connect one end to the negative terminal of L2. Connect the other end to a metal part of the vehicle frame. Repeat this step for L1.

• 3

  Cut a piece of red wire long enough to connect the two lights. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from both ends of that wire. Connect the positive terminal of L1 to the positive terminal of L2.

• 4

  Use screws to mount the power relay in the engine bay close to the battery. Use another piece of red wire to connect the positive terminal of L1 to the light terminal on the relay, and then connect the relay power terminal directly to the battery's positive terminal.

• 5

  Locate the switch terminal on the relay. Run a red wire from the switch terminal to one of the terminals on a 12-volt switch mounted on the dashboard. Connect the other terminal on the switch to a metal part of the vehicle frame. Test the lights by turning the switch on.