Lightbar wiring

[ScottB]

I am considering a light bar from Heretic Studio. They have stated that they suggest not using the upfitter switches as they have seen issues with dimming shorting from installs using them. Their bar draws 25amps I guess I'm wondering if this is a thing? Or are they being extra cautious. They charge about $50 for the harness sold separately. I'd really prefer to not have to run their harness. Anyone else run into similar issues with light bars you've installed on upfitter system?

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[Bschurr]

You CAN use an Aux switch but it will need to be wired to at least a. 30Amp relay (25Amp load + 20% safety factor = 30Amps). EZPZ

 

[Brian_B]

Or relay to aux switch

 

[CalvinT]

I am considering a light bar from Heretic Studio. They have stated that they suggest not using the upfitter switches as they have seen issues with dimming shorting from installs using them. Their bar draws 25amps I guess I'm wondering if this is a thing? Or are they being extra cautious. They charge about $50 for the harness sold separately. I'd really prefer to not have to run their harness. Anyone else run into similar issues with light bars you've installed on upfitter system?

I was going to install their light bar. I have a Trailrax. They worked with Heretic to come up with a kit to install the Heretic light bar on their rack.

After taking a while to think it over, I changed my mind and will probably get a Baja Designs light bar.

I have some difficulty with Heretic's specifications. For their 40" light bar they claim 240 watts but then say it draws 25.4 A at 13.8V. That's 380 watts. So Heretic must be using LEDs rated at 240 watts @ 12 volts. That would account for the disparity. And would explain why they experience heating.

Baja Designs also says their 40" S8 light bar is 240 watts, and say it draws 16 A at 13.8 V. That calculates to 220 watts. 16 A is within the rating of the upfitter wire for SW 1.

There's a 15% difference in intensity, 30,000 lumens vs 25,400 lumens, the Heretic being brighter. Our eyes and ears have a logarithmic response. I don't think the difference would be visible to the naked eye. Beam shape would make a greater difference.

I talked to the guys from Heretic at last years Overland Expo West and they talked about the same issues you mentioned.

I'll be at the Overland Expo in a couple of weeks and I'm going ask them about the discrepancy in their power current ratings.

Most factory wiring uses TXL, SXL or GXL insullation, with GXL appearing to be the most common. All are rated to 125C or 257F. So a wire could feel hot but still be safe. I ran this by an AI client and it says the upfitter wiring would dissipate 8.7 watts per meter at 25.7 amps. No wonder Heretic experiences heating!

The Baja Designs S8 40" light bar would be well within the rating of the upfitter wiring. That means no need for a relay and all the extra wiring.

If you decide to go with the Heretic light bar I'd recommend their wiring kit. Then you could connect it to any of the upfitter switches. I'd recommend 3-6 because they're 10 amp and leave 1 and 2 for something that draws more current.

 

[Baja Designs]

I am considering a light bar from Heretic Studio. They have stated that they suggest not using the upfitter switches as they have seen issues with dimming shorting from installs using them. Their bar draws 25amps I guess I'm wondering if this is a thing? Or are they being extra cautious. They charge about $50 for the harness sold separately. I'd really prefer to not have to run their harness. Anyone else run into similar issues with light bars you've installed on upfitter system?

Just chiming in as we were mentioned in this thread. If the light is within the range of the aux switch rating, then you will be fine. We offer an S8/XL Linkable/ ONX6+ kit, which allows you to connect to the factory aux switches and have never encountered issues. If what you are trying to connect exceeds the factory rating of the aux switch, then a relay will need to be used since you can't power it off the aux switch alone. If you are interested or have any questions regarding our products, I'll be more than glad to help you out!



Ford Bronco Vehicle Specific kits

Best,

Brahian Herrera | Forum Sales & Support
Email: [email protected] | Phone: (760) 560-2252 Ext 201

 

[CalvinT]

Just chiming in as we were mentioned in this thread. If the light is within the range of the aux switch rating, then you will be fine. We offer an S8/XL Linkable/ ONX6+ kit, which allows you to connect to the factory aux switches and have never encountered issues. If what you are trying to connect exceeds the factory rating of the aux switch, then a relay will need to be used since you can't power it off the aux switch alone. If you are interested or have any questions regarding our products, I'll be more than glad to help you out!



Ford Bronco Vehicle Specific kits

Best,

Brahian Herrera | Forum Sales & Support
Email: [email protected] | Phone: (760) 560-2252 Ext 201

Brian, will you be at Overland Expo West in a couple of weeks?

 

[Baja Designs]

Brian, will you be at Overland Expo West in a couple of weeks?

Of Course! Feel free to stop by in person. Would be more than glad to answer any questions regarding our products, if you wish to get a light bar ordered can also take care of you at the show!

Best,

Brahian Herrera | Forum Sales & Support
Email: [email protected] | Phone: (760) 560-2252 Ext 201

 

[4x4TruckLEDs.com]

I am considering a light bar from Heretic Studio. They have stated that they suggest not using the upfitter switches as they have seen issues with dimming shorting from installs using them. Their bar draws 25amps I guess I'm wondering if this is a thing? Or are they being extra cautious. They charge about $50 for the harness sold separately. I'd really prefer to not have to run their harness. Anyone else run into similar issues with light bars you've installed on upfitter system?

There is absolutely no reason you cannot use your upfitter switches. That is what they are there for.

One thing I don't like about Heretic light bars is that they have exposed wire contacts on the back of their products. They have you attach a wire and screw it down to the exposed studs. That is not a good way to connect a wire to a light bar in the automotive world. That might be why they have issues because of their exposed (to the elements) contacts.

Other brands like Baja Designs, Diode Dynamics, Rigid Industries, KC HiLITES and more all have sealed wire connectors/plugs to their light bars, which is what the wire harness connects to. So it's weatherproof.

Maybe check out some of the other light bars. Our kits work with the upfitters and if you contact us we can help you find the right kit for your truck that works with your upfitters.

https://www.4x4truckleds.com/vehicle-specific/ford-bronco/2021-bronco/other-lights-accessories/

 

[Z because X was taken]

I have the KC light bar and used Aux switch 1. Have been thru several winters and a ton of rain and never had a leak or any issues. Lights up the trails beautifully and looks bad ass, ( my humble opionion)

 

[jclark]

There is absolutely no reason you cannot use your upfitter switches. That is what they are there for.

One thing I don't like about Heretic light bars is that they have exposed wire contacts on the back of their products. They have you attach a wire and screw it down to the exposed studs. That is not a good way to connect a wire to a light bar in the automotive world. That might be why they have issues because of their exposed (to the elements) contacts.

Other brands like Baja Designs, Diode Dynamics, Rigid Industries, KC HiLITES and more all have sealed wire connectors/plugs to their light bars, which is what the wire harness connects to. So it's weatherproof.

Maybe check out some of the other light bars. Our kits work with the upfitters and if you contact us we can help you find the right kit for your truck that works with your upfitters.

https://www.4x4truckleds.com/vehicle-specific/ford-bronco/2021-bronco/other-lights-accessories/

I ran Heretic on my Badlands for 2 years. Some of my lights were on less than one year and when I took off the lights to trade in the Bronco, I had corrosion starting on some of the contacts where the wiring connect to the back of the lights on these posts. The fixture themselves are well made, held up well to various conditions and performed great as far as lighting needs - but when I went to put lights on my new Bronco, I opted for Baja Designs to mitigate issues with the exposed wiring connections.

Over the course of the 2 years with the Badlands, I also received one lighting kit from Heretic where the wiring harness had connections that weren't completely crimped - to which they were great to work and provided replacements quickly (they pulled off the wiring harness when I was prepping items for the install). And I received one wiring "kit" that was missing the wiring harness - which they were also easy to work with and get addressed.

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