Wiring IR lights... appropriate way to do so?

[CanonNinja]

Got my IR lights mounted on the bumper, and want to get them wired in for some night time fun. The idea that I had was tap into the power for the blackout light, ran to a 24v relay for each IR lamp. I'm still not sure where I want to catch my constant power or what fuse rating to use for the lamps. Would this be appropriate for the application? Also, I haven't opened the lamps up yet, but looking at the back of the lamps at the packard connectors, which is power and which is ground? It's a side-by-side connection, both the same size plug

 

[CARNAC]

Both are hot. The ground is through the mounting post. There is both a high and low beam but the military for IR purposes make both wires have juice but it isn't really necessary. I've used civie PVS-7D goggles and had excellent results on low beam.

 

[CanonNinja]

awesome. That's actually what I have, and wanted to play on some property at night coming up once it gets a little cooler.


which is the low beam?

 

[avengeusa]

i think the low beam is wired to the left terminal facing the rear of the light assy, i can check later for you

 

[mistaken1]

I tapped the 24VDC positive battery post and installed an inline, 30A, water resistant fuse holder with a standard two pin 30A automotive fuse. I ran the power to a 20A single-pole, double-throw, center off switch that I mounted in an existing hole on the dash. I ran two switch legs to the lights and arranged the switch so that up is high and down is low.

I am planning on installing some sort of LED indicator light in the cab to let me know when the lights are on and at what setting (right now I just use the switch position).