Putco Excalibur light bar - DON'T BUY???

[Buyer2021]

@kamdigital, That switch isn't going to do what I want it to do. I should have realized this. I'm returning the switch.

Here's a similar remote switch that can operate as normally open or normally closed momentary contact

Again, just for your consideration, have fun1

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[oneinch]

@Buyer2021 , your 5 pin wiring instructions is spot on. The downside is that I need to run wires inside the cab. Your wireless 5 pin relay suggestion solves this problem. I'm ordering this and soldiering on. Thank you.

 

[oneinch]

@Buyer2021 @kamdigital , the suggested wireless relay does work. Being the electrical genius that I am (NOT), I had a devil of a time wiring it to operate a test light. I did succeed though.

A problem with the relay is that it only accepts small wires. I can work around this, but I'm going to have to find a small enclosure for all the wire connections.



I'll post a follow up after I actually hook up the light bar. It won't be pretty, but it should be functional.

 

[kamdigital]

@Buyer2021 @kamdigital , the suggested wireless relay does work. Being the electrical genius that I am (NOT), I had a devil of a time wiring it to operate a test light. I did succeed though.

A problem with the relay is that it only accepts small wires. I can work around this, but I'm going to have to find a small enclosure for all the wire connections.



I'll post a follow up after I actually hook up the light bar. It won't be pretty, but it should be functional.

@oneinch great thanks for the follow up, glad to hear that new connection works!

 

[oneinch]

@kamdigital @Buyer2021 , the relay is wired in and programmed as a momentary remote/switch. A test in the driveway shows it works.

A nighttime confirmation test is required still. In the meantime the wiring is coiled up on top on the fuse box. It's a bit of a rats nest as I haven't trimmed the light harness to size. That'll come later after a thorough time test has proven this setup works as I want it to work.

 

[kamdigital]

@kamdigital @Buyer2021 , the relay is wired in and programmed as a momentary remote/switch. A test in the driveway shows it works.

A nighttime confirmation test is required still. In the meantime the wiring is coiled up on top on the fuse box. It's a bit of a rats nest as I haven't trimmed the light harness to size. That'll come later after a thorough time test has proven this setup works as I want it to work.

Awesome, so just to confirm the relay just needs to be “spliced” into the pink ACC wire? I’m trying to get a visual from your 2nd image. (Great YT videos by the way)

 

[Buyer2021]

A late thought .... use an inexpensive standard relay as previously described with the coil powered by the truck's backup light feed to open / shut-off the offending light feed when reverse gear is engaged.

No messing with loose remote w/battery (or interior mod if you plan to 'fix' it somewhere), no lengthy wiring (stash the relay in / near a taillight cavity), fully automatic operation.

On my 2022 Lariat with LED taillights the backup light feed is pin #4 on either / both of the taillight connectors - may be different on your 2024 Raptor.

EDIT to add schematic

 

[oneinch]

Awesome, so just to confirm the relay just needs to be “spliced” into the pink ACC wire? I’m trying to get a visual from your 2nd image. (Great YT videos by the way)

The only wires I touched installing this relay were the (+) and (-) going to the battery. That's it. Nothing else.

This is my wiring schematic. This is using the aforementioned wireless relay. The "blue box" is only shown for orientation reasons.

 

[oneinch]

...fully automatic operation...

Man, you're digging me a rabbit hole. You're right about this. Fortunately there is a reverse light wire in the light bar's harness that is easily accessed and intercepted. I can see where my switch could be fully automated. But...there's always a but it seems. I don't want the light bar turned off in all situations; like in daylight hours. The light bar's "critical design trade-off" is only a problem at night and in areas of little to no ambient light. Otherwise I want the light bar on because it does IMO increase my visibility to others around me.

I have thought about a change to my wiring schematic. Right now I have my relay wired hot. I'm using momentary switching so I don't have to remember to turn the light back on. I might rewire the relay to a keyed hot wire. The advantage of this would be I could use toggle switching. I wouldn't have to hold down a button. I will usually be backing into a parking space when I have to cut out the light. Since the relay is wired NC, the relay should always reset itself to NC every key cycle. So even if I toggle the light bar off and forget to turn it back on. When I restart the vehicle the relay should reset turning the light bar back on.

Right now I'm in lazy mode. I've got it working and I just want to sit back and relax.

 

[Buyer2021]

I don't want the light bar turned off in all situations; like in daylight hours.

Got it (now)

All that matters is what makes you happy!

 

[oneinch]

I tested my switch at night and in a well lit parking lot. See for yourself. IMO this light bar has a critical design trade-off.

The light bar does make your truck more visible to others. It adds more lights to the turn signals and brakes. It adds attention grabbing effects to them. The backup lights are enhanced with more and brighter lights. This is great for making your truck more visible to others.

The trade-off is that it ruins what you see from the driver's seat in your rear view camera. The light bar blinds the camera.

Should you buy this light bar? I have installed a semi correcting solution. So on one hand I say sure, go ahead and install one. I not endorsing this light bar by any means. If you can live with the trade-off or have the gumption to shell out more money and install a semi correcting solution, then sure, go ahead and install this light. I think that at least 50% of people wanting this light won't want to do what I did. If you're in this 50% (or more) then you should not buy this light bar. It's an expensive light bar with a critical design trade-off you will not like.

 

[Buyer2021]

I tested my switch at night and in a well lit parking lot. See for yourself.

Compelling video demonstration. Well done!

 

[kamdigital]

The only wires I touched installing this relay were the (+) and (-) going to the battery. That's it. Nothing else.

This is my wiring schematic. This is using the aforementioned wireless relay. The "blue box" is only shown for orientation reasons.

Much appreciated, @oneinch I’m going to wire mine up in the next couple of days using this schematic.

 

[oneinch]

@kamdigital , I programmed my remote to be momentary. I used a command strip to adhere the remote on my console lid, right behind the shifter. Super easy to press and hold while reversing.

It isn't the best looking accessory in the cab, but at least it's in a spot I can not see it from the driver's seat.

 

[kamdigital]

Awesome, so just to confirm the relay just needs to be “spliced” into the pink ACC wire? I’m trying to get a visual from your 2nd image. (Great YT videos by the way)

@oneinch my relay should arrive from Amazon tomorrow, did this section come with it or did you have to order it separately? I’m trying to confirm the wiring orientation and make sure it’s just like yours based on the schema you shared.

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