WHEN USING A SWITCH PANNEL ARE BOSH RELAY STILL NEEDED

[Hobkvet]

I have an 8-gang switch panel and want to install my lights, winch ,ham radio and other things. Do these things still need a bosh type relay in conjunction with the aux panel- I assumed that panel WAS the relay

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[Hobkvet]

It's 60 AMPS total

 

[Buyer2021]

If 60A total that suggests that each switch is rated to handle no more than ~7.5A (60/8=7.5), therefore a relay would be required to switch more than that current on any given switch.

IIRC the OE upfitter switches, on trucks equipped with them as OE, are wired through a separate relay panel to accommodate switching of higher-current loads. That separate relay panel, with the connectors to aux devices for use by the customer, is located under the hood remote from the switches.

 

[Hobkvet]

Yeah one is 20amps and below that so ok I'll add the relays, they don't tell you that in the videos-thanks

 

[Hobkvet]

I may have to reconsider this panel deal after all

 

[Buyer2021]

they don't tell you that in the videos

What videos (link)?

Are you trying to add Ford Upfitter Switches to a truck that didn't have them as OE, or add an aftermarket non-Ford switch panel?

If the former, use forum search for "Upfitter Switches" to find several threads on the topic.

 

[Hobkvet]

This is an aftermarket switch panel- like the AUXBEAM 6 gang switch
6 Gang Switch Panel | Off Road Light Controller

The videos I'm referring to are just basically install of the panel

 

[Eighthtry]

Use relays on all switches. Some apps may not require it, but safe is a hell of a lot better option. Your biggest problem is finding a power source that will handle all of that load. You may need to tap into the battery to get enough.

I would be interested to hear opinions on where one might tap without otherwise overloading the source.

 

[Zedbra]

This is an aftermarket switch panel- like the AUXBEAM 6 gang switch
6 Gang Switch Panel | Off Road Light Controller

The videos I'm referring to are just basically install of the panel

I have that same Auzbeam switch panel. Each switch already has a relay in the control box - shows you that on the product description pics from the link you supplied.

 

[roadPilot]

Yeah one is 20amps and below that so ok I'll add the relays, they don't tell you that in the videos-thanks

No! Do not add external relays if using this Auxbeam panel.

You don't need external relays -- that's the entire point of using one of these panels versus a bunch of standard ON/OFF switches and relays (e.g, a 5-blade 12V relay Bosch style relay).

We put these Auxbeams (8-gang) in all our SXS's for all the lights, radios, fans, winch relays, and other gadgets.

The Auxbeam panels have integrated relays - one for each button. With that, each button is rated for up to a specific amount of amperage (see image below).

When you install and run devices:

1. Use the higher rated positions for your devices that pull more amps (e.g, light bar) and the lower rated circuits for things that don't pull as much (e.g., LEDs, radio, etc.).

2. The panel is rated for a total of 60 amps. That means you can run as many of the devices you have connected at the same time as long as the total draw of everything being on/used at the same time doesn't exceed 60A.*

* - On point #2: Don't confuse what each circuit is rated for with how much amperage the devices connected to them are drawing. If your light bar is on #1 and it draws 12 amps, another light is on #2 and it pulls 10 amps, and your radio is on #3 and it's only pulling 5 amps, then running all three at the same time is only drawing 27 amps, not 70 amps.

To determine amperage draw, use a multimeter. Make sure it's set/configured to measure amperage AND you use it properly (inline between the + terminal and the device being power, not across polarity like you do checking voltage).

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