Temporary Roof Light Wiring Harness Help, Please! (1 Viewer)

[Lugboot]

This is kind of last minute, and I hope this is the right section to ask this.

We are getting to run support for a friend of ours that is competing solo in Race Across the West (RAW), a part of Race Across America (RAAM). She's riding 1036 miles solo from Oceanside, CA to Taos, NM. We're following her in a support vehicle, a full-size, extended body Ford van. We have to have two amber flashing lights on the rear corners of the van roof.

She ordered these lights.

They plug into cigarette lighters.

What would I have to do to make a harness to run from the battery to the rear of the van, with a kill switch integrated into it that can be flipped from the driver's or passenger's seat? It would also have to be fused. It would terminate in two 12v cigarette lighter type power outlets.

Could someone spec the wire gauge and fuse size and switch for me?

We're flying into Denver on Wednesday to meet her and get the van. We're then driving to Cali Thursday and Friday. Van inspection on Saturday and the race starts Sunday. We need the lighting system to work for the van inspection.

Yeah, and I don't think I'll be flying with any wiring tools.

Can anyone help me out?

Thanks in advance!

Brett

 

[Koffer]

Hello Brett

what year van and what trim pkg ?
Ford put alot of spare wires in the newer E vans for adding such things

 

[Lugboot]

Wow, thanks!

It's the new body style so either a 2007 or 2008 extended Cargo van with buckets in the front, a second row bench, and then lots of empty space.

Here's pics of the interior of the back and a shot of van graphics proof for reference.

 

[Lugboot]

Van info

2008 5-passenger E250 extended length Cargo Van(Crew Van)

Got it confirmed.

 

[evldave]

For simpliciy, I would suggest getting a 12ft cigarette lighter extension cord, a 2 way splitter, and then plug/unplug from the front cig lighter - that way you aren't messing with switches, fuses, etc. When you want the lights on, plug it in, when you want them off, unplug it. Not that elaborate, but works just fine & you can pick up the extension cord & splitter at any radio shack (or here). The 12V plug will already be fused, and the length of the run & draw from the 2 lights shouldn't be enough to worry about overcurrent (imo)

Plus if this is a rental, tapping into the factory wiring might be frowned upon

 

[Koffer]

Im going to go with this also as the quickest /easiest way .

The power port on the dash should handle the 2 lights without a problem but there is 2 so you can do one in eash as they are fused each by themselfs.

For simpliciy, I would suggest getting a 12ft cigarette lighter extension cord, a 2 way splitter, and then plug/unplug from the front cig lighter - that way you aren't messing with switches, fuses, etc. When you want the lights on, plug it in, when you want them off, unplug it. Not that elaborate, but works just fine & you can pick up the extension cord & splitter at any radio shack (or here). The 12V plug will already be fused, and the length of the run & draw from the 2 lights shouldn't be enough to worry about overcurrent (imo)

Plus if this is a rental, tapping into the factory wiring might be frowned upon

 

[Lugboot]

Thanks, guys. I'm hoping the van has at least 2 power ports. It looks like it might based on the pics from the Ford site. Besides the lights, we need to be able to run power for GPS, iPod, phones, etc.

The lights need to be on whenever we're following our racer--so, most of the time!

I'll try going with the splitter and extension cords for the simplest method.

 

[latinoguy]

get a 4 port (4 holes) adapter that plugs into the cig liter. That will give you the extra plug ins you need to power the GPS...and other small draw electronics without taxing the power draw...

 

[alia176]

and one more thing that may come in handy is a simple magnetic work lamp that plugs into a cig lighter. With this, you can mount the light anywhere and then shine up the area behind the van for dark time bike work, picnic, etc..

Something like this

Peterson Manufacturing Magnetic Mount Flood Light — 12 Volt | Work Lights | Northern Tool + Equipment