AUX Switch Amperage - Increase?

[SROC3]

So if I wanted to increase the amperage of any AUX switch...is it as simple as going to a hardware store and swapping out the fuse for a higher amperage rated one??

Ex......in the Engine Bay Fuse box:

F65

5

Upfitter Switch #6 Output

So just switch out "5" for a "25"?

I got a 20 inch light bar and I am going to use AUX 1 for now. but in the future if I get a rooftop one, I wanted to see what options I have.

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[DriveAllNight]

The better solution:


https://www.electronicshub.org/relay-wiring-diagram/

 

[cr117]

Short answer: No.

The wiring is not properly gauged for an increased amperage.

 

[SROC3]

Short answer: No.

The wiring is not properly gauged for an increased amperage.

RIGHT. I did see the wire for AUX 1 is Thicker! Well maybe when time comes I'l switch out AUX 1 (use for rooftop bar)....then AUX 2 (use for 20 inch bar).

 

[RagnarKon]

RIGHT. I did see the wire for AUX 1 is Thicker! Well maybe when time comes I'l switch out AUX 1 (use for rooftop bar)....then AUX 2 (use for 20 inch bar).

Depending on your lightbar you may not be able to use any of the switches directly, and you'll have to run a relay like @DriveAllNight mentioned.

The factory wiring is 1.5mm2 which is somewhere between a 16 and 15 AWG wire (not that 15 AWG really exists in the wild). That's only sufficient for maybe 15 amps at most, but I personally wouldn't go much above 10 amps.

Most lightbars are going to be closer to 20-25 amps.

 

[SROC3]

Depending on your lightbar you may not be able to use any of the switches directly, and you'll have to run a relay like @DriveAllNight mentioned.

The factory wiring is 1.5mm2 which is somewhere between a 16 and 15 AWG wire (not that 15 AWG really exists in the wild). That's only sufficient for maybe 15 amps at most, but I personally wouldn't go much above 10 amps.

Most lightbars are going to be closer to 20-25 amps.

Good to know This is the 20" bar i'll be using for AUX 1.
https://www.roughcountry.com/product/spectrum-20-inch-light-bar-80720

 

[Doc TOC]

I agree on the relay use.

I would add an inline fuse between the relay and light, close to the light. The most heat (resistance) is going to come from the light. [The actual flow of electrical current is from the negative connection to the positive connection.] If the light were to short while on the trail, it will protect your relay and battery.

 

[BigHoof]

Would definitely recommend a relay no matter which switch you use. A lot of lights come with them standard.

 

[CarbonSteel]

The better solution:


https://www.electronicshub.org/relay-wiring-diagram/

^^^ this is the answer ^^^

I ran two relays on my Wrangler to compensate for low amperage and small wires.

The only thing the switch needs to do is provide signal to the relay for it to close. You can then run a new wire with a higher amp fuse to power your device

 

[Dusty]

Has anybody tried to re-arrange the circuit order in the AUX switch panel? i.e. moving the 30-amp and 15-amp circuits to switch 5 and 6, rather than 1 & 2? I haven't had the switch panel apart to look at the back of the switches but it seems like it would be a simple matter of swapping wire pairs on the back of the switches. But knowing OEM stuff it's probably not that simple. I know the hero switches on the dash are operated by some unholy strain of black magic that it takes a shaman on peyote to understand.

I ask because I'm currently using switches 3 and 4 for the lockers, as they only need the 10-amp circuits. They'd be more handy in position 1 & 2.

 

[RagnarKon]

Has anybody tried to re-arrange the circuit order in the AUX switch panel? i.e. moving the 30-amp and 15-amp circuits to switch 5 and 6, rather than 1 & 2? I haven't had the switch panel apart to look at the back of the switches but it seems like it would be a simple matter of swapping wire pairs on the back of the switches. But knowing OEM stuff it's probably not that simple. I know the hero switches on the dash are operated by some unholy strain of black magic that it takes a shaman on peyote to understand.

I ask because I'm currently using switches 3 and 4 for the lockers, as they only need the 10-amp circuits. They'd be more handy in position 1 & 2.

Yup you can do that, just gotta cross-splice the wires (if that makes any sense). The overhead console switches control relays in the Battery Junction Box. So if you just rearrange the wires you can change which relays they are triggering.

Diagram below. Now that I'm looking at it, I think the diagram is actually laid out right to left. Aux 1 is Green/Blue and Aux 6 is Violet/Orange. But shouldn't be too hard to verify once you get into it.

 

[Bschurr]

Good to know This is the 20" bar i'll be using for AUX 1.
https://www.roughcountry.com/product/spectrum-20-inch-light-bar-80720

You are at 8.75 amps so you can use any of the Aux switchs for a light bar that draws 105 watts.

 

[Oldhippie]

It is crazy ford gives ya switches and wiring that do not have the capacity to power many devices we want/need to hook up…the prerun wires are almost useless because they are so small…end of rant…

 

[SROC3]

You are at 8.75 amps so you can use any of the Aux switchs for a light bar that draws 105 watts.

So even AUX #6 will work fine??

 

[Dover157]

I installed the Rough country MLC 6. Makes all 6 switches 30amp with double relay and fuse protection. Also makes installing and changing what’s on each switch a breeze.

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