Wires onto the roof whatfer getting electrocity up there

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
04/27/2016 at 22:18 • Filed to: None

How do I get wires that can handle 15 amps to my roof without drilling? Any suggestions? I think im getting a light bar that will go on up there when a light bar makes sense (off road trips) and come off when it doesn’t (all other times) and I need to figure out a way to wire it. Any tips?

DISCUSSION (22)

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > HammerheadFistpunch
04/27/2016 at 22:25

Zip tie a battery to the roof rack.

Slant6 > HammerheadFistpunch
04/27/2016 at 22:26

While I do respect that you won’t have it on when you don’t need it I still think light bars are atrocious. Maybe get an old police spot light? That you can shine where you want from in the cab, not the pillar light, it’s like a good flashlight that you plug into the cigarette lighter.

Or maybe have a magnetic mount for the light bar and have the window open when you use it.

HammerheadFistpunch > Slant6
04/27/2016 at 22:29

I agree they are atrocious...but...having recently been on a trip with one they are pretty great when its the appropriate time and place.

slipperysallylikespenguins > Slant6
04/27/2016 at 22:30

Lightbars are atrocious on the street. Used off road where you can’t blind someone, they are incredibly useful. A spotlight is useless when you are actually moving.

Slant6 > HammerheadFistpunch
04/27/2016 at 22:34

Oh yeah, for sure. My brotruck friend (he’s cool) has a few and they light up Cookout (a chain restaurant here in the South) better that the street lights.

But the magnetic one could work for your purposes. Like couldn’t you keep the window cracked open when you’re offroad?

slipperysallylikespenguins > HammerheadFistpunch
04/27/2016 at 22:36

You could maybe run some wire up from the back corner of the hood(not sure what your panel gaps are like) or even out by the wipers and then secure them up your a pillar with small adhesive clips. You can find them at walmart. I’m assuming you are looking at using is at low speeds so it could work.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > HammerheadFistpunch
04/27/2016 at 22:36

Probably run the wiring from the back along the roof would be your best bet. Will need more wire but you won’t have to drill anything at least.

HammerheadFistpunch > Slant6
04/27/2016 at 22:37

well it doesn’t hurt that im getting it for free...

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > HammerheadFistpunch
04/27/2016 at 22:38

Add snorkel. Run wires through snorkel. Or duct tape them to the panels like manufacturer test car style.

Wait, were you looking for good ideas? I don't have any of those.

HammerheadFistpunch > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/27/2016 at 22:39

Thats a good idea. I don’t mind running a little extra wire. I will take a look tonight to see there I could hide it.

HammerheadFistpunch > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
04/27/2016 at 22:41

Hey, no worries. If I only wanted good ideas, I wouldn’t have asked on oppo.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > HammerheadFistpunch
04/27/2016 at 22:42

I’m sure if you pull it tight enough you can at least obscure it in the rain gutter.

Slant6 > HammerheadFistpunch
04/27/2016 at 22:43

That’s great. I don’t think they actually make the magnetic one I’m referring too. I was saying make a mount, with like the magnets they use for antennas (which are actually pretty horrible from a Ham standpoint). It’d be easy to remove and no holes.

Big Bubba Ray > HammerheadFistpunch
04/27/2016 at 22:46

Why do you want to take the light bar off when you’re not offroad? If any car could legitimately pull it off, it’s your Cruiser! It wouldn’t be like all the bro’d out Jeeps that have them for no reason.

Tekamul > HammerheadFistpunch
04/27/2016 at 22:51

Inductive coupling plates in the corner of the glass. You probably won’t find 15amps commercially available, so buy an inductive cook top and get crafty.

JGrabowMSt > HammerheadFistpunch
04/27/2016 at 22:54

Use 14-2 Direct Burial wire and solder/shrink wrap the connections. It may be easier to find 14-4 and either pair the wires or just use 2. Direct burial is rated for outdoor use, and as described by the name, be buried directly with no conduit.

Through a snorkel would keep it clean, so would sending it out near a brake light or plate light and tucking it along a panel gap like the trunk up to the roof. I wouldnt really consider any other method.

Danger > HammerheadFistpunch
04/27/2016 at 23:48

I usually shoot for the weather stripping in the door, then up

The Snowman > HammerheadFistpunch
04/27/2016 at 23:59

Just crack the window and run it straight from the cig lighter.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > HammerheadFistpunch
04/28/2016 at 00:43

not sure how to do it without running a line outside, ziptied to the b-pillar.

If you do drill, you

Kinja'd!!!

Could a trailer plug be used. mount the receiver on the roof, epoxy around to seal and then plug the lights in?

vicali > HammerheadFistpunch
04/28/2016 at 01:04

I would be looking at getting it under the window trim, some of the new Prinsu guys were running covered wires up the edge of the windshield.. Not my cup.

Other idea is to talk to a radio shop- my brother worked comms for awhile doing installs on brand new rigs - he said the first couple nmo holes were the worst.. After that he wouldn't fool around. You can always get a plug for it when you are done.

Frank Grimes > HammerheadFistpunch
04/28/2016 at 03:21

get a huge can of that defroster repair paint and paint big lines up to the roof and solder the light bar to the new traces.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > HammerheadFistpunch
04/28/2016 at 03:35

Back when I used to do a lot of light installs on Rovers I would run the wires behind a door seal; cut out a small notch in the pinch weld the seals mount on, route wire through, apply sealant, reinstall seal. Or run the wires out through the factory roof rack holes. Depending on the setup and customer’s preference.