[mattloon]

First off, Any and all help/opinions will be much appreciated and I thank you all in advance for your time and patience with me!!!

Thanks to Phil D over at Trail duty, I can now begin the sickness that will empty my pockets and have my girlfriend mad at me for spending money on the Jeep instead of her. I'm happy with my choices

I recently purchased some items and I'm pretty sure I bit off more than I can chew with an install/wiring of;
ARB High output onboard air compressor and mounting bracket
(just using this for tire inflation when coming off the beach/camping, not off-roading just yet)
KC HiLiTES SlimLite 130W Super White Long Range - (already have the windshield mounting brackets)
Daystar Lower Dash Switch Panel and 4 switches
Also want to mount my Mag light charger somewhere in the vehicle

(I bought 4 seperate switches for the Daystar panel. 1 is for the windshield mounted lights and 1 for the compressor. That leaves me with two empty slots for other things I still can't afford, lightbar and winch for when I actually start off-roading)

I have ZERO experience in wiring, have no concept of grounding or amps, but I'm not a complete idiot, so I got that going for me.

I've had some great tips so far thru PM but I'm hoping I can get some more info. I just recently heard of a product (Thanks "Gears", Justin!) that should be very helpful, he mounted it above the driverside footwell. CirKit Boss from painless performance.

So here's a few things, I am planning on doing all of this in a day or two(if that's even doable):

Safety tips? (disconnect battery first etc.)

Which item should I tackle first and how?

Anyone use the CirKit Boss?

I found a write-up (from the "other" site) that should help with the windshield mounted lights, but does the wiring of the other items affect that?

With all of these new electricty drawing items, do I NEED to upgrade my battery right now? (I explored the world of dual-batteries for a short time and thru some reading and tips figured an optima battery would be better)

Thank you all again. One day I'll be able to actually answer a question instead of just asking them

Matt

 

[idrivejeep]

I'm not an expert, so this is just my $0.02. You can take or leave it.

You stuff:
ARB High output onboard air compressor
KC HiLiTES SlimLite 130W
Daystar Lower Dash Switch Panel and 4 switches
Mag light charger

(I bought 4 separate switches for the Daystar panel. If the ARB and KC didn't come with them you also need relays. You don't want to run heavy power through a switch. There are tons of articles on-line on how to install relays, so I won't get into it here.

I have ZERO experience in wiring, but I'm not a complete idiot, so I got that going for me. No problem, at least your planning on trying to do it yourself, instead of simply using your checkbook. Everyone is a novice at some point.

So here's a few things, I am planning on doing all of this in a day or two(if that's even doable): You should have it all done in a day.

Safety tips? (disconnect battery first etc.) Be smart. You already figured out to disconnect the battery, next make sure when you run wires through metal openings that you have either rubber grommets or something to avoid chaffing the wires to avoid shorts.

Which item should I tackle first and how? Don't think it matters, it's up to you.

Anyone use the CirKit Boss? I like the sPod better.

I found a write-up (from the "other" site) that should help with the windshield mounted lights, but does the wiring of the other items affect that? Don't know which write-up your referring too, but if you follow the instructions that came with your KC's it shouldn't interfere with your ARB compressor.

With all of these new electricity drawing items, do I NEED to upgrade my battery right now? (I explored the world of dual-batteries for a short time and thru some reading and tips figured an optima battery would be better) Totally agree that the Optima is better, but you don't mention a winch install at this time. If funds are a problem, a battery upgrade can wait. Just make sure your engine is running so your alternator is on when your using your accessories, that way you don't have to worry about a dead battery not starting your Jeep. Also you'll notice that your compressor will run better with the engine on.

Thank you all again. One day I'll be able to actually answer a question instead of just asking them

 

[Jeep School]

I am sorry--I have nothing useful to add. I just have to say the title "Newbie First-time wiring" got my attention--they are some of the most frightening words in the English language...second only to "I'm from the government and I'm here to help."

Ok, I'm not sorry...

Let us know how it turns out!

 

[RubiCajun]

Congrats for doing it yourself...........:bounce::bounce:

 

[rob4607]

fuse all your hot wires no more than 6"s from the battery or the source.

the12volt . com will help you a ton. for your 12v supply to activate not feed the relay then to your lights or whatever use a switched source so when the key is off, the relay is not feeding your toys and your battery will not run down.

you don't have to ground at the battery but scraping the paint off the sheetmetal and using a self tapping screw and a ring terminal only last for short term. use a ground source that you can take a nut off and then ring terminals then tighten it up and no worries.

if you take yor wires and hold them at one end with say a bench vise or friend and the other end in a drill and twist em up it cleans it up a ton. you can also wrap with electrical tape at the same time.

solder and shrink tube is great, next is butt connectors, twist and tape is a joke.

if you get stuck pm me. I can walk you through all of it. im on my cell. it alerts me as soon as you send it.

I would recommend running 8 guage fused into the cab into a multple fuse block. that will clean the wiring up a ton. put the fuse block behind the swith panel.

 

[NorthGAX]

I think you are on the right track. I installed a Painless Circuit Boss as well for my CB and accessories (and it was my first time as well). I would say that a long day will get all of that installed. I had too much OCD and it took a couple of days.

I would suggest installing the circuit boss first and then adding the accessories.

 

[ductape1000]

Anyone use the CirKit Boss? I like the sPod better.

The sPOD is my choice also! I met John from sPOD last weekend at JK Summerfest, he is a great guy with a great product! It makes wiring anything really easy. Mine is in the mail, and I can't wait to rewire my stuff to it. I did my research also, and by the time you buy all the relays, switches and wire to do something simular, it's not that much more money!

Good Luck with your new addiction!
No Inteventions allowed here!

 

[jdrogers]

Anyone use the CirKit Boss?

I'm using one. Mounted it inside behind the lower panel under the steering wheel.

PS. I have since moved the speaker as it did not work out well there...

 

[ductape1000]

I'm using one. Mounted it inside behind the lower panel under the steering wheel.

PS. I have since moved the speaker as it did not work out well there...

others are asking about relays also. do you have a place that you are mounting relays for your heavier circuit needs?