AUX switchs

[gtwitch]

Pass along the name/brand of the rear lights that you are using Photos and where you got them, as I am putting some on but have not really found the ones that I really like yet.
gtwitch in wyoming

 

[AH64ID]

I’m going to use Rigid. They aren’t cheap, but I don’t want to cut holes in my bumper for cheap lights that won’t last.

 

[JohnM45]

I’m going to use Rigid. They aren’t cheap, but I don’t want to cut holes in my bumper for cheap lights that won’t last.

I've heard the brand "Armored" are competitive with Rigid, but a bit less expensive. I haven't fallen down that rabbit hole yet. I need to limit my research projects for the moment...too many irons in the fire right now.

 

[AH64ID]

I've heard the brand "Armored" are competitive with Rigid, but a bit less expensive. I haven't fallen down that rabbit hole yet. I need to limit my research projects for the moment...too many irons in the fire right now.

I know the feeling...

I've got a few things on the research list. Maybe I'll add those. I am hoping to have rear LED lights installed by October, as well as my air compressor, and winch solenoid.

 

[ram17]

I really like the aux switches on my Ram 5500. I'm using as follows:
1. Powers CB radio.
2. tied into truck/towbody backup lights
3. towbody spotlights 45° angle from bed
4. Reserved onboard continuous duty air compressor.
5. Reserved aux cameras, front and rear

It's nice these can be custom configured to normal open, normal closed, ignition, always hot, non locking push button.

Cheers, Ron

Wiedawg - I am interested in your onboard continuous duty air compressor. I take my 2017 CC 3500 with a slide in camper out on the beach and air down the tires to about 20-25 lbs so this might be an option for pumping them up when I come off the beach.

 

[Wiredawg]

Wiedawg - I am interested in your onboard continuous duty air compressor. I take my 2017 CC 3500 with a slide in camper out on the beach and air down the tires to about 20-25 lbs so this might be an option for pumping them up when I come off the beach.

Ram17,
I'm interested in it too. I purchased this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YC42RG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

But, I'm recovering from a surgery 12 weeks into limited mobility and Dr added another 8 weeks to it yesterday, SO haven't been able to install it yet. It has great ratings AND the kit looks really good. I may start installation that allows me to sit and lie down, but the standing part can't do it for a while.

Another thing I thought of while sitting in my 5500 while wife in with one of our dogs for annual check up is to buy brown label tape and mark below the switches.

Anyhoo, hope this helps.

Cheers, Ron

 

[gtwitch]

Back again to the AUX switches! I like the way RAM does this with the 5 switches and 5 relays to control the end use of tasks that we can take care of. I am putting a full replacement front bumper which will include fog/snow weather driving lights and my truck 2016 ST has the fog light plug wires on the left front at the corner of the grill and it is a plug like the AUX switches use under the hood but my truck does not have fog lights in the bumper and I am putting LED lamps in the new bumper. I can't find a pin out of the plug I have found under the left corner of the grill in front of the left fender well and I do not know where the switch is that turns the FOG lights on and off.
I am currently looking in the UP-FITTER manual but have not found the info yet.
gtwitch in wyoming

 

[gtwitch]

Ok, I found how to turn the Fog lights on ( just push on the headlight switch) and if head lights are on low or park lights are on) the fog lights will come on ("duh", in the owners manual), so now I have to get in the connector that goes to the front bumper (there are 4 or 6 wires in that connector), with my VOM and figure that out. That should not be hard, but, I wish I know what all of those wires are for!
gtwitch in wyoming

 

[WalterJ]

I'm quite pleased I found a used '18 with AUX switches, and nearly every option I wanted (of the 3 it didn't have I've added 2, and the 3rd, bed liner, goes in next month).

I plan to use mine for

1) Rear LED Lights..latching
2) Air Compressor
3) Winch Solenoid
4) Future Growth
5) Rear LED lights...momentary, for quick flashes to say thank you, or GOMA!

I'm going to wait and see how the fogs with hi's is before I do a front LED setup.

Awesome. I just sold my '04.5 with my own rack of Carling Aux. Switches, via Painless fuse/wiring module. Now I need some guidance to program these new aux switches on my new '18! Refer me to a video or ?? Thanks.

 

[WalterJ]

Ok, I found how to turn the Fog lights on ( just push on the headlight switch) and if head lights are on low or park lights are on) the fog lights will come on ("duh", in the owners manual), so now I have to get in the connector that goes to the front bumper (there are 4 or 6 wires in that connector), with my VOM and figure that out. That should not be hard, but, I wish I know what all of those wires are for!
gtwitch in wyoming

From what I've gleened from my new '18 info, you best be cautious or better informed re: alterations to OEM wiring, incl light circuits. The computer monitors circuit impedance for faults, etc. There are no fuses, but rather SS Relays imbedded into the computer, which "switches" off offending circuits that seem overloaded, etc. The "builders guide" does provide instructions for adding resistors to new LED replacement lights that were filament lamps. Good luck.

 

[AH64ID]

Awesome. I just sold my '04.5 with my own rack of Carling Aux. Switches, via Painless fuse/wiring module. Now I need some guidance to program these new aux switches on my new '18! Refer me to a video or ?? Thanks.

There are some video's with the builders guide. I haven't been able to install anything with them yet, but hoping to get my air compressor installed this weekend.

 

[WalterJ]

There are some video's with the builders guide. I haven't been able to install anything with them yet, but hoping to get my air compressor installed this weekend.

Me too. Transferring my Viar 100% duty cycle fr '04 to '18.

 

[AH64ID]

Me too. Transferring my Viar 100% duty cycle fr '04 to '18.

My ViAir 450C went with the 05 for the EB.

I now have a 400C. In all the years with the 450C I never needed the 100% duty cycle so I went with a faster pump this time.

 

[AH64ID]

Got my first aux switch wired up today.

I put a ViAir 400C on the under side of the bed and wired it to switch 3 with a 40A fuse. I ran 10ga THHN back to the pump since I had it. I could have gotten by with 12ga but the pump should be happier with 10ga.

Ram was nice and left a ground bolt for the fuel nozzle ground right by the pump, so I used that.

The only complaint I have with the aux switches is that Ram used 12ga. 10ga might have matched the 40A fuses better. Grated the 8” of 12ga won’t hurt anything with the continuous rating of 28A (both Ram and 400C so it matches ).

I still have the pressure switch to add, since I need a 1/4 to 1/8” reducing bushing but I bypassed the pressure switch to test it. All works as advertised.

 

[gsbrockman]

Got my first aux switch wired up today.

I put a ViAir 400C on the under side of the bed and wired it to switch 3 with a 40A fuse. I ran 10ga THHN back to the pump since I had it. I could have gotten by with 12ga but the pump should be happier with 10ga.

Ram was nice and left a ground bolt for the fuel nozzle ground right by the pump, so I used that.

The only complaint I have with the aux switches is that Ram used 12ga. 10ga might have matched the 40A fuses better. Grated the 8” of 12ga won’t hurt anything with the continuous rating of 28A (both Ram and 400C so it matches ).

I still have the pressure switch to add, since I need a 1/4 to 1/8” reducing bushing but I bypassed the pressure switch to test it. All works as advertised.

You do know that any of the fuses can be relocated to any AUX switch positions without any problems...just in case you’d rather not use it on #3?

 

[AH64ID]

You do know that any of the fuses can be relocated to any AUX switch positions without any problems...just in case you’d rather not use it on #3?

Yes, I actually had to move the 40A to #3.

It’s where I want it, 1 and 2 will follow. The air compressor is a higher priority than lights.

 

[WalterJ]

Just found this RAM Aux Switch video..so awesome eh.
http://www.ramtruckblog.com/video-ram-trucks-connecting-auxiliary-switches-and-upfitter-wiring/

 

[AH64ID]

I'm gathering the final parts for my 2nd AUX switch install, a winch solenoid for my multi-mount winch.

Ram has a high amp stud on the drivers battery, but I think I'm going to pull power off the crossover stud on the passenger side... I'll look at it closer this weekend thou. It's a shorter run to the winch from the passenger side, but the WARN cables are 7.5' long so I should be able to reach anywhere.

 

[WalterJ]

I'm recovering from surgery, so reserved means I'm going use them for these requirements.

From a schematic perspective, #4 will control voltage for a bigger relay for my air compressor. # 5 is going to power an aftermarket cargo camera and a frontal camera I'm mounting on my grill guard feeding to my Edge CST2 Monitor through an RCA A-B switch.

I have to check, but I think aux switches are fused at 20 amps.

I have to go back a document my schematics to keep the trucks configuration current and to verify my plan.

Cheers, Ron

Hey Wiredawg; Hope you'e all healed up for Xgiving.

I just wired my Aux LED Backup lights to SW#1, easy peezee using a local bolt for ground. Now I've mounted a Viair compressor & ready to run some 14/2 stranded. My question is: I'd rather use a "cleaner" ground than body bolts, etc., so is there a grd connection up front with the aux switches? Did you tie grounds back to the battery lugs? Thanks.

 

[Wiredawg]

Hey Wiredawg; Hope you'e all healed up for Xgiving.

I just wired my Aux LED Backup lights to SW#1, easy peezee using a local bolt for ground. Now I've mounted a Viair compressor & ready to run some 14/2 stranded. My question is: I'd rather use a "cleaner" ground than body bolts, etc., so is there a grd connection up front with the aux switches? Did you tie grounds back to the battery lugs? Thanks.View attachment 117104 View attachment 117105

Awsome lights! Nothing wrong with using a body fastener, common grounding point. Anything that draws current, like the compressor, pickup ground on one of the compressor mounting bracket bolts.

I'm repairing tir blowout damage and servicing brakes on my RV next week, so should be doing compressor on two weeks. Gonna mount an air pressure gauge in the cab and at the comptessor.

Send pics.

Cheers, Ron