1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

wiring backup light

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by HerNameIsLucy, Dec 4, 2008.

  1. Dec 4, 2008 at 7:06 PM
    #1
    HerNameIsLucy

    HerNameIsLucy [OP] I miss Lucy. :-(

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2008
    Member:
    #8256
    Messages:
    3,026
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Equador. Don't know why.
    Vehicle:
    RIP Lucy.
    She's gone but not forgotten.
    I picked up a pair of cheap chinese made driving lights for 10 bucks on sale at Harbor Freight. Want to mount one under the truck and use it as a backing-up light.

    It's a 55 watt bulb...so it draws roughly 4 amps.

    I'd like to just hook it up to the existing lead going to one of the truck's reverse lights. Think the truck wiring would handle another 4 amp load back there, or should I run 12V to the rear and through a relay using the truck wiring to just pull in the relay?

    I know the circuit is fuse protected but I still don't wanna take chances.
     
  2. Dec 4, 2008 at 7:13 PM
    #2
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

    Joined:
    May 8, 2008
    Member:
    #6497
    Messages:
    112,751,503
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    FlimFlubberJAM
    Tenoe, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2019 Rubicon 4 Door,
    4.10 gears, sliders, and lots of buttons.
    This is your best bet. :)
     
  3. Dec 4, 2008 at 7:14 PM
    #3
    HerNameIsLucy

    HerNameIsLucy [OP] I miss Lucy. :-(

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2008
    Member:
    #8256
    Messages:
    3,026
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Equador. Don't know why.
    Vehicle:
    RIP Lucy.
    She's gone but not forgotten.
    Thanks. I'm gonna end up building a relay box back there. I have some neon light tubes meant to go in a computer and I'm going to tuck them up under the bed side rails. May as well run a good size 12V line back there and then relay it out to where it needs to be.
     
  4. Dec 4, 2008 at 7:15 PM
    #4
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2008
    Member:
    #5246
    Messages:
    15,074
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kevin
    Wichita Falls, TX
    Vehicle:
    2011 taco, sport 4x4
    oil change...
    I wired mine into the existing reverse lights and have not had any problems. What is the main point/advantage to using a realy?
     
  5. Dec 4, 2008 at 7:15 PM
    #5
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

    Joined:
    May 8, 2008
    Member:
    #6497
    Messages:
    112,751,503
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    FlimFlubberJAM
    Tenoe, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2019 Rubicon 4 Door,
    4.10 gears, sliders, and lots of buttons.
    Post up some pics of the bed lights when your done! I have been wanting to do this for quite some time. :)
     
  6. Dec 4, 2008 at 7:17 PM
    #6
    HerNameIsLucy

    HerNameIsLucy [OP] I miss Lucy. :-(

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2008
    Member:
    #8256
    Messages:
    3,026
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Equador. Don't know why.
    Vehicle:
    RIP Lucy.
    She's gone but not forgotten.
    Will do. Going to try for a Sunday install day. Provided everything works out in the "personal" world.

    If I'm gonna relay the new backup lights I may as well put both of them under there yes?
     
  7. Dec 4, 2008 at 7:19 PM
    #7
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2008
    Member:
    #5246
    Messages:
    15,074
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kevin
    Wichita Falls, TX
    Vehicle:
    2011 taco, sport 4x4
    oil change...
    thanks, I guess I should go ahead and add one then
     
  8. Dec 4, 2008 at 7:19 PM
    #8
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

    Joined:
    May 8, 2008
    Member:
    #6497
    Messages:
    112,751,503
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    FlimFlubberJAM
    Tenoe, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2019 Rubicon 4 Door,
    4.10 gears, sliders, and lots of buttons.
    Oh hell yes! :D
     
  9. Dec 4, 2008 at 7:21 PM
    #9
    HerNameIsLucy

    HerNameIsLucy [OP] I miss Lucy. :-(

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2008
    Member:
    #8256
    Messages:
    3,026
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Equador. Don't know why.
    Vehicle:
    RIP Lucy.
    She's gone but not forgotten.
    110 watts of reverse lights not including the stock ones. My neighbor across the street is gonna LOVE me!
     
  10. Dec 4, 2008 at 7:38 PM
    #10
    HerNameIsLucy

    HerNameIsLucy [OP] I miss Lucy. :-(

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2008
    Member:
    #8256
    Messages:
    3,026
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Equador. Don't know why.
    Vehicle:
    RIP Lucy.
    She's gone but not forgotten.
    where did you find 100 watt bulbs that fit in that socket?

    is the lamp type in the 2nd gens the same as 1st gens?
     
  11. Dec 4, 2008 at 7:43 PM
    #11
    HerNameIsLucy

    HerNameIsLucy [OP] I miss Lucy. :-(

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2008
    Member:
    #8256
    Messages:
    3,026
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Equador. Don't know why.
    Vehicle:
    RIP Lucy.
    She's gone but not forgotten.
    oohhh...missed the "not the factory location" part.

    that looks good! hopefully I can find a decent mounting point for mine. peeked underneath today and don't see anywhere obvious. bottom of the bumper is wide open.
     
  12. Dec 4, 2008 at 7:50 PM
    #12
    HerNameIsLucy

    HerNameIsLucy [OP] I miss Lucy. :-(

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2008
    Member:
    #8256
    Messages:
    3,026
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Equador. Don't know why.
    Vehicle:
    RIP Lucy.
    She's gone but not forgotten.
    hmmm...these el-cheapo lights don't have mounts that can be rotated to the rear of them, they're kinda like off-road lamps with the mount in the bottom.

    so if i bolted a "L" bracket to the frame, then another one to that I'd end up with a "U" bracket. then i could rotate the lens on the lamps and run them upside down.

    definite possibility!
     
  13. Jan 22, 2009 at 3:41 PM
    #13
    08toyoamn

    08toyoamn Its For Sale. :(

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2008
    Member:
    #10942
    Messages:
    32
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Central, OR/ Tacoma WA.
    Vehicle:
    08 AccessCab, 4.0L, 6spd
    duel polished aluminum tips, 44 flowmaster, 15% tint all round, 3" TOYTEC-spacer/AAL, TRD true cold air, tinted tails, bumper mounted B/U's, 6k HID, Painted Grill -- on the way -- black billet grill
    question... should i wire the extra lights to the reverse sensor or to an independant switch ? and im not real savy on the topic, but i have some good help at the ready...
     
  14. Jan 22, 2009 at 4:29 PM
    #14
    HerNameIsLucy

    HerNameIsLucy [OP] I miss Lucy. :-(

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2008
    Member:
    #8256
    Messages:
    3,026
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Equador. Don't know why.
    Vehicle:
    RIP Lucy.
    She's gone but not forgotten.
    The ones I used are 55W, so they draw a tad more power than I wanted to pull through the backup light circuit. I used a relay tripped by the backup light circuit, fed off a 12GA fused wire I ran from the battery.
     
  15. Jan 22, 2009 at 4:45 PM
    #15
    CAdiveTaco

    CAdiveTaco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2008
    Member:
    #12076
    Messages:
    163
    Gender:
    Male
    Nor Cal
    Vehicle:
    2009 Taco DC LB Pre Runner TRD Sport
    Bed Extender, Bed matt, G4 Fold-a-cover, debadged, locked spare, taigate hoe clamp mod, TW stick
    Using a relay powered from a dedicated switch or the existing reverse light circuit and a dedicated power line to the new reverse lights will allow you to use a lower ampacity circuit to control a higher ampacity circuit...
     
  16. Jan 22, 2009 at 5:46 PM
    #16
    cam-shaft

    cam-shaft Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2008
    Member:
    #10433
    Messages:
    57
    Gender:
    Male
    Pacific Northwest
    Vehicle:
    DCTRDOFFRD
    APM system is how I wired up my back up lights and I have power for more accessories. Fully self contained accessory system, can run all kinds of accessories winch forward lights, and more. This system can even be powered up by a complete accessory battery. This system has a complete shut down system and marine grade resetable breakers and relays.

    click on slide show and show info to check out.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/cobemotorsports/sets/72157608067149624/

    Thanks, Cam-shaft.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top