Question about tapping into reverse lights

I purchased a set of 18 watt Cree LED lights. 1.5 amp each. I want to mount these to the bumper. It has red & black wires (+ & -)

Can I just tap into the reverse light wiring as shown in this picture.


I assume the red wire is positive, and the white wire is negative (ground). Is this correct??

Will it be as simple as that? Thanks for the help.

 

I tapped mine in behind the Trailer connector, and left my taillights alone.

 

Simple as that. I've done the same thing going on 2 years now with no issues. LEDs are a lot less amps than halogen lamps. Just make sure to water proof your connection the best you can, even water can still get up there behind the tail light.

 

Wow. Thanks for the quick replies. I wish I could tap into the trailer connector, but my truck didn't come with one. Had one installed, but it is only the 4 wire type.

 

I have wanted to do this so bad but didn't realize the process is as simple as just tapping into the reverse tail lights. So the factory wiring will handle the tail lights + led pods just fine?

 

factory reverse lights pull 3 amps or so and it's a 5 amp fuse IIRC. LED pods don't pull 1 amp for both. It will be fine.

 

The beauty of tapping into the reverse lights inside the tail light module is that the wire coming off the LED pods is just long enough to reach so you don't need any additional wiring. I mounted mine right behind the stock backup lights and off to the side of the tailgate. They are well protected there but up high enough to throw a large wide beam of light. The other advantage is that you never leave them on accidentally.

 

Awesome, thanks for the heads up. Any idea what the fuse rating is for the reverse light wires that are part of the towing package? I'm thinking I would rather tap into that for power instead of the actual tail lights.

 

I believe you'd be just fine tapping into the trailer harness as its meant to take the load.. It's there so you can backup lights on your trailer.

 

If you don't have the trailer plug OP, I would run a relay and use the reverse light wire as a trigger for the relay. If your new lights are 18 watts each, that's a 1.5 amp draw on each light. So if the factory lights draw 3 amps, and the new lights draw 3 amps (two lights), that's 6 amps of draw on a 5 amp fuse.
I'm not a 12v wiring expert at all, but that's what I would do if you just want them to come on when in reverse.

 

awesome. Do people complain about the brightness when you back up?

 

I would not bother with a relay for those lights. My LEDs are also 18 watt draw, and I have had them hooked up for a year plus and have not blown the fuse yet. I spliced right into factory back up light wires. It is nice to see when backing up at night, and I do not care if people complain about them being too bright. It is not like I am parked on the side of the road with them on and causing a driving hazard. I have them aimed low, so most of the light is down and to the sides.

 

My two Cree LED pods tapped into the backup light circuit have no relay or additional fuse and have worked flawlessly for over six months.

 

I personally wouldn't use a relay for a load under 15 amps .. 2 reverse LEDs shouldn't pull 5 amps.

Thanks for the clarification

 

Well I finally installed one of the lights on the back bumper, like Islander1089 did. Did the drivers side. Here is a picture showing the light output. It did take me some time, mainly just trying to get the nut underneath/inside the bumper. Not much room to tighten it up. I LOVE how much just one light puts out.

 

Have u had any issues with the placement? I've always wanted to do this but feel like Il break it off loading up shit in the back when camping or hauling stuff. Has it got in the way at all yet?

 

I do a lot of home remodeling work for other people so I'm always hauling tools or building supplies and have never even accidently bumped one of my lights. They are at the same level as the stock lights, are off to the side so the tailgate doesn't interfere with them when down and they throw off some serious light compared to stock.

 

I have all my windows tinted... So I'm dying for some light back there. I'm just worried I'm going to be jumping in and out back there and accidentally punt one of those suckers off. I load my raptor back there all the time as well as my camping stuff and step there all the time. Only one way to find out I guess

 

As you said, "Only one way to find out". Worst case scenario, you have two holes in the plastic bumper cap.

 

Does anyone have any other pictures of pods mounted in the rear? I'd love to see how and where they're bolted up. Thanks