Reverse Light On/Auto Switch

I have a set of auxiliary reverse lights installed on my 2020 tacoma. They're currently wired directly to the existing reverse lights and only come on when truck is in reverse.

I want to have a switch where i can turn them on manually without being in reverse, but also have them turn on automatically when in reverse.

Anyone able to help out with what switch and wiring i need to make it work? Preferably would like an OEM style switch that fits in one of the small blanks.

Thanks!

 

This looks like you just have 87a connected to 30. I feel like I’m missing something. Can either of you shed some light? I’m looking for the same setup.

 

Re-read what the OP wanted. (Light On/Auto switch) 87a & 30 added lamp on WITH reverse. Fused power from switch provides ON via relay with vehicle in reverse.

 

Sorry, Caribe I’m still confused. Totally new to relays and switches. I’ve pulled off bed lights and footwells somehow though.

 

Added light gets fused power from tap to vehicle reverse circuit wire. This tap gets connected to an added relay. It's a 5 pin relay. 30 would be common towards added light. 87a & 30 are NC (normally closed), this would make the added light illuminate in parallel to reverse circuit.
When vehicle is NOT in reverse, a fused source via a switch would actuate the relay to change the source to the added lights away from the reverse circuit of the vehicle. 86 & 87 get fused power. 86 is the coil that changes the internal connection from 87a to 87 so 30 sends power to added light. 85 is the coil ground.

 

Another iteration:
Tapping towing circuit (battery charging) and having cab switch select ground to close coil and have added lights ON without selecting reverse.

 

Another one I prefer is:
Parallel to reverse circuit (towing) and have the tail circuit activate the added lights via an added relay, no switch in cab.

 

Thanks for the explanation!

 

Where are you tapping the reverse light?

 

While this indeed will get the job done, it just seems like the long way to me. It definitely isn’t wrong.

I wire mine up this way

Bosch style 5 pin relay
85 to ground
30 fused power from battery/whatever source.
87 to added lights
86 gets two wires into it, both have diodes, one from reverse trigger wire, one from the switch. Technically, the diode on the switch wire isn’t needed, and not installing one will illuminate the switch as well, which could be desirable.

 

So what kind of diode should I use, spec wise? I understand the principle but I’ve never used a diode before.

 

This is what you have (sort of):

 

Simple/cheap switch at cab panel to actuate since it feeds the coil side of relay. (in case many lights are added later) and only available AFTER tail circuit is actuated. (towing tail has 30 amp fuse.)