Wiring extra reverse lights to switch and preexisting lights

I will use this. Nice work.

 

hmm

 

Wow! this is a great thread!!! I was looking for something like this cause Im gettin a new rear bumper and will include extra reverse lights!

Thanks!!!!

 

Is this true for all lights/LEDs? I just installed some LEDs in the interior and spliced all the positive and ground together

 

All positives together and all grounds to ground is fine. You just don't want positive to negative to positive to negative. That's series and you want parallel, which is what he's describing.

 

Ohh, alright, yeah, then j understand you'd lose voltage

 

Great info here. Have been trying to work out this setup for a while now. I like the idea of using the DPST switch but would much rather stick with SPST.

- switch off, aux lights auto on with reverse
- switch on, aux lights manual override on

Can someone please confirm...

30 - fused 12V from battery (aux block)
85 - ground
86 - 12V load from switch (w/ diode)
- 12V load from reverse circuit (w/ diode)
87 - 12V supply to aux lights

 

Look at post 34, I couldn't quote it from my phone for some reason

 

now that i reread the thread, i think the diagram from post 22 is what i need.

 

sub'd

 

There is an alternative that was overlooked. Since the LED lights have a relatively low current draw, they could be switched on and off with just a SPST toggle switch without needing a relay to control them. Add this in parallel with a relay that would be controlled by the reverse light circuit and now you have the new reverse light circuit and the original reverse light circuit electrically isolated from each other while being able to control the new lights with either the reverse circuit or with a switch.

I don't have this drawn out here but it is fairly simple.

The important thing to remember is the switch has to be rated high enough to switch whatever amperage the new lights draw. If the draw is low enough, you shouldn't need the switch to control a relay. You can power the lights directly from the switch.

 

Sorry for reviving an old thread, but I have some questions.

I'm looking to run LED lights, so not a ton of power. Can I run a 12v right from the battery to a relay, and tap into the positive wire that goes to the positive on the tail light, and run that to the relay, then ground the relay? I don't know which pole to go on each but I don't care to turn the lights on with a switch too, I just want them to come on when I shift into reverse.

 

Sub'd

 

I purchased and 3 position switch Always On- Off -Manual On . Does anyone know why my LED on the switch would alway be illuminated in the off position?

 

You likely have power running to it that lights the internal switch LED. Do you not want to see the switch in the dark???

 

will it drain my battery this way? I just thought that was the point of the 3 positions? 1 For automatic lights when it gets thrown into reverse with the LED illuminate, 2 the Off position nothing illuminated 3 Manual on when you need lights without putting into reverse LED illuminated.

 

If the switch light is always on, yes. You should run the wire to a circuit that runs off the headlights so it only illuminates when the lights are on.

 

I guess i am missing something. Here is the wiring diagram the vendor gave me? I guess my questions is could i have tapped something other than the brake light? I tapped into the Red 12 V wire in the rear where the reverse bulb is located. Could that be supply constant current? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Well, I do believe the diagram is wrong...

87 and 87a in the relay are outputs (to the lights or accesories you want to power)... 86 must be input power from the switch, 30 is the fused input from the battery...

I don't know how is the interior of the switch, but if you don't want the light to turn on at allo, you just disconnect #7 of the switch

 

here is a picture of the relay
Pin 1 to Power connected to switched relay at 87
Pin 2 connected to switched relay at 86
Pin 3 connected to reverse light
pin 7 grounded to truck

not sure if that help. Just seems weird that the lights turn on and off when supposed to, but the bottom LED is alway illuminated in any position the switch is in.