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Oct 12, 2013 | 08:40 AM

2012 SD Snowbuster

Thread Starter

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Joined: Jan 2005

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From: Rochester, NY

Light questions

I have a 2012 F250 6.2 and want to add some led lights for better light while backing up, can I just tap into the reverse bulb wire on each side of the truck seeing as the leds don't draw much??

I don't really want to have them on a separate switch, I just want them to come on when I shift into reverse...

Thanks again

Oct 12, 2013 | 09:19 AM

crock

Cross-Country

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 75

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From: Mi

lights

Yes you can just tap into one side or the other for the reverse light. Make sure that the lights are waterproof or else they won't last long. I wire tied my lights to the hitch close to the receiver. Done this on all my trucks, works well......good luck

Bob

Oct 12, 2013 | 09:20 AM

madsonp

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From: Billings, Montana

Tapping into the reverse bulb should be no problem, you don't need to tap into each side, one side would work just fine. Here's a place that has a great selection of LED's http://www.superbrightleds.com

Oct 12, 2013 | 10:03 AM

2012 SD Snowbuster

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Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 125

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From: Rochester, NY

I'm thinking this is gonna work out like I was hoping, I can power both from one turn signal reverse bulb and just ground both to the hitch? What gauge wire??

Oct 12, 2013 | 10:20 AM

madsonp

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From: Billings, Montana

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99 SD Snowbuster

I'm thinking this is gonna work out like I was hoping, I can power both from one turn signal reverse bulb and just ground both to the hitch? What gauge wire??

Powering both off one reverse circuit should be no problem, and just ground both to a good chassis ground (the hitch should work fine). You can use this to determine the gauge you'll want. I'd say given the low draw of LED lights 18 gauge would be fine, a heavier gauge would probably stand up better to the elements though.

Oct 12, 2013 | 02:20 PM

scotttahoe

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From: North Lake Tahoe

I wouldn't tap into the reverse light wire just cause they are drawing power from the transmission switch. What I did and is also much safer on the electrical system is to tap into the 7 wire plug for the trailer. Look for theBlack/LtGreen wire and tap into that. They are working on a different circuit and will turn on when truck goes into reverse. they will also be brighter cause they are drawing less amps.

Oct 12, 2013 | 03:15 PM

madsonp

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Joined: Dec 2005

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From: Billings, Montana

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotttahoe

LED's like he's talking about using, use such little power that tapping into the reverse light circuit wouldn't cause any problems. the amperage draw for LED's are generally less than 1 amp usually in the milliamp range, a milliamp for example is one one-thousandth of an amp. In this range there's not enough draw on the circuit to harm anything or cause them to be any less brighter. Besides that the reverse signal where ever you tap into it all comes from the same place.