Seems in my older age that I'm having a hard time seeing behind at night. Anybody tap the wire for the reverse lights adding an aftermarket light back there or some other way you went?

LED lights are cheap and should be pretty easy to do, any input would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Easy job,just don't use a wire clip.Tap wire to back up light and run to new lights. I use hose clamps to attach lights to hitch tube and aim outward some.You can also run a switched hot wire back to the lights and use at night for loading or setting up camp.

 

I know LivingLarge added some to his vehicle and Evan also, IIRC. Not sure how they triggered them, but it should be relatively easy to do from that circuit with a relay.

 

You can also pull a relay controlled power source
from the 7-pin trailer connector.



Sean

6.0L Tech Folder

 

Depends on the amount of load you will be drawing. A couple of low watt lights may not be a problem.
However in the fleet we had to add backup alarms and found it was better to use the backup lights as a trigger to a relay powered from a heavier source. The alarms drew so much power more than the light circuit was designed for. Constantly blowing fuses.

 

On my previous excursion, I had piaa's wired to a 3 pos switch... 1 wire comes from the reverse light wire behind the actual light.

On my current setup, I have it wired to an on/off switch not tapping off my reverse. I really don't have a need to blind people every time I hit reverse. Lol my rigids are very bright.

 

I like the idea of not blinding everybody... Just need a little light now and then, switched for unloading the bed or backing out in the early morning... cool pic!

 

Twelve years ago I put a relay behind the driver's tail light. The main power comes from the trailer wiring, the trigger from the harness for the OE bulb, then the relay grounding wire follows the rail into the cabin, switched and grounded there. The lights bolt into the trailer hitch tubing where it extends just a little past the mount plate so the hole is not in a load stressed area.

 

Jack,
Your saying that the light works when triggered by the reverse light and then only when allowed by the switch, correct?

 

Correct , Randy.

Instead of switching the power lug of the relay I switch the ground of the relay on or off. You could switch the coil power side as normally done, but this way I didn't have to tap into any 12v power in the cab.

I can have my aux backup light work when backing up or not. I can not turn those on driving forward (ticketed if so in NJ) and when NJ had a full range vehicle inspection program if they worked all the time in reverse I would not have passed. Per SAE and Federal Regulations you cannot exceed a certain lumens. Some inspectors did not even allow them to be there unlit so you would have to discuss the matter.

 

I did mine so the extra reverse lights come on at night, or by switch. Mounted the relay in the tailight area.


LED reverse/work light install - Page 6 - Ford Powerstroke Diesel Forum

pictures:

LED reverse/work light install - Page 6 - Ford Powerstroke Diesel Forum

Plus, I mounted the lights with 60lb magnets with retractable cord so I can move them around to side of truck if I need light for changing a tire or something.

 

Some very good installs... shows the quality of people here by the answers you get on a daily basis... great replies!

Thanks fellas!

 

I have 4 - 4" square LEDs wired to just an on/off switch for the last 2 years...been great. I have been meaning to get an on/off/on switch so i can have them on with reverse lights as well. Im sure theyd be fine on the reverse light circuit, but probably going to use a relay since its easy enough

 

What's wrong with just leaving them on a switch. You may want to stop one forum down if you are going to over complicate it

 

Lol

Because half the time I don't even use them cause I put the switch in a somewhat inconvenient spot to avoid drilling in my dash