reverse projector lights
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reverse projector lights
I have a RECON reverse projector light kit i bought a few years ago and never installed. I want it to activate when the reverse lights are on (not by manual switch). One white & one black wire come out of them. Can i just ground the black one to the body/frame and tap the white one into the power wire on each reverse light that runs into the factory bulb socket? I want those projector lights and the factory reverse lights to be on at the same time. Will doing it this way work? Will it overload the factory wiring/capabilities and short anything or cause the factory lights not to work? Can the factory wires handle whatever extra load these lights put on them? Any help is appreciated.
2004 F250 CC 4X4 Lariat 6.0
2004 F250 CC 4X4 Lariat 6.0
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Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Jersey Shore
That depends on how much current they draw. Does it show watts or amps? You are limited by the factory wire size so just throwing a larger fuse in the panel doesn't cut it.
The grounding part is easy and won't matter. The other option for power is to tap into the reverse light wire from the larger trailer tow wiring. I have back up lights on my trailer and they connect to that power source. Doing this you would not have to worry about over taxing your normal reverse light circuit.
The other option which is more complicated is to install a relay powered by the trailer battery charge circuit and triggered by the standard reverse lights. That is how I have mine wired.
But projector lights? How fast do you back up? Usually wide dispersion lights are used to augment reverse lighting.
The grounding part is easy and won't matter. The other option for power is to tap into the reverse light wire from the larger trailer tow wiring. I have back up lights on my trailer and they connect to that power source. Doing this you would not have to worry about over taxing your normal reverse light circuit.
The other option which is more complicated is to install a relay powered by the trailer battery charge circuit and triggered by the standard reverse lights. That is how I have mine wired.
But projector lights? How fast do you back up? Usually wide dispersion lights are used to augment reverse lighting.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2014
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From: Virginia Beach VA
Just did the same thing. Used low wattage LED lights and relayed the trailer plug for power and you can do the reverse light to trigger it. $5 in relay, some wire and $30 for LED bar. About 2 hours of work... I did a thread recently.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Southern Cal
I would also use a vom or tester to verify that the black wire is ground. With both a black and white wire combo, I'd suspect the black is power, not ground.
I too agree, use a relay to eliminate the problem with overload.
I too agree, use a relay to eliminate the problem with overload.
2006 Bullet-Riddled 6.0
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Sac River Delta Ca.
What they said^^^ I myself am using a small continuous duty solenoid for my reverse lights. I ran the stock reverse light wire to the coil or trigger on the solenoid.
Then for the power supplying the lights I grabbed it off the trailer plug. I used the constant power line that's in the plug.
Very simple job 1-2 hours depending on how particular you get. Sure nice having big light behind the truck.
Then for the power supplying the lights I grabbed it off the trailer plug. I used the constant power line that's in the plug.
Very simple job 1-2 hours depending on how particular you get. Sure nice having big light behind the truck.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6,545
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From: Virginia Beach VA
I also put a switch on the ground wire so it only works when I want it to, not every time... if you choose the lighted trailer plug its only powered when you turn the lights on so you can't turn the lights on by mistake and not notice them on.
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Seems like just using the reverse light on the trailer plug is the easiest option for me (assuming that can be done if I read these reply's correctly). If that's the case, which tab is the reverse light one? Once that's identified, is it as simple as splicing the 2 power wires from the lights into 1 wire, adding a female connection to the end of that, and then just putting that connector onto the correct metal tab on the trailer plug? Pictures would help if available.
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,472
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From: Southern Cal
Seems like just using the reverse light on the trailer plug is the easiest option for me (assuming that can be done if I read these reply's correctly). If that's the case, which tab is the reverse light one? Once that's identified, is it as simple as splicing the 2 power wires from the lights into 1 wire, adding a female connection to the end of that, and then just putting that connector onto the correct metal tab on the trailer plug? Pictures would help if available.
Here's the 7 pin diagram, showing the center post being the terminal necessary.
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