Guys, I have picked up a couple of TUFF 4: LED floods to mount on the trailer hitch. I want to set it up so I can turn the lights on through the upfitter switch when I need them for work lights but also to function if upfitter is off but I am in "reverse" (i.e. tap into the reverse light wire as permanent power).

Can this be done with a SPDT relay? other thoughts?

I can always just default to manually hitting the upfitter switch when I am backing up but heck, I'm lazy


Thanks


Steve

 

You can probably do it with a SPST switch and a diode.
The diode will prevent kickback and allow you to turn it on either way.

 

The problem is when you turn on the lights with the upftter switch you have to remember to turn them off when you are done with them. I saw a guy the other day with a bright light on the back of his truck he forgot to turn off going down the highway.

 

I did that just the other day. (Luckily it was daytime.) Didn't realize it until I pulled into my driveway and noticed them on.

For my aux rear lights, I have a SPDT (Single-Pole-Dual-Throw) switch mounted on the light fixture. One set of contacts are tied to the reverse light circuit. The other set is is tied to the constant 12 VDC trailer lights circuit. The two output poles of the switch are tied together going to the aux lights.

I normally keep it switched to the reverse lights circuit. When I need lighting when I'm back there, I can just flip the switch to the constant 12V power. The two power circuits are segregated by the switch, so it physically cannot backpower the reverse lights circuit and doesn't need a blocking diode.