Reverse lights wired to upfitter switch
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 492
Likes: 35
Great information posted. Is it possible to wire in reverse aux lights to an up-fitter switch so that they are:
always off (so not to put out too much light while camping or close to an object)
On in reverse
Always on (when needing to light up a camping spot)
in thinking out loud I think that it would have to be set up with 2 up-fitter switches to accomplish this since none of the up-fitters are dual pole. So switch one on works with reversem switch 2 is aways on and all switch one and two off is always off. Is there another way to do this?
always off (so not to put out too much light while camping or close to an object)
On in reverse
Always on (when needing to light up a camping spot)
in thinking out loud I think that it would have to be set up with 2 up-fitter switches to accomplish this since none of the up-fitters are dual pole. So switch one on works with reversem switch 2 is aways on and all switch one and two off is always off. Is there another way to do this?
reverse lights off
just off the top of my head, if you want to turn them on then use a second relay wired to a second upfitter and wire the relay with the bulb side of the green/brown wire to pin 30 and the other end of green/brown to pin 87a... then add a 12v source to pin 87..
I didn't put too much thought into that, but it should work.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 383
Likes: 5
From: Orange County, CA
I think that I am missing something but relays aren't my speciality ;-(
____________30 12+ volt battery
____________85 ground
Relay 1 _____86 up-fitter switch 1
____________87 Aux lights
____________87a green/brown wire (with diode?)
____________30 green/brown wire to relay 1
____________85 ground
Relay 2 _____86 up-fitter switch 2
____________87 12+ volt battery
____________87a not used
____________30 12+ volt battery
____________85 ground
Relay 1 _____86 up-fitter switch 1
____________87 Aux lights
____________87a green/brown wire (with diode?)
____________30 green/brown wire to relay 1
____________85 ground
Relay 2 _____86 up-fitter switch 2
____________87 12+ volt battery
____________87a not used
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 383
Likes: 5
From: Orange County, CA
This is what I was thinking.
Switch 1 and 2 off: Aux off
Switch 1 on, 2 off: Aux lights on
Switch 1 on or off and switch 2 on Aux on with reverse lights
This way i don't have to have the Aux turn on when I go into reverse every time (but can control it when I need it) as well as control if when stationary to turn on or off.
Switch 1 and 2 off: Aux off
Switch 1 on, 2 off: Aux lights on
Switch 1 on or off and switch 2 on Aux on with reverse lights
This way i don't have to have the Aux turn on when I go into reverse every time (but can control it when I need it) as well as control if when stationary to turn on or off.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 217
Likes: 8
From: Michigan
Upfitter switch tail lights
I have supplemental reverse lights that I use to illuminate my trailer when hitching up at night. They normally come on with the regular reverse lights.
I wired up one of the upfitter switches so that I could turn the reverse lights on without having to shift the transmission into reverse.
(It's not legal, but I have, on occasion, used the reverse switch to show my annoyance to folks who are tailgating me, and to signal meathead drivers who are behind me at night with their Hi-Beams on.)
I wired up one of the upfitter switches so that I could turn the reverse lights on without having to shift the transmission into reverse.
(It's not legal, but I have, on occasion, used the reverse switch to show my annoyance to folks who are tailgating me, and to signal meathead drivers who are behind me at night with their Hi-Beams on.)
Where would the diode be installed and splices in the reverse light wire and upfitter switch.
I have 2017 Superduty F350
Do you have any pictures of your installation?
Thanks
Readgriff
Thanks
Trailering
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Literally, it's nothing to look at. There is a Diode that's now in line with the existing wire, and the upfitter wire is spliced after it.
I cut the Reverse wire going to my trailer connector. Then soldered the Anode end of the diode to the Ford wire that comes from the front of the truck. Then I soldered the other end of the cut Ford wire to the Cathode side of the diode. (The Cathode side is marked with a white stripe.) From there, I also soldered my new upfitter power wire to the Cathode side of the diode. The wire then goes to my supplemental reverse lights.
The Diode and the solder connections are covered in shrink tubing, and I put it into a piece of split wire-loom. It looks like any other wiring under the truck.
I cut the Reverse wire going to my trailer connector. Then soldered the Anode end of the diode to the Ford wire that comes from the front of the truck. Then I soldered the other end of the cut Ford wire to the Cathode side of the diode. (The Cathode side is marked with a white stripe.) From there, I also soldered my new upfitter power wire to the Cathode side of the diode. The wire then goes to my supplemental reverse lights.
The Diode and the solder connections are covered in shrink tubing, and I put it into a piece of split wire-loom. It looks like any other wiring under the truck.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,334
Likes: 306
From: Mills River
Activating the back-up lights from an U/S can be done without a diode:
Install an automotive SPDT relay controlled by the upfitter switch and relay
Connect the back-up lamps to the relay Common terminal
Connect the truck’s original back-up circuit to the relay NC terminal
Connect the +12 output circuit from the upfitter switch relay output to the relay coil and the relay NO
Install a reverse-polarity flyback diode and load resistor across the relay coil terminals
With the U/S OFF, the new relay will be de-energized and the back-up lamps will operate nominally from the original truck circuit through the relay’s NC and Common terminals.
With the U/S ON, the relay will energize and interrupt the NC circuit, this isolating the original truck circuit. The NO circuit will close, providing +12 to the back up lights.
This should work. I’ve done similar circuits before, but not this exact application.
HTH,
Jim / crewzer
Install an automotive SPDT relay controlled by the upfitter switch and relay
Connect the back-up lamps to the relay Common terminal
Connect the truck’s original back-up circuit to the relay NC terminal
Connect the +12 output circuit from the upfitter switch relay output to the relay coil and the relay NO
Install a reverse-polarity flyback diode and load resistor across the relay coil terminals
With the U/S OFF, the new relay will be de-energized and the back-up lamps will operate nominally from the original truck circuit through the relay’s NC and Common terminals.
With the U/S ON, the relay will energize and interrupt the NC circuit, this isolating the original truck circuit. The NO circuit will close, providing +12 to the back up lights.
This should work. I’ve done similar circuits before, but not this exact application.
HTH,
Jim / crewzer
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Trailering
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Activating the back-up lights from an U/S can be done without a diode:
Install an automotive SPDT relay controlled by the upfitter switch and relay
Connect the back-up lamps to the relay Common terminal
Connect the truck’s original back-up circuit to the relay NC terminal
Connect the +12 output circuit from the upfitter switch relay output to the relay coil and the relay NO
Install a reverse-polarity flyback diode and load resistor across the relay coil terminals
With the U/S OFF, the new relay will be de-energized and the back-up lamps will operate nominally from the original truck circuit through the relay’s NC and Common terminals.
With the U/S ON, the relay will energize and interrupt the NC circuit, this isolating the original truck circuit. The NO circuit will close, providing +12 to the back up lights.
This should work. I’ve done similar circuits before, but not this exact application.
HTH,
Jim / crewzer
Install an automotive SPDT relay controlled by the upfitter switch and relay
Connect the back-up lamps to the relay Common terminal
Connect the truck’s original back-up circuit to the relay NC terminal
Connect the +12 output circuit from the upfitter switch relay output to the relay coil and the relay NO
Install a reverse-polarity flyback diode and load resistor across the relay coil terminals
With the U/S OFF, the new relay will be de-energized and the back-up lamps will operate nominally from the original truck circuit through the relay’s NC and Common terminals.
With the U/S ON, the relay will energize and interrupt the NC circuit, this isolating the original truck circuit. The NO circuit will close, providing +12 to the back up lights.
This should work. I’ve done similar circuits before, but not this exact application.
HTH,
Jim / crewzer
Trailering
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
So I completed this install using a relay and then had a new bumper installed. After the install my upfitter switch prevents the lights from coming on instead of turning them on. I can put the truck in reverse and my factory lights and added lights come on. If I leave it in reverse and flip the up fitter switch switch the added lights turn off. When not in reverse the switch does nothing. Did something short? I replace the relay and still have the same results.
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