Reverse lights wired to upfitter switch
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
Hm. I'm tying into the reverse lights to put the reverse alarm on an upfitter (As it's powered by the reverse lights). I'm using a Hella relay for that, but I'm already getting power from the reverse light. You need to add power for the reverse light when none is there.
I'd run a relay that, when the upfitter is switched on, sends power to the reverse lights (whatever voltage that is..) and keeps them on at all times.. when the upfitter is switched off, the wiring goes back to standard.. (basically, switching the existing power wire to the reverse light to either being supplied power from its original source that is activated when in reverse, or switching it over to a constant power source switched on via the upfitter).
There was a thread in another forum on this board with the schematic and idea for the reverse relay. I think it'd be something similar for you, just need to find the power source for your always on and the voltage.. other guys here I'm sure know exactly where you'd find what you're looking for.
I'd run a relay that, when the upfitter is switched on, sends power to the reverse lights (whatever voltage that is..) and keeps them on at all times.. when the upfitter is switched off, the wiring goes back to standard.. (basically, switching the existing power wire to the reverse light to either being supplied power from its original source that is activated when in reverse, or switching it over to a constant power source switched on via the upfitter).
There was a thread in another forum on this board with the schematic and idea for the reverse relay. I think it'd be something similar for you, just need to find the power source for your always on and the voltage.. other guys here I'm sure know exactly where you'd find what you're looking for.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 607
Likes: 3
From: CT
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.)
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 4
From: Western New York
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.
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.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 492
Likes: 35
I'm interested in shutting the reverse lights off when in reverse. At night, when backing up my 5th wheel trailer, the reflection is blinding.
I guess i would put in a n/c relay in line, controlled by an upfitter switch?
I guess i would put in a n/c relay in line, controlled by an upfitter switch?
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Ashern MB
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.)
thnx
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 607
Likes: 3
From: CT
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.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 959
Likes: 10
From: Medford, OR
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.)
(and make sure that tailgater isn't an unmarked cop car. He might not let you off even if he was tailgating you...)
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 607
Likes: 3
From: CT
If you put diodes in series, then the voltage drops add up; 0.6 volts each.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 4
From: Western New York
If you are worried about voltage drop across the diode you should use that circuit to power a relay and bring fresh, clean power to the relay for the operation of the lights or whatever you are attempting to operate.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 383
Likes: 5
From: Orange County, CA
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?
