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Okay, So I have a back up light that I want to tie into the reverse light circuit. I have brought power to the light and will use a relay to feed the new power requirements for the light. I will use the clamp (style) pictured in the Front (Blue) I will go with a smaller clamp (Red). So which wire, do I want to clamp?
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Everyone else wires LED lights into the upfitters. This has the advantage of being able to use the lights for working behind the truck, like helping a stranded motorist or loading cargo in the dark. The disadvantage is some of us old geezers forget to turn them off.
Your plan has the advantage of unattended operation. But disallows use of the lights for any other purpose. What was your thinking here, just asking?
Okay, So I have a back up light that I want to tie into the reverse light circuit. I have brought power to the light and will use a relay to feed the new power requirements for the light. I will use the camp (style) pictured in the Front (Blue) I will go with a smaller clamp (Red). So which wire, do I want to clamp?
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Depending on the light you plan to use, the relay is probably unnecessary.
And, those crimp-on inline splice connectors are no good, especially for an area that gets wet, it'll corrode, and so will the wire you tap into.
As always Thanks! Good suggestions, I like connecting at the 7 pin (bigger wire) and still automatic for reverse. The bed already has lights. I like the thought of the up lifters for lighting up an area, but I would forget to turn them off. Might run another circuit from the uplifter for a 2nd light.
In an exposed area like that, i wouldn`t use those vampire clamps (personally, i think they`re garbage and would`t put them anywhere on my truck, solder and heat shrink). I`d tap into the reverse light at the tail light for the trigger. The splice would be protected behind the light and you can grab a ground in there also. I would not use the trailer wiring harness.
Isn’t there something with tapping the trailer circuits that causes faults, the truck thinking a trailer is connected? Maybe a posi-tap instead of the clamp style?
As always Thanks! Good suggestions, I like connecting at the 7 pin (bigger wire) and still automatic for reverse. The bed already has lights. I like the thought of the up lifters for lighting up an area, but I would forget to turn them off. Might run another circuit from the uplifter for a 2nd light.
The upfitter switches turn off when the truck goes to sleep after you turn it off, so no worries about leaving a light on and killing the battery.
Leave the lights on going down the road and other drivers will let you know pretty quickly, plus the light on the switch stays on to remind you.
Also, having some big lights out back, connected to the upfitter switch, works well for letting idiots know they need to dim their high beams as they follow along behind you.
If you have halogen back up lights then replace the high current draw bulbs with low current LEDs. Then just tap off the backup light itself behind the fixture with your new LED lights. The fuse should handle the current draw having replaced the halogen bulb with LED.
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