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Tapping Reverse Light power

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Old Dec 31, 2025 | 10:13 PM
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Tapping Reverse Light power

What’s the best way to tap the reverse power at the rear ? The trailer connector or pull one light and tap the power line for the reverse ?

Installing a set of spots and wiring it to a switch along with the reverse. So it will work with reverse and also over ride with a in board switch.

thanks
 
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Old Dec 31, 2025 | 11:18 PM
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I believe this has been discussed before, and not recommended because running the auxiliary lights like that would feed power back into the reverse light circuit.
I have a pair of LED lights hanging under the rear bumper, they are powered separately, by way of one of the upfitter switches, just flip the switch when I need them, independent of the reverse lights.
 
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Old Dec 31, 2025 | 11:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Ltngdrvr
I believe this has been discussed before, and not recommended because running the auxiliary lights like that would feed power back into the reverse light circuit.
I have a pair of LED lights hanging under the rear bumper, they are powered separately, by way of one of the upfitter switches, just flip the switch when I need them, independent of the reverse lights.
Yea that’s how I have my plow trucks setup. Turn on once and they are one. I want my daily to be able to come on when in reverse and also upfitter if I want some extra light.

The back feeding issue can be fixed with a diode

 
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Old Jan 1, 2026 | 07:26 AM
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I wired a Bosch "cube" automotive relay to the 7 pin trailer connector back-up circuit. I tied the power source for the relay to the running light circuit (brown wire) on the 4 pin trailer connector. Wired that way, the auxiliary lights don't come on during daylight hours when they aren't needed. You can add a trigger input to the lights via an upfitter switch and also control them manually.
 
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