Thanks guys for the help in wiring my auxilary reverse lights! I can now see through my tinted window!

One question remains,

Can I wire in a 3 position switch that connects to the trailer reverse light (thats where I have the activation for the relay wired into) to disable the floods when I don't need them (position 1), to leave them automatic (postion 2) and turn them on independent of reverse (postion 3)?

Thanks!

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 21-May-02 AT 02:25 AM (EST)]If you get a three pole swith with three positions on/off/on.
Wire the middle terminal to the relay switch. Connect one of the side terminals to the lead from the trailer reverse lights. Connect the other side terminal to battery.
With the switch off, no power will go to the relay. With the switch in one of the On positions, power will go to the relay when the truck is in reverse. With the switch in the other On position, power will go to the relay from the battery.
Don't forget to fuse both power leads.
Let us know how it goes.

:P

 

DO I need a diode in place on the reverse light wire to prevent power from running back up the reverse light wire and causing havoc and/or turning on my factory reverse lights?

Thanks!
Matt

 

Follow lodihoseman's instructions and everything should be OK.

 

FTEer's

Is this the switch that I need?

------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBMINI TOGGLE SWITCH 275-620 $5.99
Submini toggle switch. Rated 3 amps at 125VAC. Requires 6mm (1/4") mounting hole. DPDT centre-off.
------------------------------------------------------------------

Is DPDT what I need?
Will this work with 12vDC?
Enough amperage capacity?

Thanks!
Matt

 

Can anyone help? I need to know by tonight as I found a place that stocks these smaller than average toggle switches! Thanks!

 

The 'DPDT' indicate a switch that is 'double pole' (2 seperate circuits) and 'double throw' (only 2 active positions) with center position off.

Layman's terms = a 3 position switch with the center position that connects to nothing and the other two positions work, for 2 seperate circuits

The back of the switch should look like:

Lead 1..........Lead 2
........center
.........Lead

...O.......X......O.......(circuit one)

...O.......X......O.......(circuit two)

(Ignore the dots)

This center lead is the one that will connect to either
lead 1 or 2 depending on the throw of the switch

BTW, the switch is rated for only 3 amps (max of 36 watts)
for a 12 volt system. A little low for me.

HarryO

 

Because the switch is rated at 3 amps for 125V, wouldn't it be rated for more at 12Volts?

I know little about this stuff!

Thanks!
Matt

 

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 24-May-02 AT 10:53 PM (EST)]HarryO,

Ok, I've found a switch, but i need some clarification on how to wire the switch re: ladihosemans instructions. My switch has six posts on the back, but I only have 3 wires according to ladihosemans instructions, so which of the 6 do I attach to?

Thanks for en'light'ening me, pun intended!

Matt

 

The switch should have come with a pin-out diagram. I've seen switches with 3 sets of 2 poles where you could use one or both poles in a set... lines (|) denote electrical connections between poles (x).

You'll need to know for sure before wiring everything up. Do you have a multimeter to determine the pin-out yourself?

 

I think that I have a multimeter, but no idea on how to us it to determine the correct hookup method!

No diagram came with the switch of course!!! The diagram that you drew looks like the back of my switch though!!

Thanks!

 

Set your meter to measure "Resistance" (probably a 1K Ohm setting) then measure the resistance between the posts with the switch lever in all of the positions. When resistance is 0, you've got a complete circuit.

 

Thanks for all the help, I got the mod done!

I ended up using the 3 postion mini toggle and cut into the trailer wiring in front of the gas tank. The switch works like it should, floods override when in reverse, on when in reverse, or on independent of reverse. I mounted the switch below the ignition switch for a stealth install.

Thanks again!

Matt

 

Hey,

Good job on your mod. Sorry I didn't get back to you when you needed help. I have been on vacation, and wasn't able to get online.

I'm glad you found what you needed, I'll be making the same mod to mine soon.