Reverse light wiring
Reverse light wiring
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 15
From: Toronto, Canada
Reverse light wiring
I am adding cheapo tractor floods (2) to the rear for backup lights and was wondering where to tap into the truck best for battery power. I am using a relay running off the backup wire at the rear of the truck to activate the lights everytime I go into reverse. Should the battery power be tapped into at the starter solenoid like on older trucks? Where do I find this?
Also, what gauge of wire should I be using? (I have an ext cab/short box). Would 12 gauge be enough? I think that they are 55 watt bulbs.
Thanks guys!
Matt
Also, what gauge of wire should I be using? (I have an ext cab/short box). Would 12 gauge be enough? I think that they are 55 watt bulbs.
Thanks guys!
Matt
New User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: PLAINFIELD USA
Reverse light wiring
I used 45w driving ligths in the rear. all you have to do is tap off the 12v lead to your traler plug into a relay trigered by your reverse lights. it keeps all the wiring on the rear and you can use higer watage lights. this works well i did to all my plow rigs.
bill
bill
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Ripon USA
Reverse light wiring
On your fuse . . .
Two 55 watt lights = 110 watts
110 watts divided by 12 volts = ~9 amps
You need at least a 10 amp fuse. I would use a 12.5 amp if I were you.
Also, have you thought of tying into the reverse light wire from the trailer plug. You wouldn't even need a relay if you powered your lights from this lead.
Two 55 watt lights = 110 watts
110 watts divided by 12 volts = ~9 amps
You need at least a 10 amp fuse. I would use a 12.5 amp if I were you.
Also, have you thought of tying into the reverse light wire from the trailer plug. You wouldn't even need a relay if you powered your lights from this lead.
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Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Reverse light wiring
>You need at least a 10 amp fuse. I would use a 12.5 amp if I
>were you.
Hmmmm....all you electrical gurus out there. What is the rule of thumb for sizing fuses? Seems that in this scenario, if you went with 12.5A fuse then the lights could get as much as 75watts each before the fuse blew. Would that be okay for the lights?
How much over the current amperage draw should the fuse be rated for?
I am not DC electrical guru, but would like to become one...
>were you.
Hmmmm....all you electrical gurus out there. What is the rule of thumb for sizing fuses? Seems that in this scenario, if you went with 12.5A fuse then the lights could get as much as 75watts each before the fuse blew. Would that be okay for the lights?
How much over the current amperage draw should the fuse be rated for?
I am not DC electrical guru, but would like to become one...
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 297
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From: Canada
Reverse light wiring
The fuse doesn't determine how much juice the lights will get. Their rating is the point at which they will blow. So the max current through the wire to the lights (in the event of a short) will be 12.5 amps.
The lights will only draw what they need to operate 9 amps the extra 3.5 is just a safety margin so your not blowing the fuse everytime you turn the lights on.
The lights will only draw what they need to operate 9 amps the extra 3.5 is just a safety margin so your not blowing the fuse everytime you turn the lights on.
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