Wiring auxillary b/u lights

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Feb 16, 2008 | 12:12 PM

35w

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Wiring auxillary b/u lights

I have an 06 F250 CC FX4 6.0 and want to install fog lights as extra lighting when in reverse and rear lighting with a switch when in Park. I have the upfitter switches and can use one for this. What is the best way to do this so all connections are water/moisture tight and look professional?

Thanks for you help

35w

Feb 16, 2008 | 02:45 PM

NJF350SD

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From: North NJ

You are looking at a relatively complex wiring project. You are looking at 2 seperate circuits (Regular BU circuit, plus a second for the manual switch you want). You will also need to include a diode in the manual curcuit so that you don't feed voltage/current back though your back-up light circuit when you turn your manual switch on.

Personally, I bought a set of standard work lights from a towing supply company (AW Direct) mounted them onto the bottom of my bumper at the corners with stainless hardware using the OEM holes and tied them into the reverse wiring circuit from the trailer wiring harness.

If you wanted something additional, you can get a set of "stealth lights" which mount around your receiver hitch and tie them into a seperate switch in the cab for use when stationary. Just my $.02.

Cm

Feb 18, 2008 | 08:53 AM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

For a professional look, get a soldering iron and some shrinkwrap tubing. Slide the shrinkwrap over the wire, solder the wire, and then slide the shrinkwrap over the joint and heat it.

Feb 18, 2008 | 07:47 PM

35w

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Thanks guys I appreciate the help.

35w

Feb 21, 2008 | 01:49 PM

blue beast

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From: sunny fla sometimes windy

Wiring the lights so they hook up with a 2 wire trailer(trolling motor) connector and
having a 30 foot extension wire and a quick release mount(Cclamp, magnet) for the light will give you the ability to use the light under the hood, back on the trailer for changing a tire etc., or when
you just need some light somewhere. I use a halogen fog light and it is bright as heck
and will make someone tailgating you back off.

Mar 2, 2008 | 12:24 PM

rotun

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From: So.Ca./ N.E. UT

Use a relay, tap into the reverse light wire to activate the relay. You'll have to run a seperate power feed from the upfitter to power the relay and then jump the relay straight to the lights from the upfitter as well, which you can run in a plastic wire loom. You'll want to wire it so you have the ability to turn them off when in reverse as they are not legal (just in case law enf. is behind you). Also, as stated above.....solder and shrink wrap will never let you down. This way you can turn them on with the upfitter while in park, they will come on automatically in reverse but only as long as the upfitter is on.

Mar 3, 2008 | 09:21 PM

cangim

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From: Utah County, UT

When I did mine I went the hard way first, then once I was done came up with his idea. Set your lights to work with the center pin on the 7way RV plug at the back. This is a fuse 20A circuit that will come on when you place it in reverse. Then tie your upfitter switch into the BU/AUX relay in the fuse box. You will need to use a couple of diodes to eliminate any feed back. I haven't check for sure but fairly positive all the relays are controlled by supplying the 12V and not sinking or grounding them to activate. To check remove the relay and test for continuity between ground on both of the coil contacts. Which ever one has continuity is the ground side. Then for sanity I'd check the positive, turn the key on but don't start it, set the park brake, and place it in reverse. The second coil contact should have 12V or so present. This is the wire to connect into.