Trailer Reverse Light Wiring
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Lancaster, MA
Trailer Reverse Light Wiring
OK, so I know this is the wrong part of the forum for this, but hopefully I can get some answers from you wiring guys in here.
I just bought a 2007 Haulmark 24' enclosed car trailer from a fellow member on here. I love it, its perfect. Right now it has two large reverse lights on the rear that turn on when you put the truck in reverse, they are wired into the 7 round plug. What I want to to is also have them come on as work lights (such as when the trailer is not pluged into the truck or the truck is not in reverse). I will be using this trailer for racing, so I need some light. Is there a way I can wire a switch in that will allow the lights to stay on as work lights and then also double as reverse lights? I read about a single pile, triple throw switch. Would that work for this? I'd have to hook it up the battery on the trailer, correct? Anybody have any advise or wiring diagrams? If I have to I can just run the lights of a single switch and just turn the switch on when I need extra reverse lights.
I just bought a 2007 Haulmark 24' enclosed car trailer from a fellow member on here. I love it, its perfect. Right now it has two large reverse lights on the rear that turn on when you put the truck in reverse, they are wired into the 7 round plug. What I want to to is also have them come on as work lights (such as when the trailer is not pluged into the truck or the truck is not in reverse). I will be using this trailer for racing, so I need some light. Is there a way I can wire a switch in that will allow the lights to stay on as work lights and then also double as reverse lights? I read about a single pile, triple throw switch. Would that work for this? I'd have to hook it up the battery on the trailer, correct? Anybody have any advise or wiring diagrams? If I have to I can just run the lights of a single switch and just turn the switch on when I need extra reverse lights.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
a standard wall type switch will work.. with one little change..
add a diode between the lead back to the hitch and the feed to the lights.
the diode is a one way electrical device.. this means the electricity can flow only in one direction.. out to the lights not up to the truck.
so you add the battery,
run the hot lead to the switch, then out of the switch to the backup lights.
run the battery ground lead to the trailer chassis ground.
then in the lead from the truck connector to the backup lights, clip and insert (solder in) the diode, with the direction set to front to back.
you need to do that someplace before the lead coming from the switch.
Sam
add a diode between the lead back to the hitch and the feed to the lights.
the diode is a one way electrical device.. this means the electricity can flow only in one direction.. out to the lights not up to the truck.
so you add the battery,
run the hot lead to the switch, then out of the switch to the backup lights.
run the battery ground lead to the trailer chassis ground.
then in the lead from the truck connector to the backup lights, clip and insert (solder in) the diode, with the direction set to front to back.
you need to do that someplace before the lead coming from the switch.
Sam
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
another option is to jump the battery feed wire at the trailer seven pin connector to the reverse light circuit when the trailer is disconnected. use a fuse in the jumper. more of a temporary thing but is quick and easy.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
the backup lights don't draw much
Sam
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Lancaster, MA
OK, thanks for the info. I did some diggin myself and found this:
Alan's Reverse Light Wiring Diagram - Snowplowing-Contractors.com
This is basically what I'm looking to do. I'm not sure i want to do a wall switch. Where I want to put the switch, a regular automotive switch might work better for me. If I followed the diagram above would it work? I already have the wire for the reverse light located in the trailer, already have a battery hooked up for a winch, power invertor, and lights. So basically I would have to run a hot lead from the battery (with an in line fuse), located the existing reverse light wire, and then just follow the diagram? Or is this way not going to work? Would I need to use a relay for it or no?
Alan's Reverse Light Wiring Diagram - Snowplowing-Contractors.com
This is basically what I'm looking to do. I'm not sure i want to do a wall switch. Where I want to put the switch, a regular automotive switch might work better for me. If I followed the diagram above would it work? I already have the wire for the reverse light located in the trailer, already have a battery hooked up for a winch, power invertor, and lights. So basically I would have to run a hot lead from the battery (with an in line fuse), located the existing reverse light wire, and then just follow the diagram? Or is this way not going to work? Would I need to use a relay for it or no?
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Lancaster, MA
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
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From: Stevens Point, WI
You could do the wire from the trailer battery (fused) to a switch than to the lights. The back up signal wire could run to a relay to turn on the same lights but when the truck is not in reverse the relay will kill that line so there will be no feedback power to the truck when you turn the trailer switch on.
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
and u really don't need the diode on my instructions as Ford uses a relay, so when the truck is off, the extra battery feed back up the backup line in the connector won't go anywhere..
I only said wall switch cause my enclosed trailer has a wall switch for internal lights.
sam
I only said wall switch cause my enclosed trailer has a wall switch for internal lights.
sam
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
Simple - get a single pole double throw (SPDT) switch rated for several amps, and an inline fuse holder.
1) Cut the wire running from the trailer plug to the reverse lights.
2) Connect the lights to the "common" (usually the center) terminal of the switch.
3) Connect the wire coming from the trailer plug to either of the remaining terminals.
4) Run a wire from the trailer battery through the inline fuse to the remaining switch terminal.
If this isn't clear enough, PM me and I'll email you a diagram. Enjoy.
1) Cut the wire running from the trailer plug to the reverse lights.
2) Connect the lights to the "common" (usually the center) terminal of the switch.
3) Connect the wire coming from the trailer plug to either of the remaining terminals.
4) Run a wire from the trailer battery through the inline fuse to the remaining switch terminal.
If this isn't clear enough, PM me and I'll email you a diagram. Enjoy.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Lancaster, MA
I ended up just wiring it into a toggle switch today. I'm going to use the light as work lights 95% of the time anyway and if I NEED extra back up lights the switch is mounted right next to the door and can always be turned on to back up. Now I just need to get a better toggle switch. The Autozone one I had in my toolbox is flimsy junk. Thanks for all the help guys.
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