Sorry for the electionic rookie question but, I just bought two LED lights to use as auxiliary back-up lights and I want to wire them so that I have 3 options.

1. Turn on manually at any time
2. Come on automatically when in reverse
3. Turn off manually if NOT needed in reverse

From my understanding there is a green wire (haven't tried to look yet) that I can use as hot 12V, and I will need to use a relay.

I really need details on which relay, which switch to buy (ie SPST, SPDT, DPST, etc.).

A wiring diagram would be best with details on the switch and relay to use!

Thanks for any advice!

 

The green wire is hot ONLY when the truck is in reverse. The OP tapped into a hot terminal to give power when he wants it. In order to turn them off when the truck is in reverse, you might have to add a second switch. You would have to have a way to break the lime green circuit when the truck is in reverse. Someone else might chime in with a better way to do it.


For the OP, thanks, this will help the back up light install.

 

Yeah, I can add a switch to eliminate the circuit from the lime green wire, but I would only have the option to turn the lights on when in reverse. I want to be able to turn them on/off as need, and come on automatically when in reverse given that I have the switch turned on. This may be near impossible or take an electrical engineer but I am certainly not the expert to figure this out on my own - any help will certainly be appreciated!

 

Yeah, I can add a switch to eliminate the circuit from the lime green wire, but I would only have the option to turn the lights on when in reverse. I want to be able to turn them on/off as need, and come on automatically when in reverse given that I have the switch turned on. This may be near impossible or take an electrical engineer but I am certainly not the expert to figure this out on my own - any help will certainly be appreciated!

I have not done this project yet but look at the diagram below. It will use 2 relays and 1 SPCO(SPDT with center off) switch. I was going to install the 2 relays in a waterproof electronics project box and mount the box and the switch in the back bumper near the tow hitch receiver. Switch position 1 turns the added work lights on, center position is off, and position 2 the lights work when the backup lights come on.

I found this on the forum sometime ago so I cannot take credit.

Hope this helps.

Jim

 

These are the lights I used: Compact LED Flood light 900 Lumens 4 LED

 

The problem with your scenario is being able to turn them off, even in reverse. Possibly with a SPDT relay, that defaults to the lights working when in reverse. After thinking it over a bit, I would NOT break the wire for back up lights in the truck, because if you leave this in the off position, for some reason, and then try to back up sometime, it could lead to an accident.

 

Aux reverse lights

I've added "load lights" to my old '00 1/2 ton and again with my LLY...2- 4" 55W tractor lights, 2- 6" 55W semi-headache rack style load lights, 2- 55W "take down" lights faced rearward in a code 3 MX 7000 bar. All work in reverse and on push switch from Code 3 Mastercon. Work amazing for dumba$$es who forget to turn their brights off...

 

sub'd

 

I might have to do this someday.

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I did a similar job on my 01 turned out great.

 

I have had the extra lights tied into the reverse light harness for a year. They work great with the LED reverse bulbs. I finally wired in the switch today. I like it!

It should make it handy at night when fooling with the trailers or equipment.

There seems to be more idiots with their brights and or fog lights on, and lifted or leveled trucks that have not adjusted their lights down. These should remind them that they are not the only ones on the road.

 

I agree on the idiot part. Those clowns either have no clue or don't care they are blinding opposing traffic. Until one of them collides head on with them.

 

Rear mounted lights FTW!
These are scene lights from @LSLighting.

They are not connected with the back up lights at all, just a quick flip of the switch within arm's reach turns them on :thumb
Without lights.
With lights.


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Subd

 

Bringing it back to life. Little confused here... I added led lights to bumper and wired into the center lime green wire right at the trailer plug. They come on in reverse but when I flip the switch wired under the dash like the OP only the truck reverse lights come one???