Auxiliary Reverse Light Question

[NC-Expy]

So I got a set of 55W reverse lights that I'm going to be mounting on my trailer hitch... my question for you guys is: can I go ahead and tap into my existing wiring for my OEM reverse lights? (brown and pink I think it is?)

Or do I need to go ahead and have a separate relay for them?

In which case I'd probably just wire them straight to the battery and then wire them to a toggle switch up front.

 

[Remo]

That's too many amps to tap into the reverse wiring. You should definitely use a relay; and I'd recommend a 3-way relay and switch set up (on, off, switched-on). This is much safer, more reliable, and you'd probably find it more useful/convenient.

If you didn't buy the lights yet, and are set on keeping the wiring as simple as possible, get some LED aux lights--they will draw significantly less amps. Those you could probably just tap into the reverse wiring for power.

Hope that helps.

 

[Remo]

Also, don't forget to use a fuse!

 

[Remo]

One more thing, lol. If you have the tow package with the wiring harness, you could probably use that for power (rather than running all the way back to the battery). I'm not 100%, but that is worth investigating.

 

[NC-Expy]

One more thing, lol. If you have the tow package with the wiring harness, you could probably use that for power (rather than running all the way back to the battery). I'm not 100%, but that is worth investigating.

I do have the tow package with the wiring, so I could just splice into that? That would make my life a whole heck of a lot easier...

 

[Remo]

I'm sure someone around here can pull up a wiring schematic for you...I'm pretty sure you can use it, though.

 

[panda24619]

how are they being mounted? why not mount them where i have mine?
and they are on a switch. its fun to see some idiot thats tail gating you and accidently hit the switch.








edit: what the hell?! shaggy we have a problem. these are

and still they wont pop up. people just say im crazy!

 

[NC-Expy]

how are they being mounted? why not mount them where i have mine?
and they are on a switch. its fun to see some idiot thats tail gating you and accidently hit the switch.








edit: what the hell?! shaggy we have a problem. these are

and still they wont pop up. people just say im crazy!

I'm bolting them on to my trailer hitch. They are real tiny lights and I'm not interested in putting these, or bigger ones on my roof rack so the hitch will be best for me.

 

[panda24619]

what i would do is just tap into your trailer hitch lighting. thatll would best.

 

[dougmcp]

Check these out, they plug into the tow plug, the receiver hitch and you can still tow:
http://www.whitenight.com/

 

[panda24619]

thats what alaska has for his excur i think.

 

[alaskanexpy]

yeah i have a white knight on the excursion...LOVE IT going to get one for the expy also.

currently though i have 2 55w work lights mounted under the bumper tapped into the trailer light back up lights.



the white knight

 

[megawatt00]

Check these out, they plug into the tow plug, the receiver hitch and you can still tow:
http://www.whitenight.com/

yeah i have a white knight on the excursion...LOVE IT going to get one for the expy also.

currently though i have 2 55w work lights mounted under the bumper tapped into the trailer light back up lights.



the white knight

I like the looks of that. I work in a steel fabrication shop (facilities maintenance manager) I am going to see about making a plate like that to mount some lights out of stainless steel.

 

[VTfireftr]

Can you still access the wiring connectors with that light there?

I may just drill into the recevier hitch to mount some additional lighting, like I did on my F 250. The lights use one of the upfitter switches that are available on the pickups.

All you need is a sharp drill bit and a corded drill. Too thick steel for a cordless drill.

 

[megawatt00]

Can you still access the wiring connectors with that light there?

I may just drill into the recevier hitch to mount some additional lighting, like I did on my F 250. The lights use one of the upfitter switches that are available on the pickups.

All you need is a sharp drill bit and a corded drill. Too thick steel for a cordless drill.

The have a relocation plate to move the factory connector if needed.

 

[99 Expy]

Panda, we do all think you're crazy.... NC, Going through your wiring harness would be easiest, and definitely don't tap into the reverse lights or you wont have much power. If you cant use the wiring harness, I would run it to the battery with a relay and fuse. My Hellas came with all the hardware. I had to tap one of the wires from the relay into my clearance lights so the lights could only be turned on when my clearance lights were on, and have a switch inside so I can turn the Hellas on or off while the clearance lights are on. If you need a diagram for a relay, I can find one for you.

 

[liftedpsd]

I'm seriously considering this for some better reverse lights when backing up. Is there anyway to have them auto come on when I put it in reverse but also be able to manually switch them on? Thanks

 

[Thermo]

liftedpsd, you can make the lights do whatever you want them to do. The question is, how much wiring experience do you have.

With something like this, you are going to want to wire up the aux lights in the rear via a relay. that way you don't overload the gear selector switch on the tranny. If you install 2 diodes (one for each function), you can have the factory wiring turn on the aux lights whenever the reverse lights are turned on and then you can use the other wire to a switch on the dash which will allow you to turn on the lights at any time. The diodes are necessary as you want to not confuse the tranny computer into thinking that the truck is in 2 gears at the same time (ie, drive and reverse) as this can cause known problems.

If you have more questions, let me know. This is pretty easy to do, but you may need more info if you are not wiring savvy.