Aftermarket Back up lights
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: San Angelo TX
Aftermarket Back up lights
I've been kicking this around this morning trying to get the best of both worlds. I'm going to install a set of backup lights to the back of my 98 F-150 to give me a little more light backing up. I understand how to wire it regularly but I was going to try to figure out a way to have it be able to come on with a switch when I'm hooking up my trailer. So I guess what I'm trying to do is have the lights as backup lights day to day but when I'm hooking the trailer up at night I'd like to be able to turn them on with the truck in park. Any one have an idea of how to wire this? I'm wondering if there is a relay out there that will allow me to have two power inputs with one output.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 10,511
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From: Under the flightpath of old ORD 22R
1 of 2 ways
1. Install a switch for the power to the relay coil, so it can be selected.
This is what I have, the switch is in the reverse position all the time, and if I need them on, I just flip the switch. I have it setup so the parking lamps need to be on, to run them constant, but you can change the brown wire to a key position selection ( accy / run ) or always hot.
2. install 2 relays
The above diagram is setup so they go on with the revere lamps, and the interior lamps, with the SPDT switch as an option to turn them on full time.
For your application, just change the SPDT switch to a SPST switch, with power in what ever key position you want ( in accy / run position or always hot )
The easy way to do hot in accy / run position is to install an add-a-fuse in the radio slot, and the additional circuit is a 1A fuse ( relay coil only draws about 0.25 A ). Use this type, not the ones that tag on to the blade of a fuse ( they stretch the fuse slot out of shape )
1. Install a switch for the power to the relay coil, so it can be selected.
This is what I have, the switch is in the reverse position all the time, and if I need them on, I just flip the switch. I have it setup so the parking lamps need to be on, to run them constant, but you can change the brown wire to a key position selection ( accy / run ) or always hot.
2. install 2 relays
The above diagram is setup so they go on with the revere lamps, and the interior lamps, with the SPDT switch as an option to turn them on full time.
For your application, just change the SPDT switch to a SPST switch, with power in what ever key position you want ( in accy / run position or always hot )
The easy way to do hot in accy / run position is to install an add-a-fuse in the radio slot, and the additional circuit is a 1A fuse ( relay coil only draws about 0.25 A ). Use this type, not the ones that tag on to the blade of a fuse ( they stretch the fuse slot out of shape )