Ok, i wanted to post an how-to on how to install extra back-up light but i lost quit a few pictures. I'm not in the mood of taking everything apart just to take pictures again so here's what i have.
The goal was to install some extra back-up lights so i can actualy see something when backing up in the dark. Parking space in europe is quit narrow...
Then i thought 'why not use them as work/camping light also'.
So, i needed the LED's the go on automaticaly when put in reverse AND go on manually without the engine running.
I'm not an experienced electrician but i managed to make my own (very simple) wiring diagram:
So we need to splice the original wire from the original back-up light to power the relais. I did it all the way from the back.
The color-scheme here is red/blue. Yours can be different. Use a multimeter! I spliced the wire behind the panel on the inside.
The wire is routed to the front under the carpet.
(getting crowded under there...)
Before you proceed, it's a good idea to test that wiring diagram. So i frankensteined it all together and verified that it worked.
I have a secondary battery so i tapped the 12v supply from it's fusebox.
Everything is fitted under the dashboard on the drivers side. (NOT the fusebox, it's best to place fuses as close to the battery as possible)
I had to figure out a way to get the 12v supply wire to the roof. And i don't want to drill another hole in it. A popular solution is to route the wire behind the rubber door seal and that's what i did.
Into my retro roof rack...
And out again to a splice-box.
For the switch i used 4-position switch. 0, 1, 2, 3.
0: open
1: open (not connected, reserve)
2: ON when in reverse
3: ON manually
Note: I used 1,5mm² wire because the LED's are 36W only. That's 3A so 1,5mm² is enough. Again, your's may need to be thicker depending on what you're hooking up.
That's it, now i just have to wait and see for the first time when i need them
And gave my cell phone car mount an upgrade...
Cheers.