HOW TO: Wire Auxiliary reverse lights

[gshadow325]

Taking [MENTION=50591]gaterose[/MENTION] idea for backup lamps in the useless reflectors. i installed a set. here is my version on wiring them up.

Concept: to have aux lights work when the vehicle is placed into reverse, or when the need arises to have these same auxilary reverse lights come on when the vehicle is stopped. by a flick of a switch!

First off order some Hanma HML-1212 2x2 " Cree LED flood lights. aka knock off rigid industries dually. $72 shipped from amazon
Hanma HML-1212 2X2 Inch CREE LED Flood Light (Pair) : Amazon.com : Automotive

Remove the tail lamps so you get this

If you cant take out the tail lights, dont attempt this

Cut back the loom to get to the wires behind the bulb.

Wires you are concerned with in the back are...
-white/black = ground
-red/yellow = reverse trigger.

In the next picture you will see my test light hooked on the ground wire and to the left is the reverse red/yellow

[MENTION=100368]TKinstler[/MENTION] picture is awesome so, i am going to reference his picture
only edits i would do to his picture is the need for a fuse coming from the reverse wire feed and power can be grabbed from the fuse box. You need diodes so the positive trigger from your switch doesnt back feed into the cars existing wiring. Take nore of the orientation of the diodes. the wrong way and it will not work. the right way it will work.

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ignition power is tapped at fuse box. open the box and in front you will see a connector with a 12GA wire, the one you want is blue/yellow. like the one in the next picture with the electrical tape on it. and red fuse holder going to it.

SO i made my connections at the rear side panel where you change the bulbs from. I ran a 12 Guage power cable up to the fuse box. used a small 15amp fuse. I am using a otrattw switch in my center console.




if everything went well, you will get this...

 

[EHNWI]

Need to do this. Though about it last night how my backup lights were so weak and I can barely see out of my tint with them.

 

[zopperman]

So does the switch trip the lights or the factory reverse wire or both?

And where'd you mount the relay?

 

[gshadow325]

So does the switch trip the lights or the factory reverse wire or both?

And where'd you mount the relay?

my relay is done in the back left side. behind the access panel for the light bulbs. its easier to run the wires to the front from that side.

I also mounted my lights like this

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