How to wire a rear worklamp to work in reverse and by switch?

nosivad_bor

nosivad_bor

Well-known member
Mar 27, 2004
6,060
63
Pittsburgh, PA
How to wire a rear worklamp to work in reverse and by switch?

I just bought a new LED worklamp for the back of my rack. I'd like to wire this up so it comes on when I put the car in reverse. That is easy enough.

I also want to have a switch just inside the back door so I can turn the light on when I am setting up tent or cooking. How u do dat??

I initially thought I could tape into reverse wire, then also run a separate wire from the battery to the switch. but I think that electricity will back filter and light up my reverse lights.

Looking for advice / experience.

http://www.myhellalights.com/index.php/default/auxiliary-lamps/led/micro-70-led/

• Low power consumption – only 15 Watts, light intensity about 670 lm
• Mulitvoltage 9 - 33V , reverse battery and over voltage protection
 
carlosz

carlosz

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
581
0
Annandale,Va
it all very basic, run the work light as you would normally with a switch, then locate the reverse light feed signal from reverse swithch to light... cut said factory feed, install a diode... now wire the signal wire from work light into the anode side of the diode.. the cathode gets the output to the reverse... that way if you shift in reverse the work lamp and the factory reverse light will come on regardless of aux switch position but when you flip the aux switch on off independently you will control the work light only.
the basic is a "Y" or "T" connection with a diode at the intersection.
 
Rover_Hokie

Rover_Hokie

Well-known member
Jun 7, 2008
355
0
Roanoke Valley, VA
OK guys, I have been wanting to do this, and I agree it sounds simple as long as you are familiar with the electrical diodes and anodes, which I am not.

So, if I add inline the diode pictured from the Amazon link, I should be OK. Now, the diode is the name for one side of it and the "anode" is the name of the other side of it? Are they clearly marked and more or less dummy proof? I do remember these terms vaguely, but that will probably not get it done. Dad was my electrical zener diode, rectifier, anode, whatever else guy, and he is gone now. So, a little help here would be appreciated.

What I have done on my '01 D2 is put '03-'04 clear/red rear bumper lights in and wired the backup lights in the bumper and added yellow bulbs to the '99-02 reverse light sockets in the upper tail light housing and wired the turn signals to there. I also cut the factory rear fog light wires at the rear and rewired the rear bumper lights to work with the tail lights. The goal was to have more tail light and then have the rear fog switch with factory wire already installed to run the rear aux/work lights. So, I think what I need to do is wire the rear fog light wiring to a relay to handle the load a pair of rear work lights may draw, and then do the diode/anode inline install on the factory wire side of the aux/work light relay. Does that sound right?

Now, I just need to make sure I have the diode and anode install correct. Thanks for your patience and hopefully some very elementary assistance on this.
 
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Rover_Hokie

Rover_Hokie

Well-known member
Jun 7, 2008
355
0
Roanoke Valley, VA
I did a little more digging and what appears to be a "basic" answer to a neat little device that I have been needing on a few projects on my rover and my boat. I should of done more research sooner.

From Ask.com

What does a diode do?

A diode is a two-terminal device. This device allows a current to flow in one direction only. It also uses a semiconductor that consists of a p-n junction. :D
 
Coldwater

Coldwater

Well-known member
Jul 1, 2011
81
0
Arvada CO
This is nice. I have been wanting to do this same thing. I just got a pair of Rigid Industries Dually LED lights!!!! Excellent lights! Right now I just have them installed to activate in reverse.

If someone can answer this I would love to know what to do. I have an Aux. light switch, like this one
DSC00959_-01.jpg


Dose anyone know how I can wire this switch up?
 
nosivad_bor

nosivad_bor

Well-known member
Mar 27, 2004
6,060
63
Pittsburgh, PA
I will be using the Disco1 version of that switch, and I know how to wire it. I'll take some epicures and post back. I can tell you trick number one is to but the plastic harness and pins to allow you to plug right into the back, from www.expeditionexchange.com

http://www.expeditionexchange.com/cart/product.php?productid=19291

Not sure if that fits your switch but usually there is just a plastic rib that needs shaved off to make it fit.


I'll get pict's and part numbers for the diode install next weekend.
 
Coldwater

Coldwater

Well-known member
Jul 1, 2011
81
0
Arvada CO
nosivad_bor said:
I will be using the Disco1 version of that switch, and I know how to wire it. I'll take some epicures and post back. I can tell you trick number one is to but the plastic harness and pins to allow you to plug right into the back, from www.expeditionexchange.com

http://www.expeditionexchange.com/cart/product.php?productid=19291

Not sure if that fits your switch but usually there is just a plastic rib that needs shaved off to make it fit.


I'll get pict's and part numbers for the diode install next weekend.
Click to expand...

That would be nice to see some pics. But what I really just need to know is what pins do what for the switch. I know my cruse plug does not fit the switch I have. I did not think about the plug from expedition exchange, your right about just shaving off a tab. I will have to get one of those.
 
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