reverse lights question

Submitted: Thursday, Nov 27, 2014 at 22:02

ThreadID: 110266 Views:4086 Replies:5 FollowUps:4

This Thread has been Archived

4wheelfun

hi I haven't been on this forum for years so I hope I'm in the right place, ok, I have a 2006 rodeo tray back 4wd, I bought it second hand, it has no reverse lights, it has led turn signals and led stop/tail lights, but no reverse. I have bought a pair of led type work/spot/reverse light off ebay. Would the wiring harness going to the back of the vehicle already have the reverse wire there somewhere just waiting for me to connect my 2 lights or is this going to be a hard job and I have to run a wire back to the fuse box or something?

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: SDG - Thursday, Nov 27, 2014 at 22:29

Reply By: Athol W1 - Friday, Nov 28, 2014 at 09:04

Friday, Nov 28, 2014 at 09:04

4wheelfun
There has been a legal requirement for all motor vehicles (except trailers and motorcycles) to be fitted with at least 1 reversing light since 1975, and in the case of light vehicles since 08/1972. The requirement did change around 1988 to read that the reversing light(s) fitted must be white in colour. There is also a maximum strength for these lights so you can not use driving type lights, even the typical work light normally exceeds this permitted strength but suitably fitted and aimed low would probably not attract any undesired attention.

The wiring for these lights would have to be there in the original wiring loom and it will only be live when in reverse gear with the ignition on. Be aware that the original wiring and switches would only be rated for about a 4 amp load (2 lights of 21 watts = 3.6 amps)

Hope this helps.
Athol

AnswerID: 542271

Follow Up By: Zippo - Friday, Nov 28, 2014 at 11:20

Friday, Nov 28, 2014 at 11:20

Athol, good to know you're still around with your seemingly endless fund of knowledge on vehicle engineering and standards. You ARE missed on that interminable piss-fight called aus.cars ...

FollowupID: 828553

Follow Up By: The Bantam - Friday, Nov 28, 2014 at 11:50

Friday, Nov 28, 2014 at 11:50

Yeh the legal requirement for reversing lights has been arround for some time.
From My reading, the specifoications have been relaxed a little recently.
In the past you where allowed 20 watts total of incandesant lamps.

If you go to the ADRs ther is now a light intensity and pattern specified.

It works out that you can run some low power work lght type fittings.

Most of the diesel spares shops will have a low power led flood/work light to fit the spec.....it will typically be arround 18-20 watts LED....of those you can use one and it must be at the height specified and aimed to achieve no more than the maximim permitted light above the horisontal.

I worked out the specs a while ago when I reworked the rear of my 4wd ute.
I found that a pair of 50mm 10 watt cree worklights if aimed sensibly where not quite within spec but so close that I am unlikly to come to any undue attention.

Typically the factory reverse light lamp in the not that new vehicles was a 10 watt globe, so no realys required and no surprises.

BTW.....from memory on a toyota reverse lights should be red with a black stripe.

There will be...or there should have been multipin plugs both sides that have the indicator for that side, park, stop and reverse light connections and an eartn return.

white black for earth
green black for left flash
yellow black for right flash
greem white for stop
green for parkers
red black for reverse

cheers