Reverse light on a pole

Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 09:52
ThreadID: 15254 Views:1925 Replies:4 FollowUps:8
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I bought the light and a bit of steel, now all I need to know is what is the best way to wire it up. It's one of those lights that sits above the spare. I want it come on when i select reverse or manually when i switch it from the dash. I realise I need a relay but what is the connection to the lights. Do i just take a feed from either the reverse lights or the switch to kick in the relay and connect them to the same terminal? I was wondering if thats right or not, doesn't connecting possibly two positives to the same terminal cause confusion for the poor little relay?
Help please
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Reply By: Utemad - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 10:12

Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 10:12
I am looking at doing ths myself.

What I was going to do was-
(1) Run the work light off a relay
(2) Use a switch with two on positions and one off
(3) Take a feed from the existing reverse lights and run that through the switch
(4) Run a feed from the battery through the switch.

This will allow for the existing reverse lights to operate with or without the work light. Will also allow the work light (and the reverse lights) to be on with the engine running (without the vehicle running away lol). You will also be able to operate the lights with the engine off.

The method you have suggested will work fine but the work light will come on whenever you select reverse. Not a real problem but my neighbours probably wouldn't like it shining through their windows when I'm in my driveway.
You can connect both feeds to the same terminal on the relay. All that it will mean is that you will have the reverse lights on with the work light.

If you have dual batteries it would be a good idea to have the relay power coming from your second one in case you forget to turn it off.

Hope this makes ome sense to you.

Just think it is no different to hooking up spotlights except for the reverse wire connection (and no high beam connection).

Utemad
AnswerID: 71031

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 10:25

Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 10:25
Legally you must run lights on back of car off the reverse lights.

Im using some of that coily cable from Jaycar, like phone cord for the power.

I took the power from the reversing lights, cut into the cable there.

Also did the cheap piece of box section and a hella 181 for mine.. Works a treat, adn $130 cheaper than the Kaymar one.
AnswerID: 71035

Reply By: Member - AndrewPatrol - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 10:35

Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 10:35
Thanks Ute and T'ster,
just the sort of info I was after. looks like a visit to one of a blokes other favourite shops coming up!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
AnswerID: 71037

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 11:11

Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 11:11
My missus wont let me go to jaycar anymore.. If i need something she goes for me, or escorts me in there :(
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Follow Up By: Member - AndrewPatrol - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 18:57

Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 18:57
So how do you get on if you need something from Total Tools
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 23:00

Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 23:00
she doesnt know about that yet...
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Reply By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 10:44

Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 10:44
Andrew,
The 2 worklights I have are mounted on the back of my roof rack (it's a permanent addition to my Patrol).
I've wired them together through a 2 position switch and have added a green flashing LED to remind when they're on.
Both position of the switch are "ON".
One position (which I leave it in all the time virtually) makes them come when i select reverse.
The other position is what I use to remind sleepy drivers behind me that they may have forgotten to dip their high beam etc and I also use them when setting up the camper at night.
They are powered off 2nd battery.
I cut a small amount of insulation off the wire of the reverse light and soldered a wire to it. (covered the join with that magic liquid insulation material, which sets like tape). Ran that wire back along the chassis to one side of the switch on dash. Centre pole of the switch goes to the relay "SWITCH" tab. Other "ON" pole of the switch goes to the relay also and joins with the wire from 2nd battery for power in to relay.
Hope this makes sense. It's the same as one of the other blokes has said, except I haven't bothered about a "CENTRE OFF" option; which isn't a bad idea.
Cya
AnswerID: 71039

Follow Up By: MrBitchi - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 12:23

Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 12:23
Just be careful that "sleepy driver behind me" doesn't have a blue uniform on.......
John
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 12:42

Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 12:42
blue uniform or not, if they are high beaming you, it would be worth it.. LMAO
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Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 13:51

Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 13:51
If he's got a blue uniform on he should know better anyway. Also, I'd argue that because he was blinding me, I accidently put the truck into reverse (@ 100klm/h mind you). He'd probably argue that it can't be done....I'd say, well it can in a Nissan; not dunnydoor!!!
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Follow Up By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 15:03

Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 15:03
Roachie, just tell Nissan the reverse gear let go and you don't have any idea how it ended up in 3,000,000,000 pieces!
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Aug 04, 2004 at 12:44

Wednesday, Aug 04, 2004 at 12:44
its not a 3.0 LMAO they couldnt believe it
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