Improving GU Reversing Light
Submitted: Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 13:33
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24226
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Pluto
I have been considering how to improve the illumination for reversing. The GU reversing light does not provide enough light to properly illuminate the area behind the vehicle. The various enquiries I have made, suggest that upgrading the existing reversing light will not improve the situation. I was wondering how other forumites have tackled this problem?
I’m also looking at supplementing the reverse light with a spare wheel mounted work light, that could also be used to light the area while making
camp etc. How effective and versatile are these lights? Apart from Kaymar, are there any other lights of this style on the market?
Reply By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 13:37
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 13:37
Hi Pluto
I had the same problem and bought 2 little round spotties and mounted them on the back bar and hooked em up to the reversing wire so when ever I put the car in reverse they come on, it works a treat and when you need light at night time behind the car just put the car in reverse and turn the key to acc and away you go. I can send you a
pic if you like
AnswerID:
117703
Follow Up By: Pluto - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 13:47
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 13:47
Hi Troll,
I would apperciate a
pic. I'd like to see how you have them mounted. Every installer I have spoken to insists that they go under the bumper. That of course is going to last about five minutes.
FollowupID:
373007
Follow Up By: flappa - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 14:00
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 14:00
I know a couple of guys that have them fitted to their Roof Racks. Seem to work
well.
I put
mine UNDER the bumper.
Wasn't five minutes , but only fractionally longer.
FollowupID:
373013
Follow Up By: Pluto - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 14:05
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 14:05
I've seen the roof rack trick before. It's a good idea, if you have one mounted permanently. I avoid using a roofrack when ever I can.
FollowupID:
373015
Reply By: GUPatrol - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 13:38
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 13:38
I installed the genuine Arab Spec lights which have the correct lenses/wiring etc.
They have the yellow indicators park and brake and both reversing lights, that way it is still ADR compliant and reverse light is adecuate.
You can get them from Nissan dealers or from this site:
http://www.offroadshop.com.au/
AnswerID:
117704
Follow Up By: Pluto - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 13:48
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 13:48
Thanks for that. I'll look into it.
FollowupID:
373008
Reply By: Member - Sam (NSW) - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 13:43
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 13:43
Although I don't have a GU, I had a similar problem with my Hilux. More so due to having to look though about 3 layers of tint(rear window, front of canopy and rear of canopy). I fitted up a couple of 55w Narva work lights on either side that are switched via the reversing circuit. Makes a hell of a difference.
AnswerID:
117705
Follow Up By: Pluto - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 13:54
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 13:54
Sam,
Where did you fit them. There aren't many placement options, as far as I can see.
FollowupID:
373011
Follow Up By: Member - Sam (NSW) - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 14:49
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 14:49
On the hilux there were a couple of rubber bumper/stopper things on either side just below the tailgate. I made up some brackets and made use of the existing holes to mount the brackets to which the lights were secured. As they hung down I also welded on some protective sheet metal to protect the lights.
They fit between the twin tube rear bar I have. Also made up an extension for one light for when I fit my rear wheel carrier as it fouls on the light and blocks it. So put a bracked on the carrier to hold the light. and just put an extension lead i made up in for the wiring.
Only place would be to maybe make up some bracket that bolts onto the spare wheel bracket?
FollowupID:
373031
Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 13:46
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 13:46
Hi Pluto,
I have a rear mounted Hella worklight, the typical one with the handle to allow manual adjustement thats mounted above the rear spare wheel. I have made it removable to prevent theft and only put it on as required (RHS tube simply slides into bracket and power socket connected).
I have toyed with the idea of hooking it into the reversing light and using a relay to enable operation automatically in reverse, but have found its easier to simply manually turn on as required. Although its a broad spread beam, it is still rather directional at close range hence the need to adjust manually on each situation. i reckon multiple small lights would be required if you did not want to continually adjust where the "worklight' was pointing.
Your welcome to
check my setup out if you want, but I don't think its really what you are after. The worklight is great for say setting up
camp etc, but IMHO you need multiple small lights for good rear coverage.
Cheers
Captain
AnswerID:
117706
Follow Up By: Pluto - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 13:53
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 13:53
Thanks for the offer Captain, I'll email you.
FollowupID:
373010
Follow Up By: muzzgit (WA) - Tuesday, Jun 28, 2005 at 00:52
Tuesday, Jun 28, 2005 at 00:52
Hi Captain. I had the same set up as yours on an FJ45 dualcab ute a few years back, but got busted by Mr Plod after I forgot to switch it off and was cruising down the road shining into his eyes.
DOH !!
He made me cut the wiring right there and then, as it is illegal to have a rear facing light that is not hooked into the reverse switch.
Cheers,
Muzz
FollowupID:
373118
Reply By: GUPatrol - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 13:58
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 13:58
For those who connect Hella 55w lights and the like, remember that they need to be connected through a relay.
The gearbox switch that turns on the reversing light is not rated for more than 50w let alone two hellas 110w + original light 21w....
Will
AnswerID:
117709
Follow Up By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 14:29
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 14:29
Hi Will
I just tapped into the wire that goes into the reversing light...I am running 2 55w. Is the way I did it wrong then?
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Sam (NSW) - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 14:54
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 14:54
Factory wiring isn't really rated to handle approx 9w which is the current you would be drawing with two 55W lights. Short stints it would possibly be ok. But not for prolonged use. So add on the additional current needed for anything else on that circuit and you are likely to be over 10amps.
As Will mentioned, better to use the reverse circuit to switch a relay to turn the 55w-ers on and off due to the high current. I have my 55w's running off the 2nd battery so if for whatever reason the relay locks on or something, I dont drain my starter.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 15:01
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 15:01
I have left it for about 15 min one night to provide some light to setup at night time.....guess I should change it. What can happen if I don't change, just a blown fuse or something worse? I think my
parking sensors are connected on the same wire as
well
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Sam (NSW) - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 15:06
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 15:06
Either blow a fuse or burn the wiring out.
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Follow Up By: GUPatrol - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 15:29
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 15:29
Hi again,
Yes tapping into it is not the way to do it.
What you need to do is use the circuit to call a relay, then bring another source of power with its own fuse to power the two 55w halogens.
Tapping directly to the wiring is asking for trouble, things likelly to happen are blown fuse (hopefully) or burn the switch, once the switch in the gearbox is overloaded and starts to melt....
Don't overload the original wiring... either a relay or connect it separately to its own switch but that is illegal!!
Check ADRs you can get booked for it.
Best way is to do it properly and use the correct reversing lights which is what NIssan should have done in the first place....!
Will
FollowupID:
373045
Reply By: Member - Mozza (NSW) - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 14:53
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 14:53
pluto..
i mounted 2 small '
driving lights' .. fixed directly to towbar.. work a treat. wired to their own swtich on the dash.. excellent for late night
camp setting-up!
i have pics if you want ?
AnswerID:
117723
Follow Up By: Member - Sam (NSW) - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 14:57
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 14:57
Just have to be careful with this in regards to the ADR's. I think there is a specification that any rear facing white or reverse light, can only be illuminated when the vehicle is in reverse and the engine running.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Pluto - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 15:05
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 15:05
I've heard the same thing, Sam. Consiering how many work lihgts are attached to vehicles of all sorts, it doesn't look like it's policed.
Mozza,
A photo would be appreciated. MM me.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Sam (NSW) - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 15:10
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 15:10
Provided they aren't on when you are driving, its not a major issue and would be hard to police. Its only if you had some bogey on your six and you decided you'd had enough and flashed the light(s) at them, just when a cop was behind you, would it be a major issue. Also depends on who does your rego. Honest pink slip
places probably wouldn't pass it if they discovered it. Its not hard to rig it up to have both a switch on the dash and also switch it from the reverse circuit.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Sam (NSW) - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 15:14
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 15:14
If anyone would like a circuit diagram for this let me know.
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Reply By: Bonz (Vic) - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 17:02
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 17:02
I bought a couple of small 55w halogens mounted one under the rear step on teh drivers side, only use one though as the wiring wouldnt be up to it methinx, theyre about 35mm x 90mm, picked them up at a cheap joint and have seen the same ones in supercheap cheaper than I gottem for and available in singles damnation hahahahah
AnswerID:
117745
Reply By: rolande- Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 19:46
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 19:46
G'Day Pluto,
Went through all this a couple months ago. Wanted to mount the lights where they WOULDN'T get damaged, which left the vertical part of the rear step, just under the barn doors.
1/ Got a bracket from Opposite Lock to move the spare out and up, left enough room to use the full vertical height of the rear step
2/ fitted a pair of these
Australian Warning Systems
to the rear step wired in to the L/Hand reverse light on the Patrol, removed the orginal globe. The new lights are 35 watt each, so 6 amp total, no worries with original wiring, fuses, etc. ADR compliant and legal. I'm considering replacing the removed globe with a plug in reverse alarm
3/ Used the spare bracket to mount a work light which is internally and externally switched so that I can turn it on if i need more light
Hope this helps
Rolande
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Pluto - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 20:29
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 20:29
That's a good idea Rolande. Definately with considering.
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Reply By: charlies - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 20:03
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 20:03
G'day
I have mounted a rectangular driving light on the rear step below the spare wheel, wired through a relay - works a treat.
Cheers Charlie
AnswerID:
117779
Follow Up By: Pluto - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 20:33
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 20:33
It's worth considering Charlie. One question. Has it suffered any damage from the foot traffic on the step?
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Follow Up By: charlies - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 21:37
Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 21:37
Not at all. Obviously watch where you step, but seriously no problem.
The biggest problem was finding one of the correct dimensions.
Cheers
FollowupID:
373102