Reverse Light

Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 12:54
ThreadID: 50189 Views:3379 Replies:6 FollowUps:7
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Hi all, looking at installing an additional reverse light onto my challenger near the number plate...As often the factory reverse light is too low \ dull to really see anything.

Would also be nice to have the option to turn on via a switch, for camping etc...

Anyone done this before and have any tips, wiring diagrams ?

Also any legal issues ?
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Reply By: Member - Karl - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 14:48

Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 14:48
Not sure if this is will help you but I recently had two small 55 watt driving lights from Supercheap installed under the rear bumper of my Cruiser and had then directly wired to the standard reverse lights so that when I reverse it lights up the rear of the vehicl therefore lighting up the road.

The lights are protected by the tow bar and work a treat.

AFAIK - any light facing rear ward can not be greater than 55 watt.

Others have also attached a single rear facing light on extendable poles to their wheels carriers to provide the additional lighting required.

Karl
AnswerID: 264713

Follow Up By: Member -Signman - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 15:10

Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 15:10
Are you using the standard wiring/fuse to power an EXTRA 110w with the existing globes?? That's about a 10AMP draw !!
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FollowupID: 526516

Follow Up By: ben_gv3 - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 15:11

Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 15:11
It may not be a good idea to wire it directly to the reverse light circuit unless there is power coming directly from the battery. I believe reverse lights are 40W (2 lights at 20w each) but now you've got another 110W (2 x 55w) in the circuit which may result in cooked wiring. The factory wiring may hold up but I if it was me I would run wiring directly to the battery.
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FollowupID: 526517

Follow Up By: Member - Karl - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 17:44

Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 17:44
An auto sparkie did it for me - told him what I wanted and he did it.

So far works perfect.

BTW the reverse lights are only on for the time it takes me to reverse out of a situation - usually less than a minute or so.

It is a fairly common mod thats getting done here in WA at the moment.

Karl
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Reply By: baza - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 15:35

Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 15:35
I would go with the same wiring 'design' as a set of driving lights, just tap into the reverse light instead of the high beam circuit to active the relay (i.e light wired direct to battery).
AnswerID: 264723

Follow Up By: nickb - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 17:09

Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 17:09
I agree, you should wire it through a relay so it switches on the lights when either reversing or via a switch in the cab (or cargo area).

I have a mate who wired his back spot lights(2x55W) to his reverse lights. It was good for about 6mths then the reverse switch on the gearbox burnt out! He never got round to fixing it, he just put a switch in the cab...
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FollowupID: 526529

Reply By: CYPHER-CHLNGER - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 17:58

Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 17:58
Thanks Everyone for your help as usual....giving me some great ideas
AnswerID: 264742

Reply By: Member - Franga (QLD) - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 18:56

Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 18:56
Hey this is frangas son, i am a first year Apprentice Auto sparky, as far as i know it is not wise to run extra lights off the reverse light wire because the reverse switch cant handle the load and will eventual burn out. When wiring the light up i would put an ON OFF ON switch in the dash so u can flick it one way and put it in reverse so it works when in reverse, then flick it the other way will turn it on straight away, when wiring it make sure it is all run through a relay so nothing will burn out.

Let me know how you go.

Cheers frangas son
AnswerID: 264758

Reply By: Muddy doe (SA) - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 21:39

Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 21:39
We have two 55w worklights mounted on the rear of the roof rack used as worklights or for reversing when in dark situations or out in the scrub. VERY handy.

They are wired from battery totally seperate from the vehicle reversing lights and have an on/off rocker switch on the dash. I prefer being able to switch them on only when I actually need them. Can be a pain just in city if they were wired in all the time to the reversing lights.

Also if you DO want to use them as worklights (once you do it once you will want to do it all the time), if they are independently wired you can use them whenever you want, without having to put the vehicle in reverse (unless you wire in an overide - more complexity) and can leave them on for a longer time without overheating any wiring (subject to battery capacity!).

I got a switch for the dash that has an led in it so I can see if I accidently knock the switch on. Not a good idea to have 110w of rear facing lighting on going down the highway!

Cheers
Muddy
AnswerID: 264787

Follow Up By: BIG_red87 - Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 12:15

Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 12:15
haha that'd be good for when bastards are tailgaiting you too...
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FollowupID: 526668

Follow Up By: Muddy doe (SA) - Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 12:30

Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 12:30
Trust me.... I have been VERY tempted a few times!

Cheers
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FollowupID: 526673

Follow Up By: Nick R (VIC) - Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 18:32

Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 18:32
I wanted a rear facing set back in january, was tailgated by someone who also insisted on having their high beams on, HIDs would have been good then.......
NickR
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FollowupID: 526731

Reply By: Brian (VIC) - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 21:49

Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 21:49
I bolted 1/2 of a set of super cheap mini driving lights to my tow bar on my Triton, took a feed from the active going to the lights into a switch to power a relay and down to the spottie (55w). Works a treat no I don't back into the carport posts at night any more!
AnswerID: 264789

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