Back Up Lights..

[Mike]

Hey guys... Question.. I went to pep boys and got some cheep fogs... and i mounted them on the back of my truck as back up lights.... but i would like to have them wired to a switch... now.. my prob is i want them to come on when im in rev. and when i hit the switch... right now i have them wired into the back up lights,.. i just cut the fac wire and spliced them in... does anyone have pics of a wireing diagram? or could tell me how to do this? Im not dumb when it comes to this stuff.. but i just cant figure out how i could get a switch to work but also to allow the lights to come on when i put the truck in rev.. i mean if i put a switch in it would stop them from comming on when the truck is in rev? no? but also when i wanted to use the switch it would also power the fac rev light? sorry for the typing and spelling its 2 am and i have been up since 8 am yesterday =P its gona be nice tomorrow and i wana rewire my truck so everything looks nice... also while im typing this.. i know a few of you with 95+ X's have turned the tissue holder into a light pannel... what have u used and how have you done this?



thanks a lot guys...


Mike

 

[Alec]

For my tissue holder switch panel, I just took a spare piece of 1/8" plastic sheet and epoxied it to the console piece. Then I just drilled my holes.

As for the backups, I think you can just wire 2 parallel switch circuits through the relay; 1 to the stock light splice and 1 to the switch. This way wont make your stock light come on with the switch. I don't know if you have it setup now through a relay, but that's the way it should be done for best safety and function.

 

[Mike]

ya no relay... other then the one that came with the fogs.... thats about it.. and its spliced right into the factory wires..



Mike

 

[Mike]

come on guys... its 90 out side and its sooooo nice.... and i wana do this today... can anyone help me with this? matt? anyone??!?!

 

[mattadams]

I believe the answer to your question would a single-position, dual-throw (SPDT) switch. At least I think. I'll let you know for certain as I may be doing this soon (I'm taking on a massive rewiring project for the explorer and that is one of the things ont he list to do)

 

[JDraper]

Matt's right, a SPDT switch will do the trick. A SPDT switch allows you to wire your lights to two different power sources. You need a switch with on-off-on action. The center post is your output, one of the outside posts is connected to your backup light circuit, the other to a 12V ignition source. In the center position, the lights will be off. Throw the toggle one way the lights will work when the truck is on, the other way, only when the truck is in reverse.

 

[beavis195]

Thank goodness you came up with this thread! I wired mine the way bigtigexplorer did and I kept blowing fuses left and right. I'm going to try the dual switch thing thanks!

 

[Mike]

does anyone have a wireing diagram for this? matt? u think you could make somthing up for me? im still not to shure how to do this....


Mike

 

[mattadams]

I think you oughtta learn the way I did... try something, if it doesn't work you blow a fuse, try again, LOL. Seriously I don't have a wiring diagram as I have never even used a SPDT switch before.

 

[Mike]

how else should i do it then matt? should i just not have it go on witht he truck in rev? and just use a switch? im lazy but i guerss i could do that... also while i have ya matt... do you have any more of those piaa decals for the windshield? you sent me one and i haver it on the truck but one of the A's in PIAA is pealing off...


thanks.. Mike

 

[Bill Kemp]

Heres what I did.
I wired the lights up with relay and switch just like the diagram that came with the lights .
I spliced a wire into the back up lights and spliced the other end into the wire from the relay to the lights.
When I put it in reverse the backup & fogs go on. Since the fogs are not getting power from the relay they arnt as bright. Maby 35 out of 55watts possible.
When I switch the fogs on the back up lights come on also.
Basicly I just used a "jumper wire" between the "hot" backup light & the "hot" fog lights wire.
Hope this helps...

 

[Mike]

Yes it does bill.... thanks a lot... i think what im just gona do tho is just wire the lights to a switch... and just flip them on when i need them..

 

[mattadams]

Mikke, I may have another PIAA windshield banner, let me know if you want it.

 

[Mike]

matt if u have one i will take it... i love the way it looks on my truck.. but one letter is pealing off... and it pisses me off every time i look at it!!


:fire: