Extra reversing light

[Greyfox]

Thinking of adding an auxillary LED reverse light, maybe mounted to the back of the roof rack above the back door.
The idea is to give more light when reversing.
I was thinking of a square work light jobby with or without a handle.
I could use this as a work light also , with the correct wiring of course.
Or a 10" led light bar.

I have a couple of questions
1) is it legal in NSW for rego purposes to have a hi mount extra reverse light.
2) if it is legal what are you guys ( and girls) using and finding that works best
3) what is the best location height for the extra light ie, up high or down low.
4) at this stage I have not got a reversing camera, but that is on the short list, I take it the extra light would be good for night time camera use.

I would not use the light as a work light to often but may be handy when hooking up a trailer in the dark.

The reason I want an extra light is so I don't run over the water meter in the dark
SWMBO, says move the water meter, I like the idea of an extra light better.

Thanks in advance for any help or ideas

[Fraz]

I have 2 work lights facing backwards under the rear lip of my 130 tub. I just run them off a seperate switch and flick them on when its too dark. Will never be a problem with rego. I believe most mount one work light above your spare and run off a switch as I have done without issues

[rar110]

I have a work light on the roof rack on passenger side above the cargo door. Great for reversing or setting up in the dark. I have a switch on the dash and above the cargo door.

I can't see why such a setup would breach road rules.

[noogie]

I've got two round 27w led lights either side of rear door just above the gutter in each corner.
They are hooked up to a seperate toggle switch and pump out a heap of light. Great for reversing and night drives.
I have them mounted on L shaped brackets, so I can swivel them side to side as needed when camping.

Just installed two led light strips in the rear cargo area and one that goes across the full width of inner roof lining above the two front seats.

All operate of individual switches, so now I have mountains of light when needed. I hate scratching around in the dark, especially when camping.
Work great!

Next I'll fix a couple of led strips under my awning and have it wired to a 12 cigarette lighter socket which will go straight into 12v sockets in cargo area. Be great for camp kitchen area.


:D

[nedflanders]

I was thinking of changing my rear fog light (its a UK car) to a reverse light instead. That would free up a dash switch for the LED lightbar :)

[Corgie Carrier]

I have a 24w led square light on the rear wired up to a 3 way switch, on, off & reverse. I leave it switched to reverse for legal reasons but when camping I can switch it on.

It is illegal to have rear facing white lights on a seperate switch and some cops will defect you for this, but if it is wired through the reverse lights it is ok. I have been questioned about mine quite a few times and I just put the car in reverse and thats fine with them.

Neale

[mistajoel]

I've actually got my 16w LED worklight mounted on the top of my highlift jack, which is mounted on the spare wheel. Nice and high, throws a good spread of light a good 20-30m. Got a switch that runs it on the dash, and also got it wired to the reversing lights at the back, with a diode inline so the switch on the dash only runs the worklight, not feeding power into the reversing lights ;)

I'd improve my system by mounting the light on an extendable pole to make it more useable when the door is open around the campsite :D


__________________
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'96 Disco 300tdi

[Bushie]

Thinking of adding an auxillary LED reverse light, maybe mounted to the back of the roof rack above the back door.
The idea is to give more light when reversing.
I was thinking of a square work light jobby with or without a handle.
I could use this as a work light also , with the correct wiring of course.
Or a 10" led light bar.

I have a couple of questions
1) is it legal in NSW for rego purposes to have a hi mount extra reverse light.
2) if it is legal what are you guys ( and girls) using and finding that works best
3) what is the best location height for the extra light ie, up high or down low.
4) at this stage I have not got a reversing camera, but that is on the short list, I take it the extra light would be good for night time camera use.

I would not use the light as a work light to often but may be handy when hooking up a trailer in the dark.

The reason I want an extra light is so I don't run over the water meter in the dark
SWMBO, says move the water meter, I like the idea of an extra light better.

Thanks in advance for any help or ideas

Rather than add an auxilliary light, think about just replacing the reversing light with an LED job. much more bang for your buck and very easy to do.

I do also have a high separately switched 'work' LED light.


Martyn

[Tikka7mm08]

I was thinking of changing my rear fog light (its a UK car) to a reverse light instead. That would free up a dash switch for the LED lightbar :)

I thinking of doing the same just changing to a clear lens. My LED lightbar is hooked up to its own switch already... the current large red lamp is a bit redundant otherwise.

[JamesB71]

Does the clear lens replace the red one as a straight swap?

[Leroy_Riding]

is what people saying in here, that a rear work light is illegal if it can be switched on independent of your reverse lights? 0_0
Leroy

[JamesB71]

I hope thats not true. I plan on having 10 inch bars on both sides and the back, all independently switched.

[Benz]

Does the clear lens replace the red one as a straight swap?

yep and you might even be lucky enough for there to be a plug for the reverse lights in behind the panel. well I was anyways

[JamesB71]

Does anyone have a recommended source for the clear lens?

[Blade74]

I mounted an Led work light between the towbar and mud flap on both sides.
Fits nicely and gives plenty of light.
Currently wired up to the reverse light but will change to a switch later.
Still have my reverse light connected as well with a brighter LED globe which gives a bit extra light.
Less chance ill reverse over Logs or small Children at night. ;-)

[Leroy_Riding]

has anyone tried a ebay LED light bar out as a work light? they seem cheaper than 'work lights' and I have one on the front of my Defender and the amount of light is phenomenal, I would love that amount of light out the back when reversing in a camp sight or on a track.

is there any differences in light bars vs work lights?

Leroy

[Corgie Carrier]

is what people saying in here, that a rear work light is illegal if it can be switched on independent of your reverse lights? 0_0
Leroy

It IS illegal to have a white light to the rear except for reverse lights.

Some people used to put driving lights on the rear of their cars and if someone came up behind them with lights on high beam they would turn the rear driving light on. So if it can be turned on from the drivers seat the car is technically unroadworthy and I have known of cars having to be trailered home because of it.

A lot depends on the cop and your attitude as to how severe the action is.

The switch on mine is just inside the back door so can be used as a camp light only when the truck is parked and the few times I have been questioned about it, this has satisfied them and deemed legal.

There are thousands of 4x4s out there with led and other lights to the rear, but it is technically illegal if a cop wants to put you off the road he can.

Hope this helps

Neale

[Bigbjorn]

Check the ADR website. There is specific regulation about reversing lights and their location.

[newhue]

I was thinking of changing my rear fog light (its a UK car) to a reverse light instead. That would free up a dash switch for the LED lightbar :)

That's exactly what I did. Put another white light where the red was and wired it to the original white. I just slip the Trans into neutral while the g box is in reverse and hey presto, reverse lights become work lights.