Thread: Auxillary Reverse Lights and Wiring Diagram

Help needed please.


I want to put an additional reverse/work light at the rear of my series three wagon. I want to be able to have a switch in the cabin so I can have the extra light come on when reverse is engaged and also be able to turn it off and just have the standard reverse light when I don't need the extra lighting.


I also want to have a switch in the rear of the truck where I can turn the light on independently without having to engage reverse etc. Is this possible? I thought I had an old 4wd magazine which had a wiring diagram showing how to do this but I can't find it.


At this stage I was just going to run it off the main battery as I won't be using it that often and I'm guessing the small LED light I have won't draw too much power.


Many thanks
Vince

what you want to set up as you describe it is not entirely legal, that said.

you need 2 single pole double throw relays a NO momentary make switch, a NC momentary open witch a SPST switch and some wiring stuff.

the first relay you setup as a self energising relay taking its power for delivery to the work light and the relay solenoid from the reverse lights, you ground the relay solenoid through the SPST switch which you mount at the dash.

when you have the switch closed power comes from the reverse lights turns on the relay and then moves the NC contact to the NO contact and power then flows from the reverslights to thework lights (on the common connection. IF you turn the switch off the relay does not energize and the lights stay off or powered from the next bit.

For using as a worklight.

Setup the second relay as a self latching relay. power comes from a fused permanantly on AUX source and goes in on the NO contact. the common contact connects to the NC contact on the previous relay. A momentary close switch connects from the NO contact to the solenoid and a wire connects NC to the solenoid. Earth from the solenoid goes through a NC momentary open switch to the brakelight switch/feed.

Pressing the Momentary close button connects AUX power to the solenoid, the solenoid pulls the contact over and the power now flows to the reverse lights via the reverlight relay. Earth for the solenoid occurs through the brake lights. Pressing the NC momentary open switch breaks the circuit, the relay opens and the lights revert to reverse light control. If you forget the first time you step on the brakes +12 is applied to the earth side of the solenoid, 0V potential exists across the solenoid so it de-energises and then the relay opens turning off the lights and reverting control to the reversing relay.

Diagram to follow.
reverse-worklights relays.jpg