Question about aux reverse light circuit

[Switch]

I'm planning to add aux reverse lights using a relay as others have done. But I'd also like to be able to switch independently, regardless if key is in ignition. Can I do this using one relay and a diode?
Typical installation (black OEM, Red New circuit):


With extra switch and diode(blue)



Is there a smarter way to do this? How do I size diode?

[DentedTacoma]

Are you sayign that you want it on when you back up and then also whenever you flip a switch? I just did my backup lights a couple weeks ago and at first I thought I did it wrong but then found my battery was gone. If you check my recent posts you can find the diagram I put up to check. It works fine although there could be some more inline fuses.

[LittleRed97]

i think thats a great idea to be able to switch them independently but looks like a lot of wiring. i cannt think of an easier way to have the same capability but im not the best at setting up that stuff just know the basics. good luck im interested to see how it comes out.

[kamaaina1]

Everything you need right here! I just did mine a few days ago. Independent system.
Hope this is what you were after.

http://www.kchilites.com/Add-on-Wiri...y-P504C83.aspx

[Switch]

Originally Posted by DentedTacoma

Are you sayign that you want it on when you back up and then also whenever you flip a switch?

Yes, aux back up lights on in reverse or when I flip switch. Sorry my question was not clear. I updated drawing to show red and blue for these two parts of circuit.

[pinhead4914]

ok the thing is that you will need a two filament bulb and an added hot wire

one filament is to get power from stock lights and the other gets power from your new switch in the cab you can pull a hot off of a battery outlet in fuse box in the cab not acc. outlet since acc outlet is only on when the key is in the ignition and on acc or run

continued on next

[pinhead4914]

this way you have two circuits to the same bulb
if you do not use a dual filament bulb in this process the stock lights will come on when you use aux lighting if that is ok with you then use a single filament bulb and they will come on every time you put it in reverse

if you do it this way aka running straight from stock lights the one filament will come on every time you use reverse and the other will only come on when you tell it to "IF THEY ARE LEFT ON IN THE CAB AND ARE RUN FROM BAT THIS WILL KILL YOUR BATT."

IF YOU DO NOT WANT THEM TO COME ON UNLESS YOU TELL THEM TO
then you must start at the cab with both lines one from stock wire just after stock reverse switch to your switch and the other from batt line to another switch other wise the stock reverse lights will come on every time you use your custom lights

hope this helps

[elliot_irwin]

wont the diode stop the factory lights from coming on when running the lights with the switch?

[Merkaba55]

READ THIS LINK!
http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21166

these pics are from a 97 tacoma, my connecter location was the same as wroosters article, but where the wire sat in the connector was different. same color- red/w black tracer.
I dont know if its similar for an 06



tapping into this wire found under the drivers seat will show voltage when in reverse and no voltage when its not. hook this up to a 3 way switch on one side (auto) and send the other end to your relay, then for the other side (on) just find a 12 volt acc or constant wire. when the switch is flipped in the on position it will trigger the relay, when in the auto position it will trigger the relay only when in reverse...middle position is off. I didnt use a diode...unless it was built into the relay?

[Switch]

Originally Posted by elliot_irwin

wont the diode stop the factory lights from coming on when running the lights with the switch?

Yes, the purpose of the diode is to prevent power from the manual switch from getting to the OEM reverse lights. I don't think powering lights though a switch is a good idea. Plus I'm only tapping into the wire on one side. I've got two 55w Aux reverse lights now, so I don't care about being able to manually switch the OEM reverse lights.

[Switch]

[quote=Merkaba55;1134885]READ THIS LINK!
http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21166

Yea, I read that plus several others on this forum, yotatech, and toyota nation.

I was just going to tap the power wire to the reverse light and locate the relay in the tail light assembly. Is there an advantage to tapping into the wire under the seat instead?

[Merkaba55]

[quote=arott;1134964]

Originally Posted by Merkaba55

READ THIS LINK!
http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21166

Yea, I read that plus several others on this forum, yotatech, and toyota nation.

I was just going to tap the power wire to the reverse light and locate the relay in the tail light assembly. Is there an advantage to tapping into the wire under the seat instead?

No, other than convienence...I tapped from there cause its somewhat close to the dash switch. My relays are in the cubby hole behind the drivers seat.

[pinhead4914]

I'm planning to add aux reverse lights using a relay as others have done. But I'd also like to be able to switch independently, regardless if key is in ignition. Can I do this using one relay and a diode?

do you want a constant hot where are you getting power ???
if the truck is off none of those wires back there are hot.
full functionality is the key right.

do you want to have your running lights on to use your aux lights?
if not you need to run a hot line, if you dont mind then hook off of your running for hot acc line.

if you put your switch on the ground what is the fault?
if it is on the hot side you will burn your switch

[Switch]

Originally Posted by pinhead4914

do you want a constant hot where are you getting power ???
if the truck is off none of those wires back there are hot.
full functionality is the key right.

do you want to have your running lights on to use your aux lights?
if not you need to run a hot line, if you dont mind then hook off of your running for hot acc line.

if you put your switch on the ground what is the fault?
if it is on the hot side you will burn your switch

Two goals:
1) I want to have OEM reverse lights plus aux reverse lights come on when I put in reverse when the engine is running. Basically the way the OEM reverse lights work now.

2) A switch that lights up the Aux reverse lights when key is not in ignition.

[Merkaba55]

Originally Posted by arott

Two goals:
1) I want to have OEM reverse lights plus aux reverse lights come on when I put in reverse when the engine is running. Basically the way the OEM reverse lights work now.

2) A switch that lights up the Aux reverse lights when key is not in ignition.

its in that link you "read" from wrooster.

[Switch]

Originally Posted by Merkaba55

its in that link you "read" from wrooster.

OK you got me. I obviously did not read post #64

That will work obviously. Thanks for your patience.

[Merkaba55]

Originally Posted by arott

That will work obviously. Thanks for your patience.

no problem!

enjoy your new backup lights.

[LittleRed97]

im interested in doing something like this in the future. i understand all of the wring but, where do you find a switch like this?

[Switch]

Originally Posted by LittleRed97

im interested in doing something like this in the future. i understand all of the wring but, where do you find a switch like this?

I've been using Cole Hersee Contra Switches from West Marine for my aux switch panel.

In general, I trust marine supliers over autoparts stores because the coast guard charges more for a tow than AAA.


That said, I was hoping to use OEM Fog Light Switches for this particular circuit, because I was going to locate the switch in one of the blank OEM switch locations. From what I've read, to use OEM Fog light switches you would need:

Toyota Tacoma Fog Light Switch (84160-04010)
Toyota Connector Housing (90980-11090)
Termainal Wires for Connector (82998-12340 4)
(search these part numbers on yotatech or toyotanation to get more info)

At present, I've decided to test the diode circuit, which would allow me to use the OEM Fog Light Switch (84160-04010, AKA SPST) for aux reverse instead of an aftermarket SPDT switch. All of the aux switch panel locations in my rig are spoken for...

[EDIT 02/18/08: Installed using OEM fog light switch and two diodes, works great].