Building a Flip-Flop circuit with relays?

[R_Lefebvre]

I'm looking to build a circuit to power a reverse light system using relays and an existing momentary pushbutton on my dashboard. The setup would be cake if I was just using a basic switch and relay, but I'd like to use the "rear foglight" switch on my Disco, and it's a momentary switch.

Is there a way to use simple relays to create a flip-flop or latching relay system?

 

[MoGas]

I have done something like this before. I'll see if I can draw something up for you. Are you not going to use the rear fogs any more? You could just use the existing wiring then.

What conditions do you want to be able to turn the lights on and off? For example, Do you want to be able to turn them on manually only in reverse and have them go off automatically as you move the shifter out of reverse? (easiest set up) Do you want to turn them on and off by the switch only?

LMK,
Dave

 

[madizell]

My CJ-7 has HID back-ups which work through a relay. I did much as you suggest, and it was easy. The relay that fires up the lights needs a 12V trigger source. It can have more than one source. In this instance I used the back-up light wiring from the transmission as one such source, and an independent switch as a second source. The two sources are connected to the same relay, so that the relay is activated by using reverse, or by turning on the switch. It is not a flip-flop circuit, nor does it require alternate relays. Only an alternate trigger source.

 

[ntsqd]

A Latching Relay hidden under the dash to control the more typical Bosch style relay?

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Well, I don't know about the rear fog lights. I'll be replacing the rear bumper with a steel one, and I'm not sure I'd bother with them. As it is, I have to figure out if I'll need to put reverse lights into the bumper, since that's where they are now, or if I can get away with using the work lights as reverse lights? I'm not sure of the exact legal requirement for reverse lights, the work lights will be quite high.

The reason I can't just wire the work lights through the rear fog light circuit, is because it is a momentary button which sends a signal to the body control unit, which then turns the lights on. It will not turn the lights on unless the truck is running. But, I want to be able to use the worklights with the truck off.

That is why I need to rewire with a new relay system anyway.

At this point, I just want to be able to turn the lights on and off whether the engine is running or not, with a push of this button, which is a momentary button. Thus the need for a latching relay.

I'm less concerned about the lights coming on with the reverse lights. I think I'd rather just to that manually as required.

NTSQD, cool, thanks. I'm hoping to pull if off without hard to find devices, but I'll use that if I can't figure another way.

 

[michaels]

you might want to put this in the land rover section. lots of people have done it on the specific vehicle you're talking about.

cheers.