Reverse light / camp light combo

[Schattenjager]

Looking for ideas for a powerful roof rack 12V light(s) that can switch on with the reverse lights as well as be switched on for camp / recovery work. Searching turns up one or the other but I haven't seen a combo yet. Suggestions?

 

[AFSOC]

These are pretty good in a low draw LED. Fiddy five anda half doesn't break the bank either. They have a rectangular housing too if that is more to your taste.

http://prostores1.megawebservers.co...-strse-361/Maxxima-Round-LED-Heavy/Detail.bok

 

[zukrider]

there is no need for a combo. install a relay, that feeds the light directly from the battery. and switch it with the reverse switch wire, as well as a dash switch. or, under that pretense, since you would be powering independently, you could just put the shifter in reverse to light it up in camp. but that would require either a manual trans or a damn good ebrake.

 

[proper4wd]

Seconding the above info.

Just wire it hot all the time with a switched ground. You can switch the ground from an infinite number of sources in the same circuit without backfeeding it. If you switched the pos, you would run into problems if you had the light switched on and then also put the vehicle in reverse. If its the ground thats switched, you're only adding additional paths to ground in that scenario. No problemo

 

[AxeAngel]

Hella dual lamp worklight.

Its what I run powered by two SPST switches, one on dash, one on tailgate

 

[Borrego60]

Use a Maxxima led light like AT has on thier trailers they are wired to do what you need them to do. You will have to do some wiring.

 

[Rocket Ship]

Hella dual lamp worklight.

Its what I run powered by two SPST switches, one on dash, one on tailgate

Sam, where did you put the tailgate switch exactly? Love my work light setup, but I need an exterior switch.

 

[Dirtytires]

I was wanting to have a back up light for the trailer as well. I decided to place a HF light on the right side in the rear of the trailer and I am going to use a motorcycle battery for a wired power source and a switch. That way we can have an adjustable light when we need or want it. And not have to worry about cutting up any wires on my truck , avoiding messing up the truck warranty.

 

[AxeAngel]

Sam, where did you put the tailgate switch exactly? Love my work light setup, but I need an exterior switch.

Used a sealed switch that is mounted on my extending work light mount. Fabbed up an extending pole similar to the kaymar unit.

Kaymar Accessories
Look halfway down the page

 

[Box Rocket]

I'm using a Hella Matador on my truck. It's nice because it can be aimed in virtually any direction. I currently only have it wired to a switch, but have considering tying it into my reverse lamps. It's just not that necessary for me, and if I need it on with the reverse lights I just hit the switch.

 

[Shawn686]

You might also think about having it wired to your reverse lights. Especially if you use this vehicle in the city, I am sure the police and other drivers will not like it. I have mine on a separate switch and it works great.

Shawn

 

[ltngaines]

Just used cheep fog lights from Walmart.

 

[TWHuntFish]

Check out the LED work lights at Northern Tool, very bright and the mounting brackets are stainless.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200407598_200407598

I have two of those mounted on the back of my Callen Camper rack, plenty of light backing into a camp area, way more light than needed for a campsite. I would suggest wiring two of these lights with each one having a SPDT Center Off switch.
I have both controlled thru one switch, I will be changing to two switches.

A single pole, double throw switch with center off position.

The center terminal will go to the light, one of the outside terms to reverse light wire on that side, the other term will go to B+.....giving you 3 positions...light on when in reverse, center always off, light on by battery for camp/ recovery.

You can buy a round magnet and bolt it to the LED work light, and with a 12vdc power cord, it becomes a very handy vehicle light.

Eric

 

[Doctor W]

OK, it seems we really need two different lights. One for reversing -which is done while engine is running and thus power use/wattage is not an issue so we would choose a Quartz Halogen type spread beam, or even a fog light. For a rear light when camping, if you want it on for any lenght of time then a low power draw high output LED type lamp is the way to go. There's lots of choices for both types and lots of ways to wire them up.

You'll be best off with 2 different types of lights - sad but true!

 

[bat]

I decided to use a remote switch for 1 sidelight and 1 back light. If need be because the backup lights are not enough I can turn 1 side or both sides with the remote. I like this idea for camping so I can control lighting away from the truck.