Aux back-up lights?

[SPenczak]

Just bought a 06 2500 quad cab 4x4 laramie. I plow snow and was installing some aux back-up lights like I have on all my trucks. I tapped into the trailer plug reverse light wire like I have on all my trucks. I thought every thing was working correctly until I was backing into the garage and saw them flashing on and off then off completely. I put the truck in park and then back in reverse and all they would do is flash. So i got back under the truck and checked my connections every thing seemed fine! I finally clipped the aux lights wires and now the truck back-up lights are fine. while the factory lights are I lay back under the truck and touch the two wires for the aux lights back to were I clipped them and every thing stays lit! WTH!!! The two lights that I am using would be know worse than a couple of backup lights on a trailer. I'm not sure what to do. I have been out of the Dodge seen for a while. Any Ideas guys. Thanks to all

 

[DOWG]

The OEM wiring will not handle the electrical draw of the additional lights, wire the lights directly to the battery with a fuse/relay and a switch inside the cab. I have 4 PIAA's (came with relay and switch) mounted on my rear bumper; it's like the sun is shining at midnight... ... ... ... . sure makes tailgaters back off a bit!

 

[JCrockett]

I agree with DOWG, get a relay and a DPDT switch to wire them up. There is a wiring diagram in my RR that shows how to do it. Send me a PM if you can not read it and I will e-mail you a copy of the diagram.



Happy wiring!

 

[SPenczak]

So If I had a trailer with back-up lights, I would loose all my back-up lights! This does not seem right. this truck has factory trailer tow but if my trailer had back-up lights they would not work when I was backing up!

 

[skipro3]

Use a relay but don't run a seperate line all the way to the battery. Use your backup light circuit to power the coil on the relay. Use the pin on your trailer connector's 7pin plug that is for charging a battery or running the interior lights on a trailer for power to your lights through the contacts of your relay. If that wire on your 7pin connector can handle charging an RV battery in your trailer, then it certainly can run a couple of back up aux. lights.

 

[FullSack]

I just had a set of PIAA 5161's installed into my Buck Stop bumper. I didn't have them wired into the reverse lights, it's setup with a switch on the dash. I'll try to take a picture of them and post it up. I like the setup.

 

[SPenczak]

Thanks for all the help I know your solutions will work,but I just don't understand why I should have to do it! All it is telling me is if my snowmobile trailer or any trailer had back-up lights the truck would not handle it as equiped from the factory!

 

[rbattelle]

Don't trailers come equipped with relay-activated lights? If not, they should. It's the only "proper" way of doing it.



Ryan

 

[chazj]

When I back up my travel trailer, the backup lights on the trailer work off the round stock electrical socket.

 

[rbattelle]

When I back up my travel trailer, the backup lights on the trailer work off the round stock electrical socket.

Hmmm, that's interesting. If I were a trailer manufacturer I'd use relays to keep the load off the vehicle pigtail. If I ever buy trailer I'll have to try and remember to rewire it.



Ryan

 

[skipro3]

Remember:

The backup lights on the trailer are only about 7watts. Not a problem for the wiring in your truck. The additional lights, such as knight lights, are at least 55watt each; 110watts for the pair. Big problem. That's why I recommended you use the backup light circuit to trigger a relay that controls the much more robust pin on the trailer connector used to charge your RV battery.

 

[Matt400]

Use your backup light circuit to power the coil on the relay. Use the pin on your trailer connector's 7pin plug that is for charging a battery for power to your lights

Thats an excellent idea!

 

[MA2LA]

This is wierd, My 99 had no issues at all in taping off the back up light wire but the 3rd gens can't do it. great progress. I need a set to i miss having real lights back there.

 

[skipro3]

Thats an excellent idea!

It's not my idea. It's how the Knight Lights are set up. Really, for the price, you get a nice set of back up lights, relay setup, and a toggle switch to over ride them or turn them off completely as well as use them as back up lights. They are very easy to wire up and there's no risk of tripping a computer or frying your wiring.

 

[SKing]

my 03 has 4 extra back up lights on the factory reverse wire and I have had no problems. there is two in my bumper and two in my overhead rack. I have some pictures in readers rig. I also ran a switch to turn them on and off.

 

[Prairie Dog]

The facotory wiring is built to run extra light and it's protected by a 20 amp fuse. I've been running two 55w lights off mine for 3+ years w/o any probelm. I did the same thing with my 93 CTD.