KingArthur

Guys and Gals,

So I wired my new backup led lights a month ago, and have decided that I want to also have them wired to an independent power source coming from the battery/switch in the dash I am adding.

Since it is already wired into the reverse harness from the 7way plug, I should add a diode to this wiring.

My question is, what do I look for in a diode? Where can I get them? Obv. 12v... but how are they classified? I want to minimize the voltage drop through the diode as well... Any electronic guru's opinions would be appreciated!

sigma pi

why are you putting in a diode? why not tap power from the 7 pin harness to power a relay? Trigger it from the rev lights and/or the switch in the cabin?

Waterfowler41

iTrader: (1)

I used a relay with a constant from my battery and a switched lead from the reverse wires on the back of my trailer wiring hookup. Install a three way switch so you can have it in manual, auto, or completely off. Simple but functional.

sigma pi

That is what I was thinking. I think the orange on the 7 pin is always hot, I remember reading that here, but DOUBLE CHECK. I have done a lot of wiring since then haha.

KingArthur

I started off by tapping into the reverse wire at the 7-way plug. Which is great, lights turn on when in reverse. But I do a lot of trailer hookups and such and want the ability to turn them on ALSO when in park via the switch. But I don't want the tailight reverse bulbs coming on when I flick the switch, so the diode was to stop the back feeding into the previously wired section, thus only allowing power to flow to the led lights.

sigma pi

why would the tail lights lights come on when you flip the switch? They would not be hooked up to the relay.

The relay would switch on from a switch or the reverse light / the trailer plug where ever you wanted to tap into

KingArthur

the tail lights would come on if I just wired it together because the power would travel from the switch to the junction where the power from the trailer plug is, and feed towards the lights, yes.. but also enter the trailer harness and activate the reverse bulbs because they are all wired together.

How would this relay be wired? I thought a relay could only be triggered by one thing such as a switch... therefore not leaving a lead for another trigger??

Old Smoky

I have my back up lights hooked up to the battery through running through a standard 12 vdc relay. I have it switched so I can turn it on and off when I want.

My back up lights are very bright and I don't necessarily need them to turn on when backing up every time. Plus, I can turn them on whenever I'm messing with my trailer, etc.

KingArthur

right, but I want that option plus having them come on in reverse.. so I think that is where a diode is used to prevent back feeding of power into wiring that should be getting any...

jcain

Schottkey diode
10 amp, 100 PIV*