Rear Work/ reversing light.

Post by **Grasshopper** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 12:50 am

I have completed the wheel carrier and would like to fit a light to it.
Question.
Can I have the light wired to come on when I put the vehicle in reverse and also have it wired to work as a camp light with power from the auxilliary battery.

Post by **ausyota** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 7:54 am

You can IF...
1 it is only 55watt
2 it is a spread beam
and 3 it it is not mounted too high or aimed too high.
This is what I was told by the DPI in WA.
So if it is one of those ones that is mounted above the spare then no it cant be wired to the reverse switch it has to be a separate circut as its too high.

Post by **PJ.zook** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 7:58 am

Yep. Just run an automotive relay somewhere, with the switch part connected through 12v to the light and ground.
Then for the coil part of relay, connect one side to ground, the other side connect a signal wire coming from youre reverse light switch, and the other coming from the worklight switch, then connect them to the relay, but use diodes. Face the diodes so they flow into relay if you know what i mean. Im assuming that youre reverse lights are also positively switched.

EDIT: This is how its done, not saying its legal from reading above post heh.

Post by **GQ Bear** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 10:18 am

I had mine wired through a 3-way switch. pos 1) on with reverse pos 2) off pos 3) on.

The only difference is where the relay is getting it's activating power from <pin 85 on relay i think from memory>. so pos 1) will have wire tapped into reverse wire feeding switch and subsequently pin 85. pos 3) will be a permanent accesory such as radio or interior light going to switch and subsequently pin 85. Therefore can be used as worklight without ignition or accessories on.

Post by **Grasshopper** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 3:38 pm

Can anyone draw a schematic of the above idea? I like the thought of using a three way switch as I have access to several different ones.
Grasshopper.

Post by **MAVRK-4** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 7:16 pm

This is how I'd do it...

basically you can use 1x 3-way switch or 2x individual switches to do the same job here providing they have independent switch-over.

I'd use a Narva #68044 Change-Over Relay to facilitate powering the Light from my Auxillary battery when required in camp, but allowing the main battery to be used for Reversing purposes incase the Aux battery dies.

Post by **MART** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:51 pm

Nice job mavrk-4,how much do those relays cost,Cheers Paul.

Post by **awill4x4** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:26 pm

Hmmm, Catweasel had it right many years ago when he called it "electrickery"
Never could get my head around electrical schematics, I'm OK with boilermaking manufacturing drawings though.
Regards Andrew.

Post by **MAVRK-4** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:00 am

These Narva #68044 Change-Over Relay's usually go for ~$11 in places like Autobarn.

I'll see if I can chase down a suitable switch and pin outs to do the 3-way switch wiring as well.

In order to use 2 different power sources as per my diagram you would require a Double-Pole Double-Throw DPDT Switch

Post by **juls** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:24 am

For my driving lights i used an ON-OFF-ON type toggle switch, narva or some type from an auto store.

So i just wired up a normal relay to accept a +12v signal to activate it, and for the switch in the up position I have the high beam 12v activate the relay, and down position is connected to a constant 12v source.

This would be the same except you obviously use the reverse 12v signal in the up position.

Post by **bushy555** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 7:10 am

ausyota wrote:You can IF...
1 it is only 55watt.

Ha ha ha. Am wondering if the ADR's specify halogen or not?
Im thinking along the lines of "But yes Mr RTA / Mr Police officer, it is only a 55watt bulb. 55w HID that is."

Post by **ausyota** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 7:48 am

bushy555 wrote:
ausyota wrote:You can IF...
1 it is only 55watt.
Ha ha ha. Am wondering if the ADR's specify halogen or not?
Im thinking along the lines of "But yes Mr RTA / Mr Police officer, it is only a 55watt bulb. 55w HID that is."

Im not sure what the ADRs specify this is just what I was told. He was basicly saying you cant use a 100watt spotty back there like a lot of people do.
mmm HID reverse lights I cant even afford to put HIDs into those adaptors I bought of you last year for my front lights let alone out the back

Post by **juls** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:25 am

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/NR/rdonl ... /VSI10.pdf

Page 30.

I cant find much information about ADR 1/... except here:

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/ComLaw/Legisla ... enDocument

As usual its pretty vague. If you set it up with an optional switch and use it mainly on trails or reversing down your long driveway, rather than blinding shoppers when you reverse out of Coles, I cant see anyone will have a problem with it.

Outer Limits 4x4 Board