reverse lights

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Relays
Forum Discription: Relay Diagrams, SPDT Relays, SPST Relays, DPDT Relays, Latching Relays, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=111236
Printed Date: May 09, 2025 at 2:09 PM

Topic: reverse lights

Posted By: jmat1980
Subject: reverse lights
Date Posted: February 01, 2009 at 10:50 PM

I am trying to install some reverse lights that I want to work off of a switch and also when the vehicle is put into reverse.

I was following this schematic: https://www.kchilites.com/faq/instruc...517_backup.pdf And below is a picture of the relay I am using...

By following the schematic on the link only the little light on the switch was coming on. I changed things around a bit and got it to work, but I am now wondering how it is working the way I have it hooked up...it does not make sense to me...here is how it is working now85-Ground
85-Ground
87-Battery W/Fuse
86-To the switch
87A-to factory Reverse lights
30-White (+) wire on Fogs

Here is a pic of the relay

[IMG]https://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f396/jmat1980/IMG_0031.jpg[/IMG]

Replies:

Posted By: jmat1980
Date Posted: February 01, 2009 at 11:19 PM

The more I read about relays the more confused I am about how it is actually working the way I have it set up...any one have any imput?? I just dont want to damage anything on the vehicle If it is hooked up worng...

Posted By: jmat1980
Date Posted: February 01, 2009 at 11:32 PM

Posted By: jmat1980
Date Posted: February 02, 2009 at 7:32 PM

Anyone??

Posted By: howie ll
Date Posted: February 07, 2009 at 7:31 AM

The way you've wired that relay, when the switch ISN'T engaged, the white wire at 30 will feed straight through to the reverse lights at 87a. Here's how:- Discard the relay, take the factory feed to 1 end of 10amp rated switch, other end of switch to 12v 5amp rated power source, job done. Draw on 2 standard i.e. 21 watt rev lamps would be 3-5 amps. so a relay is totally unneccessary.