Installing LED backup lights

Topic: Installing LED backup lights (Read 1205 times) previous topic - next topic

Installing LED backup lights

May 26, 2021, 09:25:55 pm

Finished installing new LED back up lights.

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #1 – May 26, 2021, 09:30:04 pm

Did you have to use diodes? I had to. You might consider connecting rear landing lights into reverse light. Easy to do diodes.

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #2 – May 26, 2021, 09:43:53 pm

Quote from: gracerace – May 26, 2021, 09:30:04 pm

Did you have to use diodes? I had to. You might consider connecting rear landing lights into reverse light. Easy to do diodes.

Just curious what do the diodes do?

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #3 – May 26, 2021, 10:09:36 pm

I haven't tried to use them yet as I need to start the engine and put it in reverse. I don't see why they
won't work or why I would need diodes, but then most things I have done on this coach end up
not being simple.

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #4 – May 26, 2021, 11:02:31 pm

I installed LED bulbs in my tail lights, and they were wacky. Fine print said you will need resistors. I ordered them, installed them, and they work now.

Sorry I said diodes by mistake

4x 50W 6 ohm Load Resistor For Fix LED Bulb Fast Hyper Flash Turn Signal...

4Pcs White 3157 3457 3057 Signal 33SMD Backup Reverse Tail Turn LED Light...

Chris

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #5 – May 26, 2021, 11:05:55 pm

Quote from: oldguy – May 26, 2021, 10:09:36 pm

I haven't tried to use them yet as I need to start the engine and put it in reverse. I don't see why they
won't work or why I would need diodes, but then most things I have done on this coach end up
not being simple.

Sorry, said diodes, I ment Resistors. But if you want to tie the landing lights into backup lights, you need diodes for that.

Chris

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #6 – May 26, 2021, 11:21:25 pm

Why would I need resistors. I'm tying 12 volts lights into a 12 volt circuit.

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #7 – May 27, 2021, 12:11:42 am

There is not enough resistance in the led's to make the flasher slow down to normal.

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #8 – May 27, 2021, 12:37:20 am

Quote from: oldguy – May 26, 2021, 11:21:25 pm

Why would I need resistors. I'm tying 12 volts lights into a 12 volt circuit.

If you are doing turn signals all the old controllers operate off light bulb resistance. They flash real fast when a bulb is bad. LEDs don't use enough power, so you need to go to a timed signal controller or add additional load resistors.Also my real smart dodge truck will not accept led headlights because it thinks they are bad and will turn the circuit off, so everyone used resistors to fool the computer controlled fuse box. Way to smart for me,but you can go into the box with the correct scan tool and change the operational limits to make them play nicely. Pita same thing with the starter solenoid. Bad batteries have low voltage and will draw too much amperage and it will lock you out of cranking even thou it will start if you bypass the brains.
Scott

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #9 – May 27, 2021, 12:47:22 am

These are backup lights and tied into the backup light circuit so they only come on when in reverse so I can
see in those dark winter nights when I'm backing up to a snow bank.

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #10 – May 27, 2021, 07:03:48 am

I am not seeing why one would need resistors for backup lights. No turn flasher involved. I bet these will work just fine. Install looks clean, nice work!

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #11 – May 27, 2021, 09:58:05 am

No need for diodes in any lights other than turn signals. I should have paid more attention to the title.

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #12 – May 27, 2021, 10:04:52 am

Lights look great! Super bright and inexpensive. I bought a pair and a couple of larger for the front to replace the fog lights but not had time to install yet. Good placement as the stock BU lights don't do much at night.

Not like the "old" days with dozens of posts now every day. Hard to speed read without making a mistake.

Pierce

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #13 – May 27, 2021, 10:46:26 am

I would like to find ones for fog lights that are DOT approved. I put them in the Monaco and
I had and I had to put in a relay so they wouldn't work in low beam as they would blind the
on coming drivers.

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #14 – May 27, 2021, 10:53:04 am

Backup Lights Connection to Docking Lights

Use 3-5 amp diodes, buy in bulk at Amazon. Double them up for redundancy, use heat shrink connectors and dielectric grease on anything exposed. Works well.

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #15 – May 27, 2021, 12:35:52 pm

Thanks Roger for sharing the diagram, and thanks for giving me the idea. Works awesome, especially backing into the shop.

I used these, already had them:

Hopkins 48955 Towed Vehicle Diodes Kit Towing Systems RV Trailer Camper...

Or these also work:

Amazon.com: Roadmaster 792 Hy-Power Diode, (Pack of 2): Automotive

Chris

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #16 – May 28, 2021, 06:02:22 pm

I just notice today that the left hand back up light needed some grinding of the cooling fins to clear the
air filter. That or a modification to the air filter lid.

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #17 – June 11, 2021, 05:47:56 pm

I started the engine today and the backup lights work fine. All I did was wire
them in parallel with the original back up lights. I couldn't see any reason for
diodes and if I was going to wire them up to the rear docking lights I would
do it the same. Keep it simple. One of these days I will see how they work in
the dark.

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #18 – June 11, 2021, 08:40:30 pm

Docking lights are wired up and switched left and right. If you want both rear docking lights to come on when the backup lights are on and not the front docking lights then you need diodes. If you wire docking lights in parallel to the backup lights without diodes you will have no left/right control.

Easy enough to do the wiring with diodes and keep all original functionality and add the rear docking lights to the backup lighting. Your choice.

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #19 – June 11, 2021, 08:44:34 pm

Roger that makes sense and as I only wanted them working from the
backup lights it was simple.

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #20 – June 11, 2021, 10:28:33 pm

I bought a 20 pack of diodes and a half dozen Bosch relays and somehow most have found a place for new functions in my coach. They are cheap and add lots of functionality.

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #21 – June 12, 2021, 06:53:45 pm

One would only need resistors if you were wiring in the LED's to replace the original backup lights. I believe oldguy has tapped them in parallel to the original backup lights, so no resistors needed. Being LED, I'm sure they don't draw much.

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #22 – December 26, 2021, 09:05:59 pm

The new LED backup lights sure made a difference and then I changed the OEM bulbs
to LED superbright bulbs and then that helped. I am satisfied with the results.

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #23 – December 27, 2021, 01:57:04 pm

I'm thinking about mounting the LED back up lights on the roof corners.

Re: Installing LED backup lights

Reply #24 – January 01, 2022, 02:01:12 pm

Quote from: Protech Racing – December 27, 2021, 01:57:04 pm

I'm thinking about mounting the LED back up lights on the roof corners.

I put two cube lights on my cargo trailer and have wired into reverse circuit and added a extra power switch to the trailer battery to turn them on separately from inside the trailer as flood lights. Works great, although I can't recall the last time I used trailer for anything other than storage now

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