Question re: diode on aux lights

[fyrefight]

Hey folks, I'm a newby here and have a question I haven't found the answer to by viewing the threads.
I've ordered a set of LED surface mount lights I'm planning on putting in the rear bumper where the reflectors currently are. They draw .3A at 12VDC each.
Mounting is the easy part. The question I have is this... If I tie into the reverse circuit directly to power these, will I get any kind of error code and should I wire in a diode? With such a small amp draw I'm thinking no, but don't know for sure.
Here's what I ordered.
https://www.speedtechlights.com/led-off-road-light-bars/micro-carbine-LED-off-road-surface-mount

Thanks in advance

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[JohnFinx]

I was going to do the same thing, so I am curios of the answer as well. I was going to attach them to a relay that would also disconnect the license plate lights while in reverse, to help with the camera glare. I intended to get my power/ reverse trigger from the center pin of the round trailer connector.

Anyone tried this yet?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Hey folks, I'm a newby here and have a question I haven't found the answer to by viewing the threads.
I've ordered a set of LED surface mount lights I'm planning on putting in the rear bumper where the reflectors currently are. They draw .3A at 12VDC each.
Mounting is the easy part. The question I have is this... If I tie into the reverse circuit directly to power these, will I get any kind of error code and should I wire in a diode? With such a small amp draw I'm thinking no, but don't know for sure.
Here's what I ordered.
https://www.speedtechlights.com/led-off-road-light-bars/micro-carbine-LED-off-road-surface-mount

Thanks in advance

You do know reflectors are required, correct? Since Jeep doesn't use the tail light lens as a reflector when the lights are off, reflectors are required back there.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

@ShadowsPapa

Don't know how true that is....

Example the JL, Sport and Willy's mode and many other vehicles in the USA, do not have rear reflectors..

Also, real easy to add small reflectors if one desires or say State law, etc., were to require same.

That's because when the lights are off, the lenses reflect. MANY vehicles do it that way. JT has the reflectors because Jeep chose to make the red lenses not reflect when the lights are off.
Look it up if you care to - here's a quote from one automotive site:
DOT requires vehicles to have red reflectors on the back. Some vehicles have them built into the taillights, some do not. It is a safety thing. They work very well when somebody doesn't have their light on at night or in low visibility situations.

And here's another - this from California =
(a) Every vehicle shall be equipped with at least one reflector so maintained as to be plainly visible at night from all distances within 350 to 100 feet from the vehicle when directly in front of the lawful upper headlamp beams.

There are two to indicate position and direction of the vehicle. Same reason there are position marker lights on the side that reflect when the lights are off. (some call them "marker lights" but the full term is position marker lights. Indicate size, position, etc. of a vehicle)
It's the law.
And if you are in bad weather or run without your lights on and get rear-ended - it's not always on the other guy!

There's been discussions on this very thing in another thread in this forum, and it's all over the internet.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

@ShadowsPapa

I was oblivious to all in your reply.

My point was it is no problem killing the reflectors on the back of the JT.

Replace the reflectors with lights and also as I mentioned, "add small reflectors if one desires or say State law, etc., were to require same."

Fortunately, not all States are like California... (Geeeez, that is an understatement) but most States, etc., probably want reflectors.... for the reasons you and I both are well, well aware of..

Federal law. DOT. It's not just state level. Some like CA just are more strict but its a federal thing. CA requires reflection over more distance.
They must reflect with lights off or no power as in a stall so replacing with lights doesn't give you the required reflectors.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yeah, basically, by law (federal) you must have reflectors. They must work/be visible to others in events you do not have lights on, or your vehicle is disabled. It's to prevent you killing someone by not being seen.
But the reflectors or "tape" (ug, hate that stuff) must reflect as well/far as the stock reflectors.
That's it in a nutshell.
It's why FCA and other companies spend the money back there ;-)

 

[fyrefight]

You do know reflectors are required, correct? Since Jeep doesn't use the tail light lens as a reflector when the lights are off, reflectors are required back there.

Absolutely. I intend mounting them on the existing reflectors, and said reflectors will show around the lights perimeter.

 

[fyrefight]

@ShadowsPapa

Don't know how true that is....

Example the JL, Sport and Willy's mode and many other vehicles in the USA, do not have rear reflectors..

Also, real easy to add small reflectors if one desires or say State law, etc., were to require same.

Texas DOT does require em.

 

[mazeppa]

I was going to do the same thing, so I am curios of the answer as well. I was going to attach them to a relay that would also disconnect the license plate lights while in reverse, to help with the camera glare. I intended to get my power/ reverse trigger from the center pin of the round trailer connector.

Anyone tried this yet?

To keep from having to tap into the OEM wires I used a Curt # 56584 5-pin trailer wiring harness, it pluge between the OEM plug on the bumper and the OEM plug, the blue wire on the 5-pin is the reverse light. It could later if desired be removed with no change to the OEM wiring

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B007EA6WQU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Here are the aux reverse lights I made and using DOT reflective tape (may replace them with the the Orcale when available.)

And the circuit I used, Tazer will now turn off the license light when in reverse, not an option when I built the circuit.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

license plate light only bothers me when the camera lens is wet or dirty, otherwise they don't really interfere much, if any, when in reverse. The bigger issue is lack of any light back there when backing down our long driveway. The OEM backup lights are just plain weenies.

 

[mazeppa]

<Snip>
The OEM backup lights are just plain weenies.

Like on all passenger vehicles, it appears their main function is to alert other vehicles you are in getting ready to back up. Could there be DOT regulation manufactures have to abide to on how bright they can be?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Like on all passenger vehicles, it appears their main function is to alert other vehicles you are in getting ready to back up. Could there be DOT regulation manufactures have to abide to on how bright they can be?

Good question. There have been at least a couple of times where I was thankful the OTHER PERSON'S backup lights were not bright - their switch was bad and the backup lights were on while they were driving around. Usually they fail the other way - never coming on but these were on while they were moving forward. OF course, seeing some of the home repairs and 'fixes' some people do - who knows.......
there should be a list of who can't buy masking tape, screwdrivers, pliers and scotch-lock connectors.
Connections in my 73 when I got it were wires twisted together and wrapped with old masking tape. (and the prior owner claimed to be a professional body man/painter. Scary)

 

[Fcmalie]

Thanks for the reminder on the reflector, might have to find a tail light with the reflector when I change out to round ones. Planning on the motobilt conversion when it comes out, but the light they offer doesn't say reflextive.

 

[10ecHarry]

To keep from having to tap into the OEM wires I used a Curt # 56584 5-pin trailer wiring harness, it pluge between the OEM plug on the bumper and the OEM plug, the blue wire on the 5-pin is the reverse light. It could later if desired be removed with no change to the OEM wiring

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B007EA6WQU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Here are the aux reverse lights I made and using DOT reflective tape (may replace them with the the Orcale when available.)

And the circuit I used, Tazer will now turn off the license light when in reverse, not an option when I built the circuit.

Where did you get this light and how bright is it at night ???

 

[mazeppa]

Where did you get this light and how bright is it at night ???

Flush mount Rigid Ignite Backup Kit, very bright but not to bright for vehicle behind you in parking lots a night. I got the flood diffused lights not the spotlights.

https://www.amazon.com/Rigid-Indust...d0f75&pd_rd_wg=aMPff&pd_rd_i=B01HJ4G9QI&psc=1

There are less expensive LED options that will work just as well, but beware you are limited on the size of the lights especially the mounting area behind the light.

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