McDiesel
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• Greenville/Spartanburg, SC, USA |
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• Registered on 9/2/2004 |
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• 8 posts |
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 Posted:9/2/2004 06:53 |
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Just mounted two 4" rectangular back-up lights to the rear bumper of the Ex. I've used these before on previous trucks and they were quite bright. They contain 55W H3 bulbs. I tapped into the left and right OEM back-up light wires for the 12v source, and the ground is just through the light's mounting base and the bumper. They don't seem very bright, and I was wondering if using the bumper was a weak ground. They came with gounding wires, but I removed these and opted for the simple use of ground through the mounting location. The ground wires could be added back and tapped into a dedicated ground wire in the harness, but I'd probably need to insulate the mounting brackets. Any opinions? |
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Gen-X
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• Toronto, XX, Canada |
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• Registered on 1/19/2004 |
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• 344 posts |
• 1
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Posted:9/2/2004 15:25 |
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It could be a bad ground. However ,I would run your extra back lights from a relay feeding off the rear cargo area 12V plugin. The will spare the wimpy Ford wiring harness and give your lights the power they need.
To switch the relay, use the connection your currently have driving your back lights. This will connect to the input of your relays and switch around 10Amps from the 12V plugin to your back lights.
Good luck.
Cheers
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birdman127
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• baltimore, MD, USA |
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• Registered on 10/13/2002 |
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• 581 posts |
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Posted:9/2/2004 20:18 |
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Mcdiesel,
Welcome to the best excursion site on the web.
You can also tap the power from the 7 pin plug for trailer.
Moderator
Scott
2000 ltd 6.8 V10*4.30LS*
Lots of mods
check my gallery
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McDiesel
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• Greenville/Spartanburg, SC, USA |
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• Registered on 9/2/2004 |
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• 8 posts |
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Posted:9/3/2004 13:29 |
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I did a short test with grounding. There was no difference when using a dedicated ground to the bumper or to the ground lead in the trailer plug. A volt meter indicates about 10-1/2 volts from the +ve lead on the lights to ground, with both the OEM lights and add-ons lit. I'll try the relay idea (never tried adding a relay before) or the trailer plug as the 12v source for the add-on lights. |
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Gen-X
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• Toronto, XX, Canada |
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• Registered on 1/19/2004 |
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• 344 posts |
• 1
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Posted:9/3/2004 15:28 |
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| Quote: | | I did a short test with grounding. There was no difference when using a dedicated ground to the bumper or to the ground lead in the trailer plug. A volt meter indicates about 10-1/2 volts from the +ve lead on the lights to ground, with both the OEM lights and add-ons lit. I'll try the relay idea (never tried adding a relay before) or the trailer plug as the 12v source for the add-on lights. |
10.5V....That's the problem. If you put in a relay you WILL fix the problem.  Make sure the relay can drive
Power = Volt x current 55w =12 x I I= 55/12
Therefore, 4.58amps per light or 9.16 amps for both lights.
Therefore your relay needs to drive at least 10A at 12V. 
Cheers
Clayton
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Gen-X
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• Toronto, XX, Canada |
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• Registered on 1/19/2004 |
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• 344 posts |
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Posted:9/8/2004 16:24 |
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| Quote: | | I did a short test with grounding. There was no difference when using a dedicated ground to the bumper or to the ground lead in the trailer plug. A volt meter indicates about 10-1/2 volts from the +ve lead on the lights to ground, with both the OEM lights and add-ons lit. I'll try the relay idea (never tried adding a relay before) or the trailer plug as the 12v source for the add-on lights. |
McDiesel,
How did you make out? |
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JohnBoy
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• DFW, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 9/3/2002 |
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• 972 posts |
• 2
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Posted:9/18/2004 14:56 |
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Ah HAA !!!
that's what's worng with mine too....
they light but are NOT 55w....
ok... I can make puters dance... but those electrons speak a different language then me....
Type slow and tell me how to connect the relay ???
I just ran the lead wire up to the backup light and that all... grounded thru the bolt in the bumper mount...
2005 6.0L 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ex
2003 6.0L 4x4 Limited Ex - traded in (BooHoo )
"The Republicans should back off and let men marry men, women marry women, and legalize abortion. In three generations there would be no Democrats." |
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Gen-X
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• Toronto, XX, Canada |
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• Registered on 1/19/2004 |
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• 344 posts |
• 1
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Posted:9/18/2004 21:36 |
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| Quote: | Ah HAA !!!
that's what's worng with mine too....
they light but are NOT 55w....
ok... I can make puters dance... but those electrons speak a different language then me....
Type slow and tell me how to connect the relay ???
I just ran the lead wire up to the backup light and that all... grounded thru the bolt in the bumper mount...
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Hey JohnBoy,
Relays have two little circuits, one for control and one to pass lots of current. The control circuit inputs are connected to what even your using to switch your lights on and off( Ford back lights, 5 pin trailer plug, etc). The other is connected to your battery and your new back lights. When the control circuit turns on it cause the high power circuit to turn on and feeds lots of power from your battery to your back up lights. Here is a web page on how relays work. (Egg head type stuff).
http://www.bcae1.com/relays.htm
If you would like I can create you a wiring diagram for the same relays used in our SUVlights.com harness. Or tell me what relays you want to use and I'll grab the datasheet and make you a wiring diagram.
Also, relay will also state they are SPSTor SPDT and so on. All you need for your project is SPST (Single Pole Single Throw). The relays used in our SUVLIGHTS.com harness is SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw). It gives you an inverted output in addition to a normal output.
Let me know if your would like a wiring diagram. I can draft it up in Visio and send you a PDF file
Cheers
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McDiesel
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• Greenville/Spartanburg, SC, USA |
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• Registered on 9/2/2004 |
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• 8 posts |
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Posted:10/20/2004 13:00 |
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Finally got the time to 'play' with this a little more. I test-clamped one light hot lead directly to the center (backup) pole on the trailer plug to compare with the other wired to the backup light lead going in the tail lamp housing. MUCH BRIGHTER!!!! Now have both hooked to the backup light wire (black with green stripe) into the trailer plug. WORKS GREAT!!!!! |
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