Back Up Lights

Ok guys so this is the first time I'm posting on here. I have a 2011 Ram SXT 4X4. Im looking to get more lighting when backing up and trailering my boat. I would like to keep the factory look of my interior ( not add an ugly and obvious switch ) but also add fog lights to be used as back up lights under my trailer hitch. My initial plan is to run a power wire from the cargo lights and use the switch in the cab on the dash that turns on the cargo lights to turn on the fog lights as well. This way when i need more light behind me both the cargo lights and fog lights will come on. My fear is that I may over load the relay or wires and draw too many amps and burn up or short out something. Is that an unfounded fear or what solution should I use? Im open to advice for light selection. Im thinking either LED's but im not sure.
Thanks for your help
Rev. Ron

RevRonnie said:

My initial plan is to run a power wire from the cargo lights and use the switch in the cab on the dash that turns on the cargo lights to turn on the fog lights as well. This way when i need more light behind me both the cargo lights and fog lights will come on. My fear is that I may over load the relay or wires and draw too many amps and burn up or short out something. Is that an unfounded fear or what solution should I use? Im open to advice for light selection. Im thinking either LED's but im not sure.
Thanks for your help
Rev. Ron

Click to expand...

Welcome!! Your idea is a good one but you will want to add a relay into the mix. We used to have to do this years ago when car stereo amps had 'push button' on/off switches (I want to know who thought that was a good idea anyway )

To connect the relay you would run a new, fused, power wire from the battery to the 'Power In' socket on the relay. Then tap onto the wire feeding the cargo light (or what ever you want to use) and run it to the 'Remote In' socket on the relay. Last you run the wire from your new lights to the 'Power Out' socket. This will add almost no extra load on the cargo lamp fuse. Just make sure that your relay is rated high enough to handle the load of your new lights. It is really much easier than it sounds. I am sure that others will chime in with their solutions as well.

Good luck with your project!!

Welcome to RF! Have you tried these yet? :********:

http://www.ramforum.com/f96/retro-solutions-4th-gen-cree-led-reverse-bulbs-18271/

THanks Power for the ideas. I may try what Trupiano is talking about first then if its not better Ill put in the fog lights.... again thanks to both of you for the help.

No probs man, that's what were here for.

I can attest to the Cree lights being the complete ****!! They are stupid bright and make hooking up to boat a joke... I can't count how many times I needed more light and now it's a breeze

the cree lights look awesome from what Iv seen.

there is also this as a option.

White Night Rear Lighting System, Truck SUV Reverse Lights

Hmm that's pretty neat.. Wonder if they can be converted into hid

Trupiano said:

Welcome to RF! Have you tried these yet?

http://www.ramforum.com/f96/retro-solutions-4th-gen-cree-led-reverse-bulbs-18271/

Click to expand...

I just knew someone would have a better solution!! Now I have to order them too.

LED CREE Back up lights would help i'm sure

^ these helped a lot. But I will still be mounting an led light bar on top of my camper top to create a flood light behind

Logisys RM022A Logisys RM022A 2 Zone 12VDC 15A Remote Control from mwave.com

I used one of these to add back-up lights to my boat trailer and NOT have to put a switch in the dash.

Works very well too.