Battery Backup Light?

[fallsrider]

I recently had to back into a campsite in the dark, by myself. I set my Dewalt flashlight at the back of the site where I wanted the street side rear corner of my trailer to end up, but entering the site from the road, I came within about 6"-8" of scraping a tree and doing serious damage to my awning. That got my attention.

I've been thinking...(I know, a dangerous thing), but I was wondering if there are any lights out there that are battery powered with a magnetic base? I would not use them very often, maybe a few times in the winter, and it would save the hassle of hard wiring in a backup light system. I could just set one or two on the square tube bumper facing backward and see better where I'm backing.

I've done a couple of searches on the internet, but haven't found anything yet. If I found the right lights, they would go on my Christmas list to my DW. 🙂

[BurbMan]

Good point, it should. My lights are halogen, 55W each, so I needed a relay, they didn't have inexpensive LEDs when I bought these back in 2008. You could try wiring it direct and see what happens. Worst case scenario is a) you blow the fuse on the truck or b) the lights don't get bright enough due to voltage drop over distance. If it doesn't work you could always add the relay. Of course relays are only a few $ so not that much work to just include one from the get-go. In other words, it will definitely work with a relay, it might work without one. No harm in trying though.

[fallsrider]

BurbMan wrote:
...If you go this route you will want to use a relay, the back up wire coming through the pigtail just isn't sized to carry current for a set of driving lights...

Will the reverse circuit not carry 4.5 to 5 amps? I was looking at the one LED light that was suggested, and it was 27 watts. Times two, and you have 4.5 amps. 5 amps is not that much, especially considering the short duration that a backup light is used.

[fallsrider]

BurbMan wrote:
...I don't know any back up lights that would have spotted that close call with the branch though....

It wasn't a branch. I got too close to a tree, which a good backup light would probably have let me see. You know how in most CG sites you back in to the right, on your blind side? I was cutting too sharp and didn't know it. I decided to get out and check my progress, and discovered I had backed down beside the tree, and it was only 6" or 8" from my awning. Yikes. I probably could have stayed more centered down the opening into the site had I had some good lights.

[kearlms]

I have one of THESE and it is nice and bright. Has magnets and a hanging loop.

[BurbMan]

fallsrider wrote:
The reverse circuit in the TV plug works, so now I can proceed to figure the rest out for hard wiring the lights. How to mount on the rear bumper is of concern to me. I'll get it figured out.

If you go this route you will want to use a relay, the back up wire coming through the pigtail just isn't sized to carry current for a set of driving lights. I connected a relay to the TT battery bank to power the lights and then used the reverse wire in the pigtail to trigger the relay. Any auto parts store will have the basic relay you need, I installed mine right where the pigtail connects to the TT.

Here is basic relay wiring:



In your case, the trigger source will be reverse wire coming from the pigtial, and the device is the backup lights. I used 12 ga 2-conductor marine wire to run from the relay back to the lights.

I had the same problem with hose storage and not being able to screw into the bumper. I found a pair of square shaped u-bolts that fit around the bumper and ran them under the mounting flange for the driving lights:





When I added the rear storage this season, I added the vinyl fence post for sewer hose storage and secured the lights right to the extended bumper.





Edit: I just realized I never took a pic after I added the hose storage. Its mounted between the storage box and the back of the TT.

[BurbMan]

JiminDenver wrote:
How bright? The HF puck lights have a magnet.

Exactly what I was thinking. These are cheap enough, 3 or 4 on the back bumper would work fine. I don't know any back up lights that would have spotted that close call with the branch though....

[fallsrider]

The reverse circuit in the TV plug works, so now I can proceed to figure the rest out for hard wiring the lights. How to mount on the rear bumper is of concern to me. I'll get it figured out.

[Gdetrailer]

Blazing Zippers wrote:
We have a couple Harbor Freight magnetic LED lites for the trailer. They will stick to most anything----I even stuck one on the front of the lawn mower when DW couldn't finish the lawn before dark. Nothing but the best for the lil lady!! Anyway HF has what you need for just a few bucks.

I have a few of the FREE HF 27 LED flashlights with magnets LIKE THESE , while they are bright. For what they are they simply cannot and will not provide enough light to enable you to see much further than a few feet.

It would take 10 or more of those to really help in backing up.. Backing up a trailer is a whole different ball of wax compared to mowing the lawn..

If I was going to use a battery powered light I would be looking for something in the three watt or higher category..

Something like THIS would be far superior to the 27 LED HF light.

But really instead of monkeying around with Mickey Mouse lights jump to REAL LIGHTS which will solve the problem without the need to get out of the vehicle..

Something like 12V 10W LED FLOODLIGHT will be a vast improvement over a battery powered solution.. I Bought a couple of the ones in this link for my tractor to help assist the built in lights which are blocked by my snow plow. The result is a pretty darn bright light that easily lights up 20-30 ft in front of my tractor..

There are even brighter 12V LED flood lights available.. You can find a lot of them and here is a 27W version.. 12V 27W flood light

Pretty much all vehicles which have a factory 7 pin trailer connection should have the backup light wire installed on the socket..

I can tell you that all of the Ford trucks I have owned since 1997 HAVE the backup wire installed AND working.

Your trailers pigtail will typically have the backup wire, all you need to do is trace the pigtail to the junction box on the tongue or under the trailer and find the unused wire. Then you simply run a wire from the tongue along the frame to the back bumper.

To mount the light you can use a variety of methods from heavy duty black wire ties to long stainless steel hose clamps around the bumper or frame to screws/bolts to bumper or frame..

Once done you simply need to put vehicle in reverse and you have lots of light to work with.. Beats getting out in the rain or firing up a bunch a piddly little flashlights..

My current TT came with built in backup lights, they work nicely but sometimes I wish they were a bit brighter..

[Blazing_Zippers]

We have a couple Harbor Freight magnetic LED lites for the trailer. They will stick to most anything----I even stuck one on the front of the lawn mower when DW couldn't finish the lawn before dark. Nothing but the best for the lil lady!! Anyway HF has what you need for just a few bucks.

[fallsrider]

Gdetrailer wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
I added some driving lights to the rear bumper....

However instead of using a manual switch you do realize that the 7pin connection on your vehicle already HAS a backup light circuit?...

I like the idea of driving lights, and maybe the best thing is to go through the hassle of running the wires to the back of the trailer. I have an enclosed underbelly, but there might still be room beside the main rail to run the wires. I'll have to investigate that.

I would also need to test the reverse terminal at the plug on my TV to make sure it indeed does work as a reverse circuit. If it does, then maybe hard wired is the way to go. I know the options for lights that are effective enough will be much better.

The other thing to investigate is mounting options for lights. I don't really want to run screws into the rear bumper, as I store the sewer hose in there, and it would probably snag on them.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

[Gdetrailer]

goducks10 wrote:
I added some driving lights to the rear bumper. They were leftover from another idea I never completed. You can find cheap ones at any local auto parts store. Just run a wire, fuse and switch to your batteries and you'll always have them when you need them.
http://www.amazon.com/degree-waterproof-Off-road-Auxiliary-Driving/dp/B00LX28WAO/ref=lp_15736441_1_6...

I would also recommend a set of driving lights or even aux LED "work lights".

However instead of using a manual switch you do realize that the 7pin connection on your vehicle already HAS a backup light circuit?

The pigtail to the trailer should already have the backup light wire and you should be able to run a wire from the tongue (pigtail) back to the rear bumper and make a real nice automatic on/off setup.

Do be aware in many states having permanent non red or amber lights on a manual switch that can be left on while driving forward can be a fine able offense. Take you chances..

[goducks10]

I added some driving lights to the rear bumper. They were leftover from another idea I never completed. You can find cheap ones at any local auto parts store. Just run a wire, fuse and switch to your batteries and you'll always have them when you need them.
http://www.amazon.com/degree-waterproof-Off-road-Auxiliary-Driving/dp/B00LX28WAO/ref=lp_15736441_1_6...

[RoyB]

I have a couple of those YELLOW JUMP START battery packs that has a pretty good light on them. I bet that would work great as well...

Good Idea... Thanks



Roy Ken

[handye9]

fallsrider wrote:
I would not use them very often, maybe a few times in the winter, and it would save the hassle of hard wiring in a backup light system.

Problem with rarely used flashlights, is dead batteries when you really need to use them. I would do the hard wired hassle.

I wired mine off the trailer battery, with a switch inside my front storage compartment. Instead of digging for flashlights and batteries, I flip a switch.

[Dakota98]

alid wrote:

fallsrider wrote:
This light?

Portable Worklight Flashlight

If so, that certainly has possibilities. And it is cheap already! I could buy 3 of those and just stick them to the bumper. I would probably buy one first and test it in my backyard at night. We have a Harbor Freight only about 20 minutes away.

I have one of those.. although they are nice (I keep one in my truck) I don't think that it throws enough light to use for backing up your trailer.

I have & use several of the HF lights inside my TT, But they are not large enough nor throw enough light out for your application. You may want to check with any auto parts store & see what's available. Also check with your State DOT concerning permanently mounted lights, if it comes to that.