I have 1 clear driving light hooked into my back-up lights. I want to add 2 more of the same lights on top of my toolbox. Question is..can i wire these lights to work with the back-up lights as well as with a separate switch?

 

You need to run any additional lights off a relay , not the harness to the back-up lights.The harness won't handle the extra current they draw.
You can however tap into the output side of the back-up switch with a relay as the relay coil current is negligable(sp).
If you control the relay with a switch be sure it is a lighted switch.If you forget to turn off the lights , in most if not all states you WILL get a ticket.

 

I always wanted those for when im being tailgated and don't feel like risking a ticket losing them... ahh the joys of a 4.0, other vehicles just dont understand till they cant catch up. /hijacking

-TJ

 

The problem with tailgaters at night is you don't know if it is a cop.
Standing on the binders when they're 2 feet off your bumper REALLY gets their attention.



OOHH my aching neck.
That'll be 2 mil please.

 

Yes using a simple automotive 12v SPDT relay (at any auto parts for about 4.00 dollars), a diode (1N4002 or 1N4004 for .79 cents at radio shack), some 14ga and 12ga wire, and a 12v SPST (lighted or unlighted) switch of your choice. Make sure you add a 1-5 amp fuse to feed the dash switch and a fuse (not to exceed 20 amp) feeding the power to the relay.

The lights will come on when you put it in reverse or when you flip the switch on.

I would recommend switching the current clear lamp you have connected into your backup lights to feed from the same relay. Sooner or later its may overload your backup light circuit and either blow the fuse or worse.

 

What's the purpose for the diode?

 

this is pretty much the reason that i'm wanting to do this....didn't think it wouldm be that complicated though...thanks for all the input guys...

 

The Diode allows you to turn the spotlights on independently of the trucks factory backup lights via the switch. Another words if you flip the dash switch you'll turn on the spotlights, but not the trucks factory backup lights. However, if you put the truck in reverse gear the factory backup lights will come on as well as the spotlights.

 

Thanks, now I get it, very crafty.