under body lights

[the big blue bus]

ive now wired some backup lights to turn on by a switch. well i got 3 2 under bumper and ones bolted to the shock tower under neath cuz i ahd it laying around. ive seen what people call rock lights under the truck. id like to do like 4 small flood lights on each side. i thik i could mount em on top frame to be outa muds way and still be able to light up the ground at night for in the woods. how could i wire them so when i unlock the hoe they come on you know like a courtesy lights and then also so i can turn them on by a switch on the dash? or is that even possible. just was thinking today while bored at home adding the extra light i had from my first set of bumper fog lights.

the bumper ones reflector is kinda messd up so weird light pattern from sinking truck in mud water got in em.

just cuz i like this picture haha

 

[sparg93]

I like your thinking - i too would be interested to see if anyone has done this.

My first impression would be to trace the wires from the dome and/or door lights b/c they activate when you unlock. If you could find the switch that activates them, you could run wires (make sure not to overload) from the switch through the floor to you aux lights underneath.

 

[SunlitComet]

use a signal converter that takes a momentary input and convert to a timed output. Alarm parts really. DEI makes a lot of different ones. Tap the unlock pulse as your input and use the output or switch to trigger your light relay. Use isolating diodes between relay coil and outputs.

 

[the big blue bus]

wiring diagram? haha im not good with puttin words to pictures. im a visual learner

 

[SunlitComet]

where to tap for a door unlock or something else?

 

[the big blue bus]

yeah that and for the diodes and stuff. im still learning all the wiring stuff

 

[SunlitComet]

are you useing the factory keyless entry or aftermarket alarm and if alarm how is it triggering your locks and does it control you dome light by disarming?

 

[the big blue bus]

factory keyless entry. i have no alarm

 

[SunlitComet]

do you want it to activate by door unlock or dome light activation or something else?

 

[sparg93]

I think it would be cool when the dome came on and when I put my tahoe into reverse...(sorry to hijack big blue)

 

[SunlitComet]

actually you may not need need a converter. IIRC your had setup a switch and relay for rear some lights already no?

---------- Post added at 05:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:47 PM ----------

how is your rear light relay triggered powered negative or positive?

 

[the big blue bus]

its triggerd by the switch

---------- Post added at 11:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:06 AM ----------

and i just wired the rear to switch. may add them to reverse. ive got 3 lights out back. 2 in bumoer and one under the truck bolte to shock tower

 

[SunlitComet]

Joy, so you want all this rear lights to come on in reverse, courtesy/dome lamp activation or thru manual activation with a switch? that is 3 trigger options. and their are no relays controlling the rears now? Correct?

I just want to be sure I understand you correctly.

 

[the big blue bus]

no. rear are on relay. wanted to have lights on frame that shine down below doors to come on when unlock door and by switch

 

[SunlitComet]

gotcha.

momentito...

---------- Post added at 11:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:32 PM ----------

Try this

Relay part:

Fused 12v to main power, 12v output to exterior lights, (-) trigger to brown wire of diode picture.

Diode part: brown or blue to the white wire on say the floor courtesy light in the corner of the dash. Use the other thru a switch where on the other side of the switch the wire is ground. Does that make sense?


Use good 20/30amp relays and
1N4001 Micro 1A Diodes

(Catalog #: 276-1101 at radio shack $1.5)

---------- Post added at 11:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 PM ----------

This should light the exterior when triggered by a switch or when your interior lights come on by what ever triggers them like unlock module which should turn interior light on or door opening or interior "on" position on headlight switch assembly dimming rheostat. And will be disabled by dome light defeat but separate switch will still power them on.

The switch can drain your battery if left on with this circuit I drew up. Handle it? Or could probably come up with a timer or delay on for the switch and redraw the cicuit. Let me know.

 

[sparg93]

Very nice - i wish i knew how to read those diagrams!!

Anywhere on-line you can recommend so i can make sense of what you put together?

 

[SunlitComet]

The type of relay circuit and the diode setup were from 12volt.com I just mated them together to perform a specific function. There are many possibilities. Personally it is hard for me to explain it online. I just find out what someone wants and draw a circuit to do it based on what they are using it in. That why if you want to add reverse it going need to be redone to add a different type of trigger in addition to the other two. This is a PDF of some others. Certainly take the time to teach yourself, it is always rewarding.

---------- Post added at 10:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:21 AM ----------

BTW there is software to draw them better. Just don't have it.