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Adding Lights - '90 Ford F150 4.9L ~ 190k Miles
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Ahr Aitch
Novice
Aug 16, 2021, 12:55 PM
Post #1 of 13
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Adding Lights - '90 Ford F150 4.9L ~ 190k Miles
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Recently replaced head and tail light assemblies with new bulbs. The backup lights are still too dim for safety; so I decided to add an auxiliary pair of 36W Mictuning LED lamps on the rear bumper. I have a camper shell on the old girl and want to put a couple of strips of LED lights in it. I have no training as an automotive tech but have done shade tree repairs all my life (start my 80th year in a coupla weeks). I think I have the tools and parts needed but would like to have someone here review my plan and tell me what I've missed, what I should do differently.
The plan is to use relays to switch current to the lights. I'm attaching a diagram. The relay for auxiliary backup lights will be triggered by either the backup light switch that fires in reverse plus a dashboard switch allowing me to turn them on when the engine is stopped. The relay for the camper shell LED strips will be triggered by a dashboard switch. I intend to locate the ignition wires that are hot when the key is in the RUN or ACC position and tap into that wire to feed the input side of the dashboard switches. The switches will then feed the relay coil sides. Power to the relay switch sides will be from a separate circuit that ties into battery power and has a fuse in it. I'm uncertain about what size fuse to use. My calculations based on specs for the Mictuning lights and the strip lights is that, combined, they will draw only a couple of amps at 12VDC if both sets of lights are energized.
In my drawing, I tried to indicate where I would tie into existing wiring using orange in the circles showing the connections. I also tried to show where I will use new wire.
At a high level, my questions are these:
1) Are the circuit designs adequate and safe?
2) Is my fuse size for the power supply adequate at 5 Amps?
3) Do I need all the grounds shown in the diagram?
4) Is there a good source for identifying which ignition wire is hot on RUN or ACC? (I have the Haynes manual)
(This post was edited by Ahr Aitch on Aug 16, 2021, 5:56 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 16, 2021, 1:17 PM
Post #2 of 13
(1492 views)
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Re: Adding Lights - '90 Ford F150 4.9L ~ 190k Miles
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Here are the instructions for uploading pictures.
http://autoforums.carjunky.com/...LOAD_PHOTOS_P151389/
Upload Photo is definitely offered in a new post as well as a reply
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Aug 16, 2021, 2:44 PM)
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Ahr Aitch
Novice
Aug 16, 2021, 2:32 PM
Post #3 of 13
(1476 views)
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Re: Adding Lights - '90 Ford F150 4.9L ~ 190k Miles
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That link also is not working in Firefox. I'll try Brave and see if it works.
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Ahr Aitch
Novice
Aug 16, 2021, 2:38 PM
Post #4 of 13
(1470 views)
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Re: Adding Lights - '90 Ford F150 4.9L ~ 190k Miles
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Now I can follow the links using Brave but Upload Photo isn't offered on a new post. It is offered here in this Reply but clicking on it doesn't work.
I'm asked to sign in to Photo Management Pro. Using my credentials for this forum does not work. I get "Login Failed" Try again.
(This post was edited by Ahr Aitch on Aug 16, 2021, 3:36 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 16, 2021, 2:41 PM
Post #5 of 13
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Re: Adding Lights - '90 Ford F150 4.9L ~ 190k Miles
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I don't know if you have something blocking on your computer but that link certainly works. I use it all the time. Try a different browser if you think that's what it is.
You do have to separately register in the imaging software.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Ahr Aitch
Novice
Aug 16, 2021, 3:31 PM
Post #6 of 13
(1446 views)
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Re: Adding Lights - '90 Ford F150 4.9L ~ 190k Miles
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OK! I've managed to create an account with Image Management System. I created a folder and uploaded the image. The folder and image show up in IMS but I can't seem to get the image to add to my op. ??
(This post was edited by Ahr Aitch on Aug 16, 2021, 4:50 PM)
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Ahr Aitch
Novice
Aug 16, 2021, 3:37 PM
Post #7 of 13
(1429 views)
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Re: Adding Lights - '90 Ford F150 4.9L ~ 190k Miles
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Thanks for your patience, Hammer Time. I think I've got it now.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 16, 2021, 3:40 PM
Post #8 of 13
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Re: Adding Lights - '90 Ford F150 4.9L ~ 190k Miles
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OK, I fixed the link for you but now you have to go back into the image software and reduce the size of that image by at least 50%.
That's a pretty basic relay circuit but you said you were doing this for backup lights but you don't have it wired to only work in reverse.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Ahr Aitch
Novice
Aug 16, 2021, 6:00 PM
Post #9 of 13
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Re: Adding Lights - '90 Ford F150 4.9L ~ 190k Miles
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Thanks, Hammer Time!
Give it another look. I made some changes where I found errors or missing wires. Note that the factory installed backup light switch stays in place delivering current to the taillight assemblies when in reverse. I show that I will tap into the same wire that powers that factory switch to trigger the backup lights relay. That relay can also be fired by turning on the dashboard switch. Finally, I colored circles showing where wire connections to existing wiring will be done; and I showed where I plan to use new wiring.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 16, 2021, 6:16 PM
Post #10 of 13
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Re: Adding Lights - '90 Ford F150 4.9L ~ 190k Miles
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You wrote that diagram yourself? What are you, an electrical engineer? That's a pretty nice diagram.
You're powering both backup lights and camper lights off a single 5A fuse. That may not be enough if they both run at the same time.
You want to put that fuse as close to the power source as possible. It would be unfused between the fuse and the source.
You also want to make sure the "hot in run" circuit is fused.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 16, 2021, 9:42 PM
Post #11 of 13
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Re: Adding Lights - '90 Ford F150 4.9L ~ 190k Miles
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Forgive me if all wrong but YOU want to just add back up lights so you can see backing up? Let's not go wild with engineering for a 1990 truck - about any.
Just tap into the existing useless bulb's wiring right at them, put LED bulbs in OE sockets to use the little they'll help but reduce power draw. Just use that for power and frame for ground so one wire to LED spot or flood lights under back bumper or if none with camper on back make a metal "L" iron with holes to work with.
Ebay or other place will have 100s of choices for spot light, flood lights best that you aim as you need are bright as headlights for backing up.
On my own two of my vehicles I've done this, one a snow plow truck (brand doesn't matter) as 1/2 the use is backing up I CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT IN SNOW STORMS or any other time either is blind NOW bright as all get out.
Those can be damaged and just bend is what I did so bend them back if in this case a snow bank unseen was backed into or other harmless reason.
This works famously for me - a work machine truck no toys but a model year '97 back up lights and LED use so little power it's been now ages without problems over just that detail.
The lights: I suggest search out type, the ones used for the roll bars on off road things or other assorted equipment just need a wide range of DC voltage use the truck's existing back up switch why make a hassle out of it for this time?
Dumb as it seems it's NOT. Running into stuff or other vehicles for lack of seeing backwards is a real problem, what I said fixes it going on 18 years same truck and a dark glass Jeep too dark in my situation to see well backing up ONE of those light is enough.
Cost almost nothing but one wire to power I had metal stock on hand - home centers/hardware stores or scraps if you have junk around to take some from??
Do what you want but running a separate wire and switch you are just adding trouble if that gets pulled down for any reason hope only you use fused power existing or add one sold anywhere,
Tom
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 17, 2021, 10:10 AM
Post #13 of 13
(1318 views)
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Re: Adding Lights - '90 Ford F150 4.9L ~ 190k Miles
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Sounds like you've covered all the bases.
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