Headache Rack light wiring

[wickedwhitetails]

I have a 2011 chevy and I built a headache rack to go on it. I made cut outs on both sides for one white and one red LED light to be used as running/turn signals and then the whites for auxiliary/backup lights.

Here are the lights
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Trailer-Truck-LED-Sealed-RED-6-Oval-Stop-Turn-Tail-Light-w-grommet-plug/301279392260?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3D7be0ae4bdfa0412e927faa120318d636%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D20131003132420%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D291260748229&rt=nc
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Clear-White-LED-Oval-Trailer-Truck-Reverse-Back-Up-Fog-Light-with-Grommet-/291260748229?pt=Motors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43d07e51c5&vxp=mtr

I planned on buying a harness to add a second 7 pin outlet under the bed somewhere so that I could wire up the lights and then just plug them into the 7 pin outlet. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200575783_200575783

My question here is I have seen that the center pin is called out as a reverse light wire as well as an auxiliary light wire. I have read that the center post has constant power. How would that ever work for reverse lights then. My goal is to have them come on when in reverse and also mount a switch to the headache rack so that I can turn them on at night when getting stuff out of the bed or when loading stuff on to a trailer. If anyone has any insight on this I would appreciate it.

 

[JoshH]

The center post is the reverse light circuit. It shouldn't have constant 12 volt power.

 

[wickedwhitetails]

That's what I thought. How are guys getting power to there enclosed trailers for interior lights then?

 

[wickedwhitetails]

I just found a diagram labeling the connections. The center is in fact the reverse power. It seems that the 11 o'clock position if looking at the outlet on the back of the truck is a 12V power source. Can anyone verify this? Also does the truck have to be on for this to have power?

 

[f1100turbo]

I just found a diagram labeling the connections. The center is in fact the reverse power. It seems that the 11 o'clock position if looking at the outlet on the back of the truck is a 12V power source. Can anyone verify this? Also does the truck have to be on for this to have power?

Yes it's a 12V power source.



Turbs

 

[wickedwhitetails]

Yes it's a 12V power source.



Turbs

Do you know if the truck has to be running for this to have power to it?

 

[JoshH]

I just found a diagram labeling the connections. The center is in fact the reverse power. It seems that the 11 o'clock position if looking at the outlet on the back of the truck is a 12V power source. Can anyone verify this? Also does the truck have to be on for this to have power?

I think the key does have to be on.

 

[wickedwhitetails]

Finished

Just wanted to give an update so that I can answer some of my questions in case someone else is trying to do this. For one the 12v power is hot all of the time regardless of the key being on or the truck running. Also to have the backup/white lights work like I wanted. I mounted goose neck harness extension under the bed and then ran a section of trailer cable to the headache rack. Before it made it to the rack I routed 4 wires through the cab vent and then under the seal plate to right under the dash.

The four wires were.
12v power
reverse power
ground
feed wire to the white lights.

I then mounted them to a 3 position switch. I can now have it so it runs with the reverse lights each time I back up, Off where they will not come on at all, or manually on where as soon as I flip the switch they come on. I can use them while working behind the truck, loading a trailer, or just getting something out of the bed. It ended up coming out just like I had planned and I love it.

 

[drperry]

Wire the 12V power to a relay, so it's only on when the key is on... Going to be swapping out the factory GM plug so I can run 8ga power wire to the trailer...