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adding extra back up lights

Help, Advice, Owners' Discussion and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's stylish, distinctive P2 platform cars sold as model years 2001-2007 (North American market year designations).

2001 - 2007 V70
2001 - 2004 V70 XC (Cross Country)
2004 - 2007 XC70 (Cross Country)
2001 - 2009 S60
2003 - 2007 S60 R
2004 - 2007 V70 R

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azureblue
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adding extra back up lights

Post by azureblue »

Can I just tap into the trailer electrical connector, to hook up an Led light bar, for extra back up lights? I think I will mount it under the bumper..
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2002 V70 Wagon
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darrylrobert
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Post by darrylrobert »

depends on how much current its drawing. to be on the safe side i recommend using a relay.
1981 260 GLE converted to 240 M46 after auto box failure
1987 740t auto converted to M47
1997 V70t5 auto converted to M56
1998 V70 factory M56 (parts car)
2001 XC70 factory M58
2002 XC70 auto (parts car)

azureblue
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Post by azureblue »

I'm not trying to re create the sun back there - just one of those small 6 LED units in the middle. :-) Would you know what the maximum current draw from the connector would be?
544
122s
144 wagon
240
740T Wagon
850R Wagon
2002 V70 Wagon
2014 S60 T5

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oragex
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Post by oragex »

I don't think it would hurt. Just try wiring it directly to a bulb connector. I did so with the 3rd brake light, like the result, I think it helps getting more attention when braking www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_3Wrx2JvBE

azureblue
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Post by azureblue »

I was thinking about that too. So the extra drain on the bulb connector won't throw a warning?
544
122s
144 wagon
240
740T Wagon
850R Wagon
2002 V70 Wagon
2014 S60 T5

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darrylrobert
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Post by darrylrobert »

I swapped all my rear lights with LED including the revereser lights, very bright and white not yellow. As for the bulb out warning, if i recall there isnt one for reverse lights, or i did the add a resistor to the shunt trick..
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shunt mod
1981 260 GLE converted to 240 M46 after auto box failure
1987 740t auto converted to M47
1997 V70t5 auto converted to M56
1998 V70 factory M56 (parts car)
2001 XC70 factory M58
2002 XC70 auto (parts car)

azureblue
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Post by azureblue »

Thanks - If there isn't a bulb out warning for the back up lights then A swap would work better
544
122s
144 wagon
240
740T Wagon
850R Wagon
2002 V70 Wagon
2014 S60 T5

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foggydogg
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Post by foggydogg »

+1 on replacing the existing bulbs, did it on both my V70s, brighter and whiter both.
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RichCrewe
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Post by RichCrewe »

Could you tap into the trailer light circuit? (Ideally by just buying the correct cable/connector rather than splicing in.) If that's fused for a 21W incandescent bulb, that should support a fairly hefty LED array.

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