Back up alarm wiring

[RBRONKEMA GHTFD]

Hey guys, working on installing a some back up alarms for my fd. I am planning on wiring them to the reverse light circuit for power. My question is on one of the trucks we would like the ability to shut the alarm off while the truck is in reverse. We have a V-con siren in the truck with a empty switch that I would like to use to do this thru. How could I wire it up? Never done one like this before. Thanks.

 

[Steve0625]

Ryan,


Check the current draw on the alarms. If it is more than a couple of amps, consider using a relay to trigger the alarm. Run separately fused power (if not already available on the switch) to the switch and then on to the relay.

 

[RBRONKEMA GHTFD]

These alarms draw about a amp or 2. so I think I can go without a relay. We want them wired so when the truck goes into reverse they come on (which can be achieved by tying them into the reverse light circuit) but if we want to turn them off for what ever reason we would like to. But we want to use our C3 V-con sirens as they already have empty switches and we don't have to try and mount another switch. Thanks.

 

[Tlauden]

Just use a relay if you want to switch it. I'm not familier with the switch box you mention but it shouldn't be hard

 

[RBRONKEMA GHTFD]

This is the siren we have in our trucks. There are 4 aux buttons on the siren that we would like to use. However they are wired into a board from the factory so its not like I can use it as a breaker. I get the whole relay idea, but the questions is how do I go about it? Do I need a 5 pin relay? This is kind of what I am thinking


Power from the aux switch to relay pin # 86


Relay power to pin # 30


Relay ground to pin # 85


Alarm power run to pin # 87.


Now what I am thinking is when the switch is pushed "on" the switch inside the relay will remove power from the alarm until the switch is "off"

 

[Tlauden]

Yes, a 5 pin relay will be your best Option here.


Pin 86- Relay Power (from siren controller)


Pin 85- Relay Ground


Pin 30- Positive feed from reverse light circuit


pin 87A- Wire going to positive side of back up alarm


Remember though when you activate your switch with this setup it will break the circuit supplying power to your back up alarm, BUT Pin 87 will become Powered. I suggest putting a little Peice of wire (maybe an inch long) on pin 87 then capping off the wire. That way you won't short out on anything.


This may also be of help, I know personally I like illustrations rather than someone trying to explain

 

[RBRONKEMA GHTFD]

Yes, a 5 pin relay will be your best Option here.

Pin 86- Relay Power (from siren controller)


Pin 85- Relay Ground


Pin 30- Positive feed from reverse light circuit


pin 87A- Wire going to positive side of back up alarm


Remember though when you activate your switch with this setup it will break the circuit supplying power to your back up alarm, BUT Pin 87 will become Powered. I suggest putting a little Peice of wire (maybe an inch long) on pin 87 then capping off the wire. That way you won't short out on anything.


This may also be of help, I know personally I like illustrations rather than someone trying to explain


View attachment 50240

I am the exact way. VISUAL LEARNER! Thanks. I appreciate the help guys.

 

[Hoser]

We had a Chief that went nut's with back up alarms on our cars and utilities. Pain in the but when you have a lift assist and have to back out of a drive or complex at 2 am. We did the simplest change we added a toggle switch to the ground and just flipped it off if to shut of backing alarm.

 

[JazzDad]

[duplicate, website running slowly]

 

[JazzDad]

If you create a method for disabling the backup alarm, and someone gets backed over...


The lawsuit would not go well for you. Might just sign a blank check and leave it in the truck.

 

[FSEP]

I know this is completely off topic, but... I saw a mini van (soccer mom) that had a "backing up alarm". I kind of just stared as she backed up and drove away...

 

[NPS Ranger]

Backup alarms are awesome in crowded parking lots full of braindead people walking to their cars. Get one with self-adjusting volume so you don't sound like the garbage truck over on the next block.

 

[Shawn L]

a momentary switch hooked to the ground of the back up beeper is the safest way to disable the back up beeper, I have also seen timers used, either way after you back out the unit resets and works next time w/o having to remember to turn the back up beeper back on

 

[irsa76]

Yes, a 5 pin relay will be your best Option here.

Pin 86- Relay Power (from siren controller)


Pin 85- Relay Ground


Pin 30- Positive feed from reverse light circuit


pin 87A- Wire going to positive side of back up alarm


Remember though when you activate your switch with this setup it will break the circuit supplying power to your back up alarm, BUT Pin 87 will become Powered. I suggest putting a little Peice of wire (maybe an inch long) on pin 87 then capping off the wire. That way you won't short out on anything.


This may also be of help, I know personally I like illustrations rather than someone trying to explain


View attachment 50240

Rather then a piece of wire off pin 87, wire it up to a warning light in the cab marked beeper OFF. Or use a NC relay so when you push the button it opens the relay, shutting the beeper off.

Backup alarms are awesome in crowded parking lots full of braindead people walking to their cars. Get one with self-adjusting volume so you don't sound like the garbage truck over on the next block.

These are PITA in parking garages etc, they get LOUDER! They're also sensitive to where you mount them, iirc you can't tuck them under the back like normal beepers.

 

[Torpedo]

Auto defaults to alarm on each time you leave reverse. Disables alarm with your switch via added standard 5 pin relay.


Wire relay as follows.


30: reverse lights+


85: ground


86 and 87: jumpered together and wire from your cut off switch+


87A: Alarm+


Description: When back up lights energize, alarm and lights come on.


When switch is activated (momentary switch is best, maintained switch will not auto default* but circuit will still work, see liability) pin 86 pulls in relay which then latches from reverse lights + and stops audible alarm at the same time. A diode is necessary from 85 to 86 with the lined end of diode at 86. This will prevent spike to switch which may be electronic in a newer truck (This spike occurs when power is removed from relay and is reverse polarity which this diode will squash by shorting across spike). You don't want to spike that brain, get help if you need it or pm me. *I designed this circuit for E one with a momentary switch so engines could be backed in without waking the neighbors or remaining crew at station. Auto default to alarm available was a requirement of the design request for safety and liability issues. Holding the switch while selecting reverse will render alarm completely silent, (as would a maintained switch, forgotten.) DOH ! Also, if you must use maintained switch feed it from ignition to avoid draw on batt. when switch gets left on in parked truck. Relays don't draw much but, over time,...um...yeah.


:duh:

 

[Torpedo]

Why not just wire the audible alarm to the V con switch and if you want the alarm hit the switch. Not likely to forget it's on and no relay/diodes madness necessary at all.

 

[irsa76]

Why not just wire the audible alarm to the V con switch and if you want the alarm hit the switch. Not likely to forget it's on and no relay/diodes madness necessary at all.

Problem with that is for liability reasons it should be ON as a default with the option to turn it OFF when the situation dictates. Some locations require backalarms on larger vehicles so the even having the ability to turn it off manually would be illegal. There are backup alarms available which are dual mode, default high volume then can be manually selected on low volume when required, as this is required in some EU countries. The back up alarm on the Mercedes Sprinter has this function, and is most welcome.

 

[RBRONKEMA GHTFD]

I have to agree with not putting it directly to the v-con switch. I did mount them and we did put a relay in the truck to kill the alarm. The only reason we really wanted the ability to shut it off was if we were headed somewhere and needed to stage in the area for PD or if it was at night in a subdivision.