Hey Carter, License Plate light...

[Cal_Gary]

Carter and all,
Here are a couple of pictures of mine. I got a big round magnet at the local craft shop, got the actual light at the local Auto parts store, siliconed the light assembly to the magnet then routed a barrel connector to the positive side and a flat spade connector for the ground. Easily removable when not needed.
Gary

[Sal]

I used the same universal licence plate light that Gary used but mounted it on the license plate holder I made out of sheet metal and attached it under the drivers side tail light. By doing it this way all I had to run was a short jumper wire to one of the tail light connectors. (#21) The light is grounded through the mounting bolts on the tail light. I also had to replace the 12 volt bulb the fixture came with 24 volt one.

PLATE3.jpg (27.83 KiB) Viewed 1188 times

Sal

[Carter]

Gary; That is a great idea and I have several such magnets that will do the job for me. I used that same style light on my equipment trailer.
Now a question, what is the number of the wire you tapped for the electric power to the light?

Sal; My problem is that I have mounted the plate on the tailgate using existing holes so I need something that will accommodate that set-up. I will figure out something but no hurry since I do not drive at very much at night.

[Cal_Gary]

Remember Carter that I use a Painless Performance wiring harness on mine; however, to provide a target for you, I just ran a jumper wire from my taillight wire (grab your multimeter if you need to run down the wire on your harness). I fabbed up a ground wire and ran it from the light cover screw to the frame. DO NOT rely on the magnet/light housing to self=ground-I tried it and it didn't work very well. Using a barrel connector on the positive side ensures that you won't short it out when not using the light but have your running lights on for whatever reason-I tuck the wires behind my license plate. Using a spade terminal on the negative side ensures that you won't plug the wires in bass-ackward since you're using different connectors on each wire.

Sal has a nice set-up going too-well done Sir!

Glad I could help,
Gary

[Carter]

You both have done very inventive work and I will attempt to do a thorough workman like job as demonstrated by you both, thanks guys for such great ideas.

[just me]

You could just plug into the trailer harness connector instead of splicing into your harness...

[Carter]

You could just plug into the trailer harness connector instead of splicing into your harness...

Great idea, never thought of that.