3rd brake light wiring question

[68jimmy]

I'm getting ready to setup my cargo light with an led panel to use for a 3rd brake light. My question is where should I attach the 12v side from the brake light switch? And should I just attach a ground wire to the cab?

Thanks in advance....

donovan

[Brad]

In my Camaro I tapped into the existing brake lights, however I don't think this is technically the proper way to do it. When I press the brakes and use a turn signal I notice that the 3rd brake light momentarily goes out, however otherwise it's worked fine for several years.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

The easiest way on a pickup is to tie in with the stop light switch. Use the term. that comes live when the pedal is depressed. Ground the other side of the light.On cars they have kits with diodes. You tie in with the stop lights & the diode prevents it from feeding to the other side. You can use alt. diodes.

[Longhorn Man]

There's an orange wire, and a white wire on the brake light switch, the orange should be full time 12 volts, the white should be the switched side. Double check before 'tapping into' the wire, but if I'm not mistaken, the white wire will be hot when the brake is applied, and the wire is before the power is split up to left and right, which would be flashing on one side or the other when a turn signal is on.
Tap into said wire, run a new wire up to the new light, and ground the other side of the lamp to the cab.

[68jimmy]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

There's an orange wire, and a white wire on the brake light switch, the orange should be full time 12 volts, the white should be the switched side. Double check before 'tapping into' the wire, but if I'm not mistaken, the white wire will be hot when the brake is applied, and the wire is before the power is split up to left and right, which would be flashing on one side or the other when a turn signal is on.
Tap into said wire, run a new wire up to the new light, and ground the other side of the lamp to the cab.

That's exactly the route I took and it works great...

Thanks for all the replies.

donovan