Trailer light wiring dilemma

[cactusjack]

I have a question related to trailer light wiring. I will be using a Hoppy taillight converter to isolate my trailer electricals from the Nomad. The Hoppy output is 4 wires: LT/stop, RT/stop, tail/marker, and ground. I know how to wire the 4 marker lights and the STT LED units for the back end.

I thought this might be a good opportunity to use the 15" slimline STT light I bought a while back for my trunk, that didn't quite work as planned. I was thinking of mounting it on the rear of the cargo box near the top, to act as a third brake light/running light. My problem is this: Since the turn and stop signals are carried on the same wire, how can this be done? Again. the running light part is no problem, but if I connect the 15" light to one of the stop/turn wires, the brake light will work, but the light would blink if the turn signal was actuated. That in and of itself, wouldn't be such a bad thing, as it would act as an additional turn signal indicator. Is there some way I could connect the stop/turn wire of the 15" light to both the RT/Stop and LT/Stop of the trailer lights? There is a problem with this, because then there would be a continuous circuit to both taillights and the right signal would blink when the left is activated and vice-versa. Would it be possible to place a diode inline so when one signal is activated it would not flash the other?


Here is a crude schematic of my idea:



I realize that one way to solve this problem would be to run a direct connection from the brake light circuit on the bike to the stop light wire on the third brake light, but that would defeat the purpose of the Hoppy converter and would require an additional connector at the hitch. I'd like to retain the standard 4-pole connection between the bike and the trailer, so I could use the trailer with another vehicle, if desired.

[cactusjack]

I dunno... maybe it's not worth the effort if it can't be done easily. Maybe I'm better off just using the 15" LED bar for a running/tail light?

[phenrichs]

Buy another LED light and use one for each turn. More light = More safety right?

[Yellow Jacket]

Looking at your schematic here is how I believe it would work.

Either turn signal on but with brakes off: STT brake light would flash
Brakes on with no turn signal on: STT brake light on steady
Either turn signal on and brake on: STT brake light on steady

The diodes will prevent the opposite turn signal from flashing but won't stop the STT from flashing with either turn signal on. Whenever the brake is on the STT will be on solid.

At this moment I can't think of a way to wire it so that the STT brake light wouldn't flash when a turn signal was on.

I have seen trailers with a third brake light mounted on the top so there must be a way. However, I don't know if they are using a 4 pin or 5 pin connector to do it.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Yellow Jacket

Looking at your schematic here is how I believe it would work.

Either turn signal on but with brakes off: STT brake light would flash
Brakes on with no turn signal on: STT brake light on steady
Either turn signal on and brake on: STT brake light on steady

The diodes will prevent the opposite turn signal from flashing but won't stop the STT from flashing with either turn signal on. Whenever the brake is on the STT will be on solid.

At this moment I can't think of a way to wire it so that the STT brake light wouldn't flash when a turn signal was on.

Having the STT light flash when the turn signal is on wouldn't be such a bad thing. The appropriate lower turn signal would be flashing, too. Assuming a left turn, below:

. >> [-------] <<


. >> [--] << [--]

That might not be a bad idea. (Sorry, the editor doesn't like blank spaces)

I do have 2 of those 15" STT lights, I suppose I could mount them end to end, if I have enough width on the cargo box. That might be overkill, though.

Just kind of thinking out loud, here...

[Yellow Jacket]

Ah, since you have two of them that would be ideal to just use them both. Wouldn't have to mess with diodes. As you say, the only question is do you have enough room. No such thing as overkill in my opinion! :)

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Yellow Jacket

Ah, since you have two of them that would be ideal to just use them both. Wouldn't have to mess with diodes. As you say, the only question is do you have enough room. No such thing as overkill in my opinion! :)

That same philosophy applies to riding apparel too, doesn't it Bob? ..........I joke, I joke. ::)

Thanks for the advice, slow day at work, you know.

[Yellow Jacket]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

That same philosophy applies to riding apparel too, doesn't it Bob? ..........I joke, I joke. ::)

Thanks for the advice, slow day at work, you know.

Heh, heh, heh! You've got that right Scott! I'm thinking I need some strobe lights on top of my helmet.

CJ, my feeling is that trailers usually need more running lights. If people can see your running lights clearly, they'll always notice your brake lights when they come on. If your running lights are too wimpy, they'll get right on your tail and when the brake lights do come on they'll see 'em but will be too close already to stop comfortably. The more running lights you have on a trailer, the bigger it looks at night, and the farther people will stay from it.

At least that's my theory. I'd forget the diodes and just use the led arrays as high-mounted running lights.

[cactusjack]

You know CQ, every time I go off on one of my half-baked. poorly thought out schemes, you always have some logical reasoning that keeps me from doing something stupid. Thanks, man.

It's what I live for, buddy. ;)

[cactusjack]

I may have come up with a solution to this seemingly insurmountable problem: Click Here

Does it cost more than two more of those LED lights?

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by caddmannq

Does it cost more than two more of those LED lights?

No. It's only $16.

Can't beat that!