Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-13-2004, 06:23 PM   #1
4 Rivet Member
 
DPeakMD's Avatar
 
1975 23' Safari
1978 31' Excella 500
Franklin , Indiana
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 481
Images: 2
Send a message via Yahoo to DPeakMD
Question Brake/Turn Light Wiring Question (late 70's)

When replacing all of the tail light bulbs and lenses on our '78, I was perplexed to find that the outer tail light was a dual filament--but only the filament for clearance lights was working... First thinking it was the bulbs, I checked them, but that wasn't it, so I tore into the area behind the housing and found the wire for the stop/brake filament was lying there loose. In fact, it appeared to have never been connected to the wiring harness on either side. I wonder if everybody else's are that way?

I had always been concerned about people seeing the brake lights and turn signals on our '72, since it only has one small round light for both. I wanted to add a little visual intensity to prevent someone from rear-ending us (there's a tragic photo of this on Andy's website http://www.inlandrv.com/airstream-pics01/crunch101.htm). So, I hooked up the wire to the other brake/turn light signal.

Below are the pictures before and after my modification...pretend in your mind that the clearance lights are off and the brakes are activated. I actually have a tester gizmo that I use for that purpose.

Let me know if you think this violates any safety laws. I can't imagine what the drawback would be to having an extra indicator for stops and turns, especially since it seems to be the way it was intended from the manufacturer of the tail lights.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	before.JPG
Views:	235
Size:	41.4 KB
ID:	7741   Click image for larger version

Name:	after.JPG
Views:	234
Size:	35.5 KB
ID:	7742  

__________________
Dallas Peak, MD 'That 70's Guy!'
VAC Past President
WBCCI #8481
DPeakMD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2004, 07:32 AM   #2
Rivet Master
 
Chaplain Kent's Avatar
 
1994 30' Excella
Currently Looking...
Milwaukee , Wisconsin
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,935
I like what you did . On my '75 Tradewind I had to remove the outer clearance lense and replace it with a reflector since the lense can not be replaced and mine was broke. I did this on both sides to be legal. Your fix, if I can do it on mine, would give me more light, I'll see what I can do.
Thanks,
Kent
Chaplain Kent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2004, 09:09 AM   #3
Rivet Master
 
JohnG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 541
It looks much better now. I think the more you have for someone to see the better off you are.

I have actually been considering adding a red diode bar (LED) across the back between the lights in order to let people know that I am stopping.

There was a study done on the added 3rd or center red light that was added to cars and trucks for braking and it showed something like a 60 percent increase in driver awearness to the slowing or stopping of the vehicle in front of them. If a 60% increase works on cars then it should work on AIrstreams too I think.

I'm only a little hesitant on placing this light back there because I really want it to look like it was factory installed and not just some add-on hanging there.
__________________
Just adding my 2¢ worth

John G
___________________________
1975 31ft Sovereign International
........Rear Bath Double Bed Model
Tow Vehicle:1999 GMC Serria SLE Classic 1500 5.7Ltr
System: Jordon 2020 Ultima Brake Controller
Hook-Up: Equalizing Hitch and Sway Bar
JohnG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2004, 12:46 PM   #4
4 Rivet Member
 
DPeakMD's Avatar
 
1975 23' Safari
1978 31' Excella 500
Franklin , Indiana
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 481
Images: 2
Send a message via Yahoo to DPeakMD
Chaplain Kent, there may be salvation (I know, bad pun) for your outside marker light. You're right, there are no more replacements for the originals. However, if you take a file to the regualar clearance lights, they'll fit easily into that space. I know you can't tell from the photo, but that's how mine were fixed.

John, I like your idea about the center mounted LED!!! I've thought about that as well. It would be a fairly easy job for those of us with a rear compartment, too, since access would be a lot easier. I've seen this done to other vintage units with good results.

A really cool addition I also saw at the International from another vintage club member (Paul Fancy) was to take a strip of the DOT reflector material and mount it underneath the bumper on a strip of metal such that it was facing straight up and down. I'll try and dig up a picture if anyone is interested.
__________________
Dallas Peak, MD 'That 70's Guy!'
VAC Past President
WBCCI #8481
DPeakMD is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
hitch wiring question Craig Lights - Interior & Exterior 4 07-18-2004 06:09 AM
Tail Light Wiring sshadow Electrical - Systems, Generators, Batteries & Solar 4 10-31-2003 10:17 AM
Wiring new interior light Tin Hut Lights - Interior & Exterior 3 10-29-2003 07:03 PM
Suburban tow package wiring question uwe On The Road... 9 08-29-2003 02:08 PM
Clearance light wiring Bob Evans Lights - Interior & Exterior 6 05-27-2002 11:03 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:48 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.