One black wire with ?? in each tail lights

[Gulfbreeze]

The complete tail lights assembly bezel is off on both rear tail lights left and right side that was removed by someone else. I am trying to put it all back together. I have identified the brake/turn, backup, and tail lights. On each side left and right side coming out of the hole with the tail, brake/turn, back up light wires there is a single black wire with a rubber socket and something that looks like a bulb that appear to be all in one piece about one inch long. What is this? Where does it go to and from? What is it for?

[cgseanp]

To clarify, this is separate from the other 3 wires that are coming out (turn signal/break, running lights and ground)? On my trailer, the black wire is for the turn signal/brakes on both sides.

[Gulfbreeze]

Originally Posted by cgseanp

To clarify, this is separate from the other 3 wires that are coming out (turn signal/break, running lights and ground)?

Yes this is separate. It a single black wire enclosed on the end with what looks like a rubber socket with a bulb that has a flat top on it. It is sealed and about one inch long. There one on each side coming out of the hole for wiring.
I have identified the turn signal/break, running lights, and backup light wires.

[TG Twinkie]

I believe it is part of a fiber optics system which enable the TV driver to see if the rear lights on the coach are working. Look on the front of the coach for small lights.

Sent from my VS500 using Airstream Forums mobile app

[Gulfbreeze]

Picture.

[TheGreatleys]

Originally Posted by Gulfbreeze

Picture.

That's the fiber optics. The bulb shaped thing fits into the back of the taillight housing and faces the tail light bulb. The other end is on the street side of the coach toward the front, facing forward. There are two little bulbs on it that look kind of like LEDs. When your brake or turn signals illuminate, you can see them through the fiber optics in your driver's side mirror.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Airstream Forums mobile app

[alantbird]

Best idea ever.
They were very innovative in the 70s

[TheGreatleys]

Originally Posted by alantbird

Best idea ever.
They were very innovative in the 70s

They're pretty cool until you hit one of the cables with your drill while you're pulling one of the windows out for repair. Any way to splice fiber optic cable that doesn't cost hundreds of dollars? ...asking for a friend...

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Airstream Forums mobile app

[TG Twinkie]

The most difficult part would be cutting the cable squarely. Then put the 2 cut ends tight together inside a piece of heat shrink tubing.
Shrink the tubing tight to prevent ambient light from entering.
Might be worth a try.


Sent from my VS500 using Airstream Forums mobile app

[Gulfbreeze]

What brake/turn light bulb should it have? Does it need to be a red color bulb so it can be seen at the box on the side that has what looks like LED?

[TheGreatleys]

Originally Posted by Gulfbreeze

What brake/turn light bulb should it have? Does it need to be a red color bulb so it can be seen at the box on the side that has what looks like LED?

It needs to be the dual function 1157. It doesn't matter what color as far as the fiber optics are concerned, but I'd recommend matching the bulb color to the lens color. A white bulb under a red lens looks washed out orange, and is less readily recognizable as a brake signal.

I like these LED bulbs:

https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...ofit-car/1689/

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Airstream Forums mobile app