Visit our Popular Forums

clancy_boy · 09-05-2007, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henw

Who's got a pic. Is it 1+6. 1+7. Or, 3+4.

Tom

Look at your 7 pin connector on your trailer. Hold it so that the outside rim "key" (the little bump that keeps it aligned in the socket) is up - it's the two sockets on either side of the key. The left one will be power the right one is the lights. Use a FUSED connector, they are cheap - I don't even crimp a connector to the bare wires - seems to hold well - just shove it in there. There may be a spark - you will jump every time - I do.

I want to make a gizmo like above with a flasher unit inside - can you post some parts lists and wire runs for us all??

SilverCabin · 09-05-2007, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosetags

Put a 20 amp fuse in it.

10a or 20a fuse? An earlier post (#7) said 10a.

Randy

Steve & Susan · 09-05-2007, 08:58 AM

I use a 10 - I think it's a red one.

clancy_boy · 09-05-2007, 09:05 AM

10a or 20a - in either case they will blow fast if there is a dead short. I use the yellow 20 amp fuse - I had to buy a box one time and that was the package size that Wally World had. I checked mine and on my trailer the light circuit is protected by a 20 amp fuse, so one or the other will pop if you accidentally touch the power to ground.

Excella CM · 09-05-2007, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

You could put an addressable module switch in the base of each light then address each light. You could control the lights with a laptop, embedded chip, or a million other ways. This would save the rewiring and only cost you a few hundred to a few grand.But you would not have to rewire.

Seems like the right answer and might not be that expensive. Using l.e.d. lights would reduce the current switching and you could have just about any pattern you wanted. Also, a simple timer circuit at each light, each one with a progressively longer base would give sequential lights, although the intervals might "drift" over time, but that might not be bad either. Definitely an amateur electronics project.

clancy_boy · 09-05-2007, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Excella CM

Seems like the right answer and might not be that expensive. Using l.e.d. lights would reduce the current switching and you could have just about any pattern you wanted. Also, a simple timer circuit at each light, each one with a progressively longer base would give sequential lights, although the intervals might "drift" over time, but that might not be bad either. Definitely an amateur electronics project.

Now you guys have gone and done it - I'm thinking about a winter project - gotta have flashing lights at the Can Opener.........

Minnie's Mate · 09-05-2007, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clancy_boy

Now you guys have gone and done it - I'm thinking about a winter project - gotta have flashing lights at the Can Opener.........

I'm so dense, I'll do good to cram a 20 amp fuse in the umbilical without blowing up the Airstream in the driveway much less get it to work at the Can Opener!

Minnie's Mate · 09-05-2007, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinhutjohn

Flashing is easy...

Yes, but I believe it is illegal in all 50 states.

grantb4 · 09-05-2007, 12:44 PM

Sounds like fun. I found these links on the web and one has a drawing:

Emergency Flasher for RV Trailer Marker Lights

7-way - 7 pole RV Travel Trailer Connector Wiring Color Code

Don't know if it's correct or not though

safari57 · 09-05-2007, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvivrette

On occasion, I have seen Airstreams with their running lights blinking while in a showroom... Upon closer examination, they have a blinker module plugged directly into the electric hookup that would normally go to the to the tow vehicle. Now... my simple brain tells me that if you were parked in a campground and wanted to put your running lights on just for "ambience", you should be able to cross-connect a couple pins in that connector. Has anybody done this? Any dangers that should be considered?

Thanks!

- Robert

Here's what I do. Works fine. No, I didn't fuse it, maybe I should but I've never had a problem (till now of course). Suggest for the flasher you get a heavy duty one.

it's funny, this very thing came up on another thread yesterday so I posted my pics there as well. Great minds think alike.

Barry

overlander63 · 09-05-2007, 08:38 PM

For you guys that want to have flashing lights, without getting "those strange looks" when you ask for a flasher for your travel trailer, you want a #552 flasher,, or electronic equivalent.

clancy_boy · 09-06-2007, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander63

For you guys that want to have flashing lights, without getting "those strange looks" when you ask for a flasher for your travel trailer, you want a #552 flasher,, or electronic equivalent.

Thank You, I'm going by Flying J to look this weekend.

henw · 09-06-2007, 06:49 AM

Why stop at flashing running lights. How about a party strobe light? ½ Off Sale! – Sound & Lighting - DJ Equipment – Mirror Balls – Foggers.
I wonder if the awning can be made to flap to the music?

Tom

Minnie's Mate · 09-06-2007, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henw

I wonder if the awning can be made to flap to the music?

Tom

If you have the money....

Excella CM · 09-07-2007, 05:34 PM

Why not take a 12Volt photo relay and combine it with one of those cheap l.e.d. flashlights that can automatically flash Morse code SOS signals? Then you can have your rig lights flash S.O.S. if you get into a real bind.

Fenghuang · 07-01-2008, 12:20 AM

Thanks Kevin for the idea of using a fuse. Here are photos of my trailer's LED running lights operating without being hooked up to the tow vehicle, and a photo of the fuse in the plug.

TBRich · 07-01-2008, 02:18 AM

For those who are squeamish about sticking wires into your umbilical cord, there is a product called a FlashCube that you can buy...you plug the umbilical into it and you can have the running lights on and/or the rear flashers working while not hooked to the TV. It's not particularly cheap, but at least you know for sure that you are not going to blow anything. Here's the link: flashCube - Emergency Flasher and Campsite Illumination

grantb4 · 07-01-2008, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenghuang

Thanks Kevin for the idea of using a fuse. Here are photos of my trailer's LED running lights operating without being hooked up to the tow vehicle, and a photo of the fuse in the plug.

Nice pics. Is that San Clemente?

ROBERTSUNRUS · 07-01-2008, 11:44 PM

Hi, I went a little bit overboard, but it was fun building my own light box. It has a red pilot light to indicate that I have a power source and ground. A three way switch to control whether the lights are off, on steady, or flash mode. One switch to turn on the running lights and one switch to turn on the brake lights. The white lights were added to indicate which system was turned on and give the needed resistance to make the LEDs flash. Click on pictures for a better view.

TBRich · 07-02-2008, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, I went a little bit overboard, but it was fun building my own light box. It has a red pilot light to indicate that I have a power source and ground. A three way switch to control whether the lights are off, on steady, or flash mode. One switch to turn on the running lights and one switch to turn on the brake lights. The white lights were added to indicate which system was turned on and give the needed resistance to make the LEDs flash. Click on pictures for a better view.

Purdy dang slick! (Not to mention cool.)