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Old 12-23-2009, 01:59 PM   #1
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Turning on Running lights while camping

So at the Blanco Rally a few of the Trailers had plug adapters that turned on all of the running and brake lights while we were camping. Made a nice addition and looked cool. I was told that all that's needed is a connector (TV side with the pins connected (soldered etc.). So can those of you in the know tell me which connector to buy and what pins to wire together, a general "how to" build or buy. Thanks
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Old 12-23-2009, 02:04 PM   #2
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Send a PM to Toddster. He made one that came to me with my Safari.

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Old 12-23-2009, 02:07 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by RichHog View Post
So at the Blanco Rally a few of the Trailers had plug adapters that turned on all of the running and brake lights while we were camping. Made a nice addition and looked cool. I was told that all that's needed is a connector (TV side with the pins connected (soldered etc.). So can those of you in the know tell me which connector to buy and what pins to wire together, a general "how to" build or buy. Thanks
Easy to do. You can make your own, by using a jumper wire between the charge line and the clearance light circuit terminals.

If you take the cover off the connector, those two wires would be the large blue wire, and the green wire.

Andy
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Old 12-23-2009, 02:08 PM   #4
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hiya 'hog

while it does depend on HOW the pigtail is wired (modern 7 pin vs something else...)

there are 2 eze ways 2 do this...

a flasher relay or a fusible link.

many threads and pictures of the gizmos have been posted.

start here and follow the LINKS inside.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f447...cle-35786.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f447...-on-35681.html

see the 'automotive flashers' listed mid page here...

http://www.wiringproducts.com/contents/en-us/d35.html

and more on this...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f447...ing-41775.html

cheers
2air'
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Old 12-23-2009, 02:16 PM   #5
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Just connecting the terminals at position 1 and 11 o clock on your umbilical cord will do it.

As noted above a 2 prong car flasher will fit directly into these terminals and cause the trailer lights to blink, not the brake lights. If you solider 2 male spade connectors to a short piece of wire and insert that into these terminals the trailer light, not the brake lights will stay on.

Please note if your trailer has filament bulbs make sure you use at least a #12 wire because of the current, if you make your own.
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Old 12-23-2009, 02:28 PM   #6
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use an automotive in-line fuse holder....otherwise, there won't be any fuse protection on the circuit.
(under "normal" circumstances, the lights are fuse-protected by the tow vehicles fuses.).

I just crimped on a spade connector to each lead on the fuse holder, and stick one in @ 11, the other @1.
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Old 12-23-2009, 03:17 PM   #7
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PLEASE DON'T---- The person parked behind me had his on all night and made it difficult to sleep. I had to hang towels over the windows to help reduce the flashing.
Rember your fellow campers; "and do unto others"
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Old 12-23-2009, 03:37 PM   #8
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PLEASE DON'T---- The person parked behind me had his on all night and made it difficult to sleep. I had to hang towels over the windows to help reduce the flashing.
Rember your fellow campers; "and do unto others"
Why didn't you ask him to close his window curtains.. oh wait, you were talking about flashing lights.
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Old 12-23-2009, 03:38 PM   #9
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PLEASE DON'T---- The person parked behind me had his on all night and made it difficult to sleep. I had to hang towels over the windows to help reduce the flashing.
Rember your fellow campers; "and do unto others"

Now if you had one of these you could have had light wars all night, and done to others as they be doin' to you.
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Old 12-23-2009, 03:44 PM   #10
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LIghts at night

If you must turn on the lights PLEASE be considernate and turn them off by 8 or 9 PM. We have added room darking curtains and still fellow RV's insist on lights everywhere. How will you see the stars? Or sleep? We don't have any outside lights where we live and just the glow from the nearest town 13 miles away is distracting when you walk outside at night.
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Old 12-23-2009, 04:12 PM   #11
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One additional benefit from the flashing light setup is if you have to leave your trailer on the side of the road while the TV is disconnected. For instance, if the TV is not operating and the tow company can only tow the TV then the flashers will work off the trailer battery until you can return. Another example is if there is a need for emergency help in a campground and you call for assistance - your trailer can be the one with the flashing lights to identify yourself easily to the first responders.

I setup one that uses a 7-pin connector for a TV (female connector) on a 4" PVC endcap and all the electronics in a 6 inch piece of PVC pipe with another cap on the end. Works good and allows you to just "plug in" when you set up at the camp site - it has an on/off switch. Another benifit of using a female plug in is you protect your RV plug from damage.

PM if you want pictures. BTW - I set it up with a three way switch (On, Off, Flash) I got great advice from many people here on how to do all this - I can provide my wire diagram if you want.

Mike
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Old 12-23-2009, 04:26 PM   #12
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Cool slightly off-topic

Quote:
Originally Posted by stillcove View Post
If you must turn on the lights PLEASE be considernate and turn them off by 8 or 9 PM. We have added room darking curtains and still fellow RV's insist on lights everywhere. How will you see the stars? Or sleep? We don't have any outside lights where we live and just the glow from the nearest town 13 miles away is distracting when you walk outside at night.

I made black-out shades for my Safari, for using it at Burningman where
everything is 24/7. After one outing I decided to forego curtains altogether.
There will always be some inconsiderate people out there, and this really helps with both light and noise, and I don't have to rely on the good character of my neighbors to get a good nights sleep
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Old 12-23-2009, 04:56 PM   #13
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For those who don't feel up to building your own:

Plug-n-Light 5th Wheel Accessories

Have nothing to do with this outfit and have never used this product. Do know it was in Trailer Life. Unfortunately this unit just allows for steady light - it does not have the flasher option.
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Old 12-24-2009, 09:30 PM   #14
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Here's another product... we have one. It's great and allows us to have the running lights and tail lights on (constant)... or to have the running lights on (constant) with flashing tail lights... http://www.westhaverassociates.com/flashcube/
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Old 12-24-2009, 09:41 PM   #15
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See post #36 of the thread "Keeping your running lights on"
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Old 12-24-2009, 09:53 PM   #16
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That's exactly how i have been doing it for years. The 10 amp fuse stays in place and provides a fused connection. Since I have replaced all of Lucy's clearance lights with LED bulbs, it doesn't matter if I leave them on all night as there is no heat build up.

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Old 12-24-2009, 10:56 PM   #17
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check this thread:http://www.airforums.com/forums/f447...-on-35681.html
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Old 12-25-2009, 10:03 AM   #18
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If anyone was thinking about ordering a FlashCube forget it - the company is dead. Just tried to place order myself. You have to go to the Home Page to find that they are out of business. Bummer.
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Old 12-25-2009, 10:30 AM   #19
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I have a flasher for each trailer which I can plug into the pigtail. Sure, they can be fun when parked. But, I carry them to be used like an emergency flasher. I don't make a habit of towing at night, but, if I am, and have trouble and have to leave the trailer along side of the road to go for help or something else, I can leave the running lights on the trailer flashing while I am gone.

I have never had to do that, but if I have to sometime, I will feel much better about leaving the trailer in the dark.

Merry Christmas
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Old 07-02-2014, 05:58 PM   #20
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Running lights always on... But I don't want them to be.

Lets see if I can rekindle this thread...

I came back from a short outing last week-end and when I parked my 1975 Land Yacht 25 ft DB, I unplugged it from the truck and the running lights stayed on.

Before said trip, when I unplugged de AS, the lights went off. The only way to turn them on was to plug the trailer to the truck and then turn the truck lights on.

I want it to go back the old way.

I figured out that the problem is with the umbilical cord. When I unplug it from the trailer, the lights shut off. I am therefore assuming that I need to check for a short between two wires in the cord. Or buy a new one. This one is in OK shape but could be better (as this problem of mine seem to indicate).

Any other insights?

Thank you!
Ghislain
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