Turning on Running lights while camping

[TBRich]

It does sound like something is going on with the umbilical cord ... or at least the plug itself... crossing two of the wires is the only way your running lights could remain on when it's not plugged into the tow vehicle.... Two of the wires are connected, allowing a draw from the trailer's batteries to power the running lights.

[SteveSueMac]

So I've wired a 7-pin connector to receive my trailer's 7-pin umbilical. I bought a 7-pin "male" connector, a pre-wired 12g fused wire that could take up to a 30a fuse and a 10a fuse to insert in to the fuse holder. I wired the ends at the 11 and 1 o'clock positions on the 7-pin connector. So basically, I should be able to connect my trailer's umbilical to this connector box and my clearance lights will be on.

Reading this thread, it sounds like people have done this with everything from a paperclip to a 10a blade fuse to raw wire to very complex switchable boxes for on/off/flashers. My question is, when I connect this, what are the odds I get a shock or fry the wiring in the trailer? I guess if folks have stuck paperclips in their umbilical and lived to tell the story should bode well for a more precise fit with an online fuse, no?

Also - there was a suggestion to do this when connected to shore power to not drain the battery. So no problem running those 12v lights while on shore power at the same time?

Thanks!

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

So I've wired a 7-pin connector to receive my trailer's 7-pin umbilical. I bought a 7-pin "male" connector, a pre-wired 12g fused wire that could take up to a 30a fuse and a 10a fuse to insert in to the fuse holder. I wired the ends at the 11 and 1 o'clock positions on the 7-pin connector. So basically, I should be able to connect my trailer's umbilical to this connector box and my clearance lights will be on.

Reading this thread, it sounds like people have done this with everything from a paperclip to a 10a blade fuse to raw wire to very complex switchable boxes for on/off/flashers. My question is, when I connect this, what are the odds I get a shock or fry the wiring in the trailer? I guess if folks have stuck paperclips in their umbilical and lived to tell the story should bode well for a more precise fit with an online fuse, no?

Also - there was a suggestion to do this when connected to shore power to not drain the battery. So no problem running those 12v lights while on shore power at the same time?

Thanks!

No problem while on shore power. The converter will keep the batts up and the batts run the lights. BTW, I use a blade fuse..K.I.S.S.

[carmanahwoo]

Thank you for your input. It confirms what I thought.

I will take a look next week-end and try to figure it out.

Have a good day!
Ghislain

Originally Posted by TBRich

It does sound like something is going on with the umbilical cord ... or at least the plug itself... crossing two of the wires is the only way your running lights could remain on when it's not plugged into the tow vehicle.... Two of the wires are connected, allowing a draw from the trailer's batteries to power the running lights.

[enived2]

We bought this last year. It works great and was only $15.

Camperlite | eBay

[Airrogant]

Originally Posted by enived2

We bought this last year. It works great and was only $15.

Camperlite | eBay

Thank you so much for sharing this. I just bought one to replace my home-built unit. You can't beat the price - I spent at least double this to build my own jumper setup. You can't beat the size of the Camperlite either.

[m.hony]

I just stuck a short piece of wire in the battery charge and running light pins of the trailer plug- free- top 2 pins-
This is the method Dave Schuman, general manager of Airstream, recommended in a recent issue of Blue Beret-

[featherbedder]

A 10 amp or larger blade fuse does same thing as plastic coated fuse I pur. Bare wire is a no no for any reason. Safety first no matter what AS general mgr. said to do.....

[HowieE]

Not sure where the idea of turning on the parking lights came from but I must say as far as disrespect for your fellow campers goes it is one step short of dumping your sewage on the ground.

It might have a place on Time Square but not in the woods.

[drboyd]

I'm actually planning to build a plug-in remote running light controller. I've got a cheap car alarm setup and a "vehicle end" socket. I'll probably end up putting them together in a plastic peanut jar so that the trailer cord just plugs in. Then when you go off in the woods to powder your nose or something, you just push the remote button to momentarily turn on the lights so you can find your way back.

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by HowieE

Not sure where the idea of turning on the parking lights came from but I must say as far as disrespect for your fellow campers goes it is one step short of dumping your sewage on the ground.

It might have a place on Time Square but not in the woods.

It looks cool like rope lights or awning lights.
It is unplugged at bedtime- 9-10 PM-
I want blue rope lights to go around the bottom of the trailer.


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[m.hony]

Originally Posted by featherbedder

A 10 amp or larger blade fuse does same thing as plastic coated fuse I pur. Bare wire is a no no for any reason. Safety first no matter what AS general mgr. said to do.....

Safety?
What is unsafe?
The wire has insulation on it.
It is a 12 volt circuit- not much risk of electrocution-
I've seen a guy do it with a wire hot dog/marshmallow roasting stick-


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[HowieE]

[QUOTE=m.hony;1480244]Safety?
What is unsafe?
The wire has insulation on it.
It is a 12 volt circuit- not much risk of electrocution-
I've seen a guy do it with a wire hot dog/marshmallow roasting stick-
/QUOTE]

The rule of electrical safety is never have an unprotected circuit.
While it is unlikely, because of pin configuration, if you were to connect battery to ground that wire would melt in your hands before you could drop it. Someone may see you do this and make the wrong connection, but then I assume you have insurance.

[SteveSueMac]

Here are the components I used. 12g wire with fuse holder - can take up to 30a blade fuse - a 10a fuse and a 7-pin cap to connect to the trailer's umbilical. The fused wire is connected at the 11 and 1 o'clock positions. Haven't tried it yet but am assuming this will be pretty safe with the fuse inline.

[featherbedder]

Originally Posted by HowieE

Not sure where the idea of turning on the parking lights came from but I must say as far as disrespect for your fellow campers goes it is one step short of dumping your sewage on the ground.

It might have a place on Time Square but not in the woods.

Leaving scare light on is a lot more abrasive than running lights, I also turn them off at 10 pm or before as it depends how close other campers are. Common courtesy does wonders. But some people want to grouch about every thing.

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

Here are the components I used. 12g wire with fuse holder - can take up to 30a blade fuse - a 10a fuse and a 7-pin cap to connect to the trailer's umbilical. The fused wire is connected at the 11 and 1 o'clock positions. Haven't tried it yet but am assuming this will be pretty safe with the fuse inline.

I love quoting myself :-)

Just tried my contraption. Perfect! No sparks, no shock. Easy peasey!

[m.hony]

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[m.hony]

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[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by featherbedder

Leaving scare light on is a lot more abrasive than running lights, I also turn them off at 10 pm or before as it depends how close other campers are. Common courtesy does wonders. But some people want to grouch about every thing.

Not when you build a stainless steel "lampshade" for them.

[Totoro]

Originally Posted by SilverGate

See post #36 of the thread "Keeping your running lights on"

very cool