Need help with trailer wiring

[don4331]

My justification for using the adapter goes: Don't give cops a reason to pull me over.

When I am pulling a trailer; there is a fair chance some else isn't legal (usually overweight). If trailer lights aren't working, cops have a reason to pull me over - 1st ticket...

Then they find I have in addition to current registration, an old copy, which is against law in Alberta, so I get a 2nd ticket and they pull the cab apart finding an open bottle of booze in jump seat (yeah, I cleaned cab out this past weekend; my niece has some 'splaining to do and won't be borrowing my 4x4 to go to ski hill again any time soon).

Thankfully, trailer lights were working and I resolved all the issues without an enforcement contact. And my niece and sister-in-law are avoiding me.

 

[enjr44]

OK, I scratched this out for you guys. Need some wire, 4 diodes that can handle 12 volts @ say 5 amps, and soldering iron. Some shrink wrap would be good!!!

 

[RonD]

In a diode power flows in the direction of the "arrow" and is block from flowing in the opposite direction.

While the drawing would allow voltage from the trailer lights to flow into the truck wiring(hopefully there is none ), it would block brake and turn signal power from going to the trailer lights.

And even if you reversed them it would be the same as just a straight splice, so if brake lights were on turn signal wouldn't be flashing since the 1 bulb has continuous power.

What you need to do is to block brake light power on one side of trailer but only when turn signal is on, no real way to do that with diodes.
Even a relay is a problem since turn signal power at the rear of the truck is on and off by its very nature., maybe a capacitor could hold relay closed between "ons" but then for $10, or even $25, the converter is looking alot better, lol.

 

[killj0y]

In a diode power flows in the direction of the "arrow" and is block from flowing in the opposite direction.

While the drawing would allow voltage from the trailer lights to flow into the truck wiring(hopefully there is none ), it would block brake and turn signal power from going to the trailer lights.

And even if you reversed them it would be the same as just a straight splice, so if brake lights were on turn signal wouldn't be flashing since the 1 bulb has continuous power.

What you need to do is to block brake light power on one side of trailer but only when turn signal is on, no real way to do that with diodes.
Even a relay is a problem since turn signal power at the rear of the truck is on and off by its very nature., maybe a capacitor could hold relay closed between "ons" but then for $10, or even $25, the converter is looking alot better, lol.

You are correct. Although I ordered one already, technically I have everything I need to build it with relays diodes, caps, etc. So I could build it pretty much for free I decided not to hassle over 10 bucks. I just hope it works well the reviews were iffy for most. I run all leds in the truck so I hope the load is low enough to power both with no issues. Some people complained about dim lights and such due to load on the circuit and loss due the conversion or whatever so I'll post back if anyone's interested.

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[enjr44]

OK........ Google is your friend!!!

Relays
https://www.google.com/search?q=tra...ei=lI6pVrDeOMepjgT9hZQg#imgrc=hobiY6AWxHsBiM:


Solid state
https://www.google.com/search?q=tra...ei=lI6pVrDeOMepjgT9hZQg#imgrc=OsPBiK9CX48KhM:

 

[killj0y]

I believe the old saying goes "Poor people can't afford to be cheap."

If the adapter works then it's worth whatever you paid for it and you don't have to deal with the frustration of the R&D on building your own or fixing it after it's been through the car wash and salty roads for a few years.

I am all for saving money on stuff but nothing irritates me more than when my trailer lights or brakes don't work and it seems to happen A LOT...the simpler those stupid things are, the better.

I hear you but I rarely wash it and no salty roads and until this last year we're lucky to get rain lol. South Texas ha. But yea here's hoping it holds up to the heat, it can be a bitch.

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