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Old 09-20-2013, 08:55 PM   #1
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Running lights

I am sitting here by the fire at the campground and there are 3 campers around me that have there running lights on while not being hooked up to there tow vehicle. My question is how do they do that?
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Old 09-20-2013, 09:13 PM   #2
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Depending on the trailer brand , it may be part of an internal , exterior illumination, scare light type of switch. Or someone just go the idea to power up the lights from their batteries, through the trailer plug , to make their unit stand out , and easier to find, by someone who spent too much time imbibing by the camp fire .
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Old 09-20-2013, 09:25 PM   #3
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It is very involved. Take any flat fuse place between 2 of the flat blades in the tow vehicle cord. the trailer lights will shine.
Chuck
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Old 09-20-2013, 09:31 PM   #4
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I believe it is pins 3 and 4 beside each other on the7 pin trailer connector, use a flat ( auto) fuse..
And don't let it short out on the trailer frame.
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Old 09-20-2013, 09:40 PM   #5
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How does the cord get power if it's not plugged into tow vehicle?
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Old 09-20-2013, 09:45 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wyldbill77 View Post
How does the cord get power if it's not plugged into tow vehicle?
It's powered up from the trailer battery , charge wire , that is a hot lead 12v direct from the trailer battery.

For more reading on RV 12 volt visit

http://marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm
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Old 09-20-2013, 10:00 PM   #7
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Ok and how do I know which pins are 3 and 4? If that is the correct pins to use.
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Old 09-21-2013, 04:23 AM   #8
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Quote:
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Ok and how do I know which pins are 3 and 4? If that is the correct pins to use.
It's the red 12v power and the park light leads that are connected together. Usually there is a 30 amp breaker on 12v battery line but to strong for the park lights wiring.

You can locate the connections by looking at a 7 wire plug diagram.
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Old 09-21-2013, 08:08 AM   #9
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Sorry I posted the wrong link. Should have been.

Trailer Wiring Diagrams | etrailer.com

3 & 4 are either side of, the index slot on the connector.
Look at the 7 way trailer connector " Outside " pin out diagram.
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Old 09-21-2013, 08:21 AM   #10
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I have this set up.

But I bought a unit from a company called Vampir.

The nice part with it is it has built in relays so it is just plug and play. And it has a photo cell. So when it gets dark it triggers on. You have a choice of two units one is a four hour the other is eight hour. I think I payed $50.00 Canadian for it.

People have come up and asks me about it and thought it was cool. I bought it just so when we take the dog for a walk late at night you can see where you are. I also swapped to all led lights on the outside so the inverter fan never kicks in. Even with inside lights on.

Also check out Eco-led they sell it on there web site.
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Old 09-21-2013, 08:36 AM   #11
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Do u think it would be ok to put a wire between pins 3&4 or should I use a fuse?
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Old 09-21-2013, 08:48 AM   #12
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Do u think it would be ok to put a wire between pins 3&4 or should I use a fuse?
Fuse it , 15 amp max, because the battery charge wire is a heavier gauge, than the lighting wire, and there is a big circuit breaker near the battery . A short in the light circuit, while hooked up this way; without a fuse; could melt down all the lighting wiring in the trailer, even start a fire.
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Old 09-21-2013, 09:07 AM   #13
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A fuse it is then, would hate to melt all the wiring or even worse, have a fire😧. Thanks for the heads up.
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Old 09-21-2013, 06:04 PM   #14
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Another option is to install a switch & flasher system that I found on another forum. In one position, the lights are on constantly. The other position inserts a flasher in the circuit. The flasher allows all the tail and marker lights to flash in the unlikely event that you might have to leave the trailer beside the road.

I mounted the whole works in a 7" X 7" waterproof plastic box from Lowes. The "Bargman" connector in the attached drawing is simply another 7 pin trailer plug like the one on the back of your truck. When camping, this is also a handy place to plug in the cord from the trailer to keep it off the ground.
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