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NowGo · 09-09-2022, 08:26 PM

I have performed a variation of the side signal mod that was initially discussed By Gasman 2 in thread “mid-coach-turn-signals-265838”

I used Peterbilt style chrome bezel LED marker lights that fit the holes used by Entegra for the original marker lights. The lights I used are not marker / signal lights with three wires but are just marker lights with two wires. I located the wires as GasMan 2 described, used the same connectors for a good seal.

I hooked the lights up to the marker / signal wire and the ground wire. The lights work as signals only when the markers are turned on. They go off when the front and rear signals go on, so they are out of sync, but I thought that might even draw more attention when changing lanes.

However, when I turn my markers on now the top monitor (main Xcite head unit) takes possession of the monitor and displays the rear camera. The only way to prevent this is to turn off “Rear View” in the Xcite settings. The problem with that is it also turns off the side signal light cameras.

I believe my wiring of the side monitors is somehow back feeding into the camera controller, activating the rear camera.

It would appear I have to re-do my mod, using 3 wire marker / signal lights.

Does anyone happen to know if there is a Peterbilt style LED chrome bezel light that is 3 wire, and is therefore designed to be a marker and a signal ?? This would be a direct replacement for the 2 wire markers I installed. I have been searching but can't seem to locate one.

brobox · 09-09-2022, 09:02 PM

I did the mod you are referring to. All one needs to do is connect the new 2 wire marker lights to the factory front turn signals. I did a photo post back in 14 that should be in the search function.

Using the Spartan plugs a 3 wire light is required. I did that one too on the 19. Also a photo post on that and the lights needed, but they do not fit the factor holes.

Gasman 2 · 09-10-2022, 06:22 AM

NowGo,

It’s sounds like you are replacing the original side marker lights with better lights.
We had a 2013 Aspire and a 2016 Anthem
The Aspire just had marker lights with no turn function. That’s when I did the mod.
Rather than replacing the light I added a small led that had both turn signal function and marker, I left the original light as a marker. The new led only required drilling 3/4 inch hole and simply pushing it in.
I think I added some sealer around it since it was in the wheel well area.
I usually got my lights from a friend who works as an outside sales person for a Peterbilt dealer.
As for the Anthem the side markers function both as a turn signal and marker.
I did add another side marker/ turn signal further forward in one of the compartment doors, again the small 3/4 led light. Those small lights really show up, even in the day.

The must difficult about this mod is making the connection inside the wheel well.
As Chuck said he got his power from the front, maybe that’s a better option.

As for the feed back issue I have no ideal what’s going on there.

Good luck, I still miss the coach. I enjoyed working on it as much as driving and using it.
Richard

NowGo · 09-10-2022, 07:53 AM

Chuck & Richard,

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

I had also tied in the front mirror lights to the marker / signal wires, the same as the side markers. I am not positive the camera Xcite/camera issue is due to the mod, I guess I will need to open the dash yet again to check for voltage at the camera controller when I turn the markers on (getting pretty good at opening it now but it is not really built to be opened repeatedly).

That would confirm it is getting power, and I could test it with the markers on and also with the markers off and a signal light on. It should not be getting power from just the markers, and I don't really understand why tying into Spartan's marker signal and ground wires would mess things up. That is a guess on my part and may be a stretch, and maybe the controller itself just decided to quit.

I have located and tyed in the Spartan wiring with the proper connectors, adding lengths of wire to reach the lights. At this stage I am leaning towards utilizing that wiring as opposed to running wire from the front of the coach. I just need to find some lights that are both signal and marker

Craig

Gasman 2 · 09-10-2022, 11:04 AM

Craig,

I believe after re reading how your lights are functioning you may have the wiring connected to marker and turn signal wiring of the coach, should be ground and turn signal wiring of the coach. That’s the reason they are flashing out of sequence.
With the markers lights off your added light is getting it’s ground through the marker light circuit. With the marker light on it loses it’s ground so they go off.

Richard

WDW · 09-10-2022, 12:42 PM

I tried to get a straight answer out of SPARTAN about how to do this but that was a disappointing conversation.

I don’t understand why in coaches the size that is not a standard feature cost practically nothing, looks nice and adds a whole bunch of safety protocols.

We did this on our 2016 Mirada But I’m just a little hesitant to mess with the SPARTAN wiring. I wish I could find a competent shop that would take on this assignment.

Trainmaster · 09-10-2022, 03:07 PM

I did the following to allow my 2-wire marker lights to become 3-wire marker lights.

Gasman 2 · 09-10-2022, 03:37 PM

WDW,
Is your Embark build in the Spartan K1 chassis? Apparently from what you are saying it does not have mid ship turn signals.
I guessing the wiring is there for turn signals but Entegra did not install the marker lights / turn signals combination for both.
That’s the way the classics were but that changed in 2016 when Entegra went to the new end caps.
Then there was a big fuss over lack reflectors and went back to the previous way with just marker lights which made a lot folks unhappy.
I don’t know how this currently stands.

Is your side marker lights at the fender well? If so look inside the well and follow the wiring to the first electric plug and see if it changes from two wires to three wires.
If there is a third wire it is the turn signal.

That’s were the Spartan wiring meets the coach wiring.

You can verify this with a test light.

Hope this helps.

Richard

Gasman 2 · 09-10-2022, 05:12 PM

Trainmaster,

Didn’t your 2016 Anthem already have side marker / turn signal lights?

Our 2016 Anthem did, build date was Dec 2015.

Richard

NowGo · 09-10-2022, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gasman 2

Craig,

I believe after re reading how your lights are functioning you may have the wiring connected to marker and turn signal wiring of the coach, should be ground and turn signal wiring of the coach. That’s the reason they are flashing out of sequence.
With the markers lights off your added light is getting it’s ground through the marker light circuit. With the marker light on it loses it’s ground so they go off.

Richard

Richard,

You may be onto something.

When my markers are off the new LED lights I installed (one on front side below the side camera and one mid coach) do not function as signals, they do nothing. In order to have them function as markers and signals I must have the markers on. Then they function as markers when the markers are on, and flash on and off when the signals are used, although 180 degrees out of sequence with the front / rear signals.

I settled for the idea that I would always travel with my markers on (used to do that as a trucker way back in another lifetime).

Then the whole Xcite head unit camera issue came into play and has me re-thinking the whole thing.

Craig

Trainmaster · 09-10-2022, 05:46 PM

Yes they did, the old style that was not reflected and they changed them out at the mothership. At the time the replacements did not have the ability to act as turn signals, just marker lights only.

DoggieDaddy · 09-10-2022, 07:10 PM

Be aware that some of the "Peterbuilt marker lights" bought online will fade in the sun. I replaced ours just a few years ago and they are already faded.

WDW · 09-10-2022, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gasman 2

WDW,
Is your Embark build in the Spartan K1 chassis? Apparently from what you are saying it does not have mid ship turn signals.
I guessing the wiring is there for turn signals but Entegra did not install the marker lights / turn signals combination for both.
That’s the way the classics were but that changed in 2016 when Entegra went to the new end caps.
Then there was a big fuss over lack reflectors and went back to the previous way with just marker lights which made a lot folks unhappy.
I don’t know how this currently stands.

Is your side marker lights at the fender well? If so look inside the well and follow the wiring to the first electric plug and see if it changes from two wires to three wires.
If there is a third wire it is the turn signal.

That’s were the Spartan wiring meets the coach wiring.

You can verify this with a test light.

Hope this helps.

Richard

Huge - I’ll take a look tomorrow.

Gasman 2 · 09-11-2022, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trainmaster

Yes they did, the old style that was not reflected and they changed them out at the mothership. At the time the replacements did not have the ability to act as turn signals, just marker lights only.

Okay that makes sense, how did you protect your mod? I assume it’s in the wheel well area where there is a lot of spray from the wheels .
That’s the first post that I have saw with this mod.

That mod would have been handy when Entegra was removing the lights that functioned as turn signals

Where did you source the parts, must of these hoppy store like Radio Shack are gone now.
Richard