Side Marker Lights has one, two... three wires?

[Blue_Villain]

For starters, I'm planning using these for my rear side marker lights: http://www.amazon.com/AutoSmart-KL-35100RK-Sealed-Parking-Grommet/dp/B004HAEFS2

But does that show three wires poking out of the back? I know barely enough that one is hot, and if there's a second wire just ground it to the frame. But I have no clue what to do with the third wire here.

Also, has anybody used these? (It's not too late to return them.)

[TPMcGinty]

That doesn't look like a side marker light. It looks like a turn signal/parking/brake light which needs more wires.

[Dale M.]

Its a STOP/TURN signal and TAILLIGHT LED lamp (holder) setup... The three wires are (1) for stop/turn, (2) for marker/tail lamp, (3) a ground for lamps... These are not suitable for side marker lamps, the are stable for intended purpose (by manufacture type) on rear of trailer....

Dale

[H.A.]

Its a STOP/TURN signal and TAILLIGHT LED lamp (holder) setup... The three wires are (1) for stop/turn, (2) for marker/tail lamp, (3) a ground for lamps... These are not suitable for side marker lamps, the are stable for intended purpose (by manufacture type) on rear of trailer....

Dale

I disagree on the "not suitable" part.
There is no reason these lamps could not be used for side markers. Just dont connect its 'stop-turn' wire.
What on this lamp is the red wire.

Anyway, maybe Blue Villan does not realise just how big these lamps are ??
Approx 6" x 1.75"

They would work fine & be legal as side markers, Just kind of large and might look out of place.
Who knows, Maybe "Looking Odd" is what the builder has in mind ???

[Dale M.]

Its a STOP/TURN signal and TAILLIGHT LED lamp (holder) setup... The three wires are (1) for stop/turn, (2) for marker/tail lamp, (3) a ground for lamps... These are not suitable for side marker lamps, the are stable for intended purpose (by manufacture type) on rear of trailer....

Dale

I disagree on the "not suitable" part.
There is no reason these lamps could not be used for side markers. Just dont connect its 'stop-turn' wire.
What on this lamp is the red wire.

Anyway, maybe Blue Villan does not realise just how big these lamps are ??
Approx 6" x 1.75"

They would work fine & be legal as side markers, Just kind of large and might look out of place.
Who knows, Maybe "Looking Odd" is what the builder has in mind ???

You have a valid point but I was thinking along the lines of smaller 1.5 x 2.5 inch (approximate) traditional side marker lamp....

Dale

[eamarquardt]

Tail, stop, turn, and marker lights all have different SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) lens codings meaning that they have different lighting and reflective characteristics.

See: http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/standar ... rpstr.html

They are not legally interchangeable. In addition, the front marker lights are yellow/amber, not red.

One might consider using the proper light, at the right location, for the intended purpose. Not all lights sold in stores are SAE compliant. Lots of lights of questionable suitability/legality are being sold out there.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

[Blue_Villain]

Heh, I got a chuckle out of the "Looking Odd" portion of this. I guess I didn't really address the size of the thing though, it's going to be a 7'x11' standy, so the top of the vent fan will be just a hair over 7' off the ground. We're not talking a teardrop here. Personally I think they scale well with the size of the trailer, but if there's going to be anything looking odd about it, I'd prefer it to be the lights.

Anyway, the NC DOT guidelines for trailer lighting are listed here: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByArticle/Chapter_20/Article_3.html

Specifically:
§ 20‑129.1. Additional lighting equipment required on certain vehicles.
In addition to other equipment required by this Chapter, the following vehicles shall be equipped as follows:
6) On every trailer, semitrailer or pole trailer having a gross weight of less than 4,000 pounds:
On the rear, two reflectors, one on each side. If any trailer or semitrailer is so loaded or is of such dimensions as to obscure the stoplight on the towing vehicle, then such vehicle shall also be equipped with one stoplight.
(7) Front clearance lamps and those marker lamps and reflectors mounted on the front or on the side near the front of a vehicle shall display or reflect an amber color.
(8) Rear clearance lamps and those marker lamps and reflectors mounted on the rear or on the sides near the rear of a vehicle shall display or reflect a red color.
(9) Brake lights (and/or brake reflectors) on the rear of a motor vehicle shall have red lenses so that the light displayed is red. The light illuminating the license plate shall be white. All other lights shall be white, amber, yellow, clear or red.

I appreciate the link though, and the insight that they are engineered for different purposes and will probably have different coatings/reflection angles. But considering that the "Functional Purpose" of them is listed on the NHTSA website as "Front and rear side marker lamps / side reflex reflectors indicate vehicle's presence and length", then these accomplish that goal. Technically speaking, as far as the NC law is concerned they don't even need to light up, just be red and reflect light. So as long as I don't mess up and put the amber ones behind the red ones I think I'll be okay.

Thanks for all of the input.

[eamarquardt]

Yup, if you never leave NC you'll be fine as their law isn't very specific. But, if you do leave NC, you'll have to be in compliance with the laws of whatever state yer in.

Why wouldn't one install lights that meet the requirements for all states when building a travel trailer.

Cheers,

Gus

[Blue_Villain]

Why wouldn't one install lights that meet the requirements for all states when building a travel trailer.

Probably for the same reason why we have the "How to get a license plate from Maine, even though you probably don't live there" thread stickied. And to be fair, we're talking about using a lens that is designed to reflect MORE light in a place where it's not required to reflect as much light. If anything this would exceed the federal guidelines, regardless of the state laws.

[eamarquardt]

............................... If anything this would exceed the federal guidelines, regardless of the state laws.

Says who? Have you read and compared the DOT requirements.

Again, why wouldn't one just use the proper lenses/reflectors for the applications?

Cheers,

Gus

[CarlLaFong]

Seriously, has anyone ever, in the history of trailers, had their lenses inspected or had a cop perform some sort of lumen test on their lamps????? Put a set of decent stop/tailights on it and the correct color and placement of clearance lights. You will never, ever be hassled by the cops, the FBI, CIA, Interpol or the Republican Guard.
What a non issue

[eamarquardt]

Seriously, has anyone ever, in the history of trailers, had their lenses inspected or had a cop perform some sort of lumen test on their lamps????? Put a set of decent stop/tailights on it and the correct color and placement of clearance lights. You will never, ever be hassled by the cops, the FBI, CIA, Interpol or the Republican Guard.
What a non issue

Yer right, but if yer gonna go to all of the trouble to buy and install marker lights why not just do it right? It's not gonna cost any/much more to do it right. Kinda like using drywall screws rather than proper screws for the task.

I was advised by a DMV person to just drive my unlicensed trailer to the DMV rather than get the special one day permit to get it there. He said that the CHP would understand and lemme go on my merry way to get the trailer to the DMV and licensed.

Cheers,

Gus

[CarlLaFong]

Seriously, has anyone ever, in the history of trailers, had their lenses inspected or had a cop perform some sort of lumen test on their lamps????? Put a set of decent stop/tailights on it and the correct color and placement of clearance lights. You will never, ever be hassled by the cops, the FBI, CIA, Interpol or the Republican Guard.
What a non issue

Yer right, but if yer gonna go to all of the trouble to buy and install marker lights why not just do it right? It's not gonna cost any/much more to do it right. Kinda like using drywall screws rather than proper screws for the task.

I was advised by a DMV person to just drive my unlicensed trailer to the DMV rather than get the special one day permit to get it there. He said that the CHP would understand and lemme go on my merry way to get the trailer to the DMV and licensed.

Cheers,

Gus

True dat. There are a multitude of lights available for every use, taste and pocketbook. To choose some that are just wrong seems silly, but to each his own, I suppose.

[H.A.]

As far as CFR-2011-title49-vol6-sec571-108 ( Some states may have different minimums...Raving scofflaws here,,Who cares anyway)
Provided illumination MEETS the requirements of DOT (excepting some chauffeur type applications) there is no other requirement.
If someone wanted to fit lamps made of beerbottles or something and they MEET the illumination requirement such as lumens, surface area, color, etc. go for it...
Its only required the lamps be designed to conform to various (mostly SAE) standards. Nothing is said the lamp must be constructed in a specific material, certified by any agency,lab, etc.
The LED taillamp in question would be ok if used as a sidemarker. It easily meets the requirement of a sidemarker lamp.

[GuitarPhotog]

It meets the requirements for a rear side marker lamp. The forward ones have to be amber.

<Chas>