Problems rewiring trailer

Anything electric, AC or DC

Postby NW_Subie » Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:48 am

Taxes are done, and I get a refund! :D

So... a charger like this.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=45005

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All I have is a jump starter, so I'd need to pick one up

I did look at the tail light wiring and both looked fine. I'll probably work on it this weekend.

I'm thinking about adding LED lights like these.
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It would look like the Little Guy Shadow. I'd add reflectors to the fenders.
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The current lights aren't very bright. Is there anything special about adding LED lights?
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Postby wlooper89 » Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:44 pm

That battery charger looks very nice, especially for the price.

My trailer has incandescent lamps except for my reading lights that are compact 12V fluorescent, and I am staying with this for now. I know the LEDs are brighter, use less power and last longer. Incandescent lamps are becoming a little bit retro. At home we are gradually changing to florescent bulbs where possible, now that ones that fit in lamps and other fixtures are available. For the trailer I think I will wait until it gets too difficult to find replacement incandescent bulbs. It is a matter of personal preference and what is already there.

Bill
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Postby NW_Subie » Sun Apr 19, 2009 12:25 am

Think I found the short. The right running light. Wiring looks good so I'll have to see if I can figure out what the problem is. Didn't have much time to spend on it today.
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Postby NW_Subie » Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:46 pm

Okay. Figured out one of the issues. Right running light had a short. Screw was pinching the wire. Ended up replacing the whole light. Works fine now.

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Still having problems with the rear lights. Light tester is fine but when I hook up either rear light the running lights dim and I can hear the power crackling. Rear wiring look fine, but I'll try replacing the wire housing. Not sure why the rear lights would cause the front running lights to dim.
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Postby dmckruit » Wed Apr 29, 2009 7:13 am

Does your wiring run through the trailer tongue? I had problems also, and found that a metal burr on the edges of my tongue had scraped off the wire insulation, and two wires were grounding out with the tongue steel.
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Postby NW_Subie » Thu Apr 30, 2009 11:33 pm

So I bought some LED lights at Harbor Freight. Hooked them up and they work great. I'm going to install them for better lighting. I don't know what is wrong with the original light housing. I tried new wires but it still shorts. I really want better visibility than so I'll use them as reflectors. May not be the classic Kit style, but the LED's will be visible.
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Postby NW_Subie » Sat May 02, 2009 11:31 pm

All done. Rewired the trailer with the new lights. Works great!

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