Lighting issues

[Leigh]

I am new to the forum, and also new to teardrop camping. I have just completed my camper using the Harbor Freight frame. I am having a problem with my lights, my left side turn signal and brake light are not working. Taillights on both sides are working and right side turn & brake work fine. I have replaced the bulb in the left light and didnt solve anything. I have also checked my ground wire and it seems good to me. i am using the flat 4 prong connector that came with the trailer. Any ideas where to look would next would be welcomed.

[bobhenry]

Take off the lense and place a stripped wire on the barrel of the light socket and touch a bare bolt. If it functions normal it is just a poor ground.

I had to add a wire to ground my driverside one. I bared the wire end and place a mini clamp around the socket and fished it out to find a good ground.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I had SOOOO many grounding problems with my HF frame, that I ended up running a ground wire down the length of the frame on each side, and grounding the lights that way.

[dh]

When I wire a trailer, I run a ground wire to EVERY light. With the HF style thet ground through the mounting studs, I crimp a ring terminal on the wire and put it on the grounding stud.

ALSO, have you checked the TV wiring?

does the TV have a 4 flat connector on it or are you using an adapter?

[wannabefree]

What they said. Run a dedicated ground wire to each fixture. The HF lights ground through the frame. Every bolt together connection on that frame is a potential failure point. Even lights that work now will, sooner or later, quit working as the frame oxidizes.

The HF lights have a metal tab that sits under one of the mounting holes. This is the ground. Take a wire and crimp on a ring terminal. Pull out the mounting screw, slip the ring terminal under the metal tab and run the screw through the works. then run the other end of that wire up to your 4-flat connector. Splice it into the white wire and your light should work. Might as well do all the lights now. It's easier to do at home than on the side of the road somewhere

[Leigh]

Thanks everybody.. I will check things this afternoon after work....DH - I am using the flat 4 prong plug on my truck also.
Leigh

[dh]

Got to thinking about this one. If the tail light function is working on that bulb, then you know that the bulb is grounded. While I would highly recomend a seperate ground wire as stated above, I doubt that you have a ground issue if the tail "half" the bulb is working. Did you put a meter or test light on both bulb contactors in the socket?

2nd, If I read corectly, you have the tear drop built. Did you check the lights on the trailer before you built the TD on top of it?

EDIT:

If all else fails, I would recomend taking the bulb from the right and left sides and try swapping them, see if the problem moves.

[bobhenry]

Grounding issues will drive you crazy. Lights will work and then not , things will blink that shouldn't.

The tail light doesn't require as much juice and the ground is working as the turn break element is illuminated the added voltage causes the ground to break momentarily. I know it's crazy but it will happen.

Every light on my tear is hard wire grounded back to a grounding block and from there to the negative side of the on board battery and the trailer frame. It is also hardwired to the front with 10 gage to the white on the 4 way flat. At the 4 way I spliced in a clip on ground wire that can be clipped directly to a good ground on the tow vehicle. Many times I have hooked up and the ground was poor for what ever reason until I clip on the auxilary ground clip.

DH did however bring up a good point is there a chance you could have ran a construction screw or nail thru the feed wire during construction.
Things DO happen !

You did say drivers side so if all is wired standard that should be the yellow feed wire check it for voltage up front and again near the light to be sure the juice is making the trip to the light.

[Leigh]

Thanks for the info Bob & DH, had to cut grass yesterday before the rain hits and didnt get a chance to work on the tearddrop. I will be on it this afternoon and will let you guys know what I find. Loads of knowledge here, thanks again for sharing.
Leigh

[bobhenry]

Thanks for the info Bob & DH, had to cut grass yesterday before the rain hits and didnt get a chance to work on the tearddrop. I will be on it this afternoon and will let you guys know what I find. Loads of knowledge here, thanks again for sharing.
Leigh

Well ?

Don't keep us in suspense

[Leigh]

Sorry Bob , I have made no progress. This week has been a little hectic. I do intend to try and solve my grounding problem this week. I am ready to drag it somewhere for a night or two. I did have someone tell me that because i painted my brackets that could also be a problem. ?? Anyway , maybe i will have chance to check some things tonight.

[dh]

Sorry Bob , I have made no progress. This week has been a little hectic. I do intend to try and solve my grounding problem this week. I am ready to drag it somewhere for a night or two. I did have someone tell me that because i painted my brackets that could also be a problem. ?? Anyway , maybe i will have chance to check some things tonight.

Fing the problem yet?

[ARKPAT]

Same here !

wannabefree
Teardrop Master


Joined: 11 Jul 2008
Posts: 269
Location: Phoenix

PostPosted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 10:32 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
What they said. Run a dedicated ground wire to each fixture. The HF lights ground through the frame. Every bolt together connection on that frame is a potential failure point. Even lights that work now will, sooner or later, quit working as the frame oxidizes.

The HF lights have a metal tab that sits under one of the mounting holes. This is the ground. Take a wire and crimp on a ring terminal. Pull out the mounting screw, slip the ring terminal under the metal tab and run the screw through the works. then run the other end of that wire up to your 4-flat connector. Splice it into the white wire and your light should work. Might as well do all the lights now. It's easier to do at home than on the side of the road somewhere Smile
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