Can I splice my marker lights w/my turn signals to blink?

[Oasis Maker]

This post might confuse you coming on the heals of another post for my ill grounded and blinking marker light. That problem is solved - thanks again.

This is more a voluntary problem. I always travel with my bike racked on the back of the teardrop and it definitely obstructs my rear lights. I think it might be kinda cool (and safer) if my fender marker lights blinked with my turn signals. Easy DIY with just a splice?

Scott

[Oasis Maker]

Hmm. . . I'm doing some google searches and I don't even know if doing this is legal? Some say marker lights are suppose to remain constant. I do want them to be constant, but just blink with my blinkers when on. Seems like a good thing to me?

I don't see any DIY for trailers yet, just cars, but others are wanting to do the same thing.

Scott

[jss06]

During the day, I could see it working but at night I dont think you could make it happen.

The problem being with your running lights on, the markers are always on. You would have to build some sort or switch to turn off the maker light normal feed when the turn signal is engaged. Marker lights don't have 2 seperate filaments (Or LEDs) like SST taillights do.

[len19070]

I know that some Class "A" motorhomes use marker lights that blink with the turn signals positioned in the center/side of the coach but they don't light up as a marker light.

To do what you are thinking of would not be difficult but with many light alterations to do it ranges from easy to extreamly complex.

In my opinion the best and most estetically pleasing way to do it is to add another bulb in your existing running light and hook it (the second light) up as strictly a turn signal.

Easier yet is to add another running light that is JUST a turn signal.

There are other ways to do this with diodes but then theres a brightness separation problem with the bulb...when the running light is on you would never see the turnsignal blinking.

I have not mentioned adding a double element bulb & socket (which is really the proper way to do it) because I don't think you would be able to find one that would fit, or not melt a running light fixture.

Happy Trails

Len

[jss06]

I just thought of a way. You can use a normally closed automotive relay. Wire the activator to the turn signal wire.

The running light is then powered by the relay. Since it is normally closed it will light up the marker light.

When the flasher lights up the turn signal it will activate the realy and open the circuit for the marker light turning it off.

The flashing of the marker will be opposite of the turn signal. So when the bulb is on with the turn signal, the maker will be off.

Using a second relay wired in parallel you can do the same thing to allow the marker to work as a turn signal during the day when the running lights are off. In this case the light would blink intandem with the turn signal.

Then you need diods to ensure you do not back feed up the wrong circuit.

This would require 4 relays. 2 for each side of the trailer.
And 4 diodes. One for the output of each relay.

Given some time I could probably come up with a more elegant solution. This was just off the top of my head.

[Oasis Maker]

Listening to you and Len, I might be pushing my luck seeing that I just got my marker lights properly grounded and working correctly. Lol

Whatever the most simple solution is would be the best one for me, but I do feel I should do something. I've stood outside at night with the bike mounted and turn signal on and it's not good what other motorists are seeing . . . or not seeing.

As Len said, maybe just an additional dedicated blinker? Push comes to shove, I might get something portable and mount it to my bike rack. Cumbersome, but it might be the easiest thing. I don't have a rear 4 prong jack though and would have to wire that up.

Scott

[jss06]

The simplest solution would be to wire a dedicated turn lamp into your trailer. No need for anything special at that point.

[Oasis Maker]

The simplest solution would be to wire a dedicated turn lamp into your trailer. No need for anything special at that point.

With my fenders being occupied with necessary marker lights, where would you consider a good mounting point for good visuals? Now I may very well have to get something portable and mount it to my bike rack if I move away from a fender mount location, you think? Not a whole lot of area left.

Thoughts?

Scott

[madjack]

Scott, not sure of specific legality BUT, you would have feed back problems between the brake and marker lights...your best bet would be to get these R&P Carriages clicky ...they come in pairs and are surface mount lights...add them to the lower portion of your fenders and they should solve your visibility problems.............
madjack
p.s. these folks have a wide variety of lights and trailer parts and get madjacks A+++ rating for a vendor.....mj

[Oasis Maker]

I think this might be the shot MJ as well as the lower fender mounting location - I didn't think to go low.

This light is a stop, marker, and turn signal, so my fenders might have a slight Christmas tree affect with the dual marker lights already on there, but it'll get the job done. Thanks for the tip and the MJ approval rating system!

Scott

[DIY-Stu]

GM vehicles did this all the time in the 80's The side markers in the front would come on with the tail/marker lights and would also blink with the turn signal.

The way they did this is they used incandescent bulbs all around then wired one wire to the Turn lamp on that side and the other to the marker wire.
With lights off the side marker would flash WITH the turn signal since it pulled it's ground through the harder to light up marker light circuit.

When the lights were on it would get 12V from the marker wire then pull it's ground through the harder to light turn signal lamp.

When the lights were on and the turn signal applied it would pull it's 12V from the marker wire and when the turn signal lamp turned on it would turn off the side lamp due to having 12V on both sides.

IF YOU HAVE LED SIDE MARKERS

All you have to do is wire a Cheap and very small Bridge rectifier to the Positive and Negative wires of the LED lamps. Then Wire the Turn signal wire and the Tail lamp wire to the ~ and ~ pins this will result in the EXACT SAME RESULTS as above.

Now the DOWN SIDE TO DOING THIS ON A TRAILER.
Since the Turn Lamp is also the Brake Lamp you will end up with the Side marker lamps TURNING OFF When you are applying the brakes with the marker lamps on.

[48Rob]

Scott,

I've done so on several trailers.

Using a double bulb clearance/marker lamp either in the original form, or removing the guts and installing in an older style fixture.

The double bulbs are separated by cutting the metal strip that connects them.
Wire one to turn signal/brake, and the other to running lights.

The lights look stock and work well for added visibility.

Rob

[Oasis Maker]

GM vehicles did this all the time in the 80's The side markers in the front would come on with the tail/marker lights and would also blink with the turn signal.

The way they did this is they used incandescent bulbs all around then wired one wire to the Turn lamp on that side and the other to the marker wire.
With lights off the side marker would flash WITH the turn signal since it pulled it's ground through the harder to light up marker light circuit.

When the lights were on it would get 12V from the marker wire then pull it's ground through the harder to light turn signal lamp.

When the lights were on and the turn signal applied it would pull it's 12V from the marker wire and when the turn signal lamp turned on it would turn off the side lamp due to having 12V on both sides.

IF YOU HAVE LED SIDE MARKERS

All you have to do is wire a Cheap and very small Bridge rectifier to the Positive and Negative wires of the LED lamps. Then Wire the Turn signal wire and the Tail lamp wire to the ~ and ~ pins this will result in the EXACT SAME RESULTS as above.

Now the DOWN SIDE TO DOING THIS ON A TRAILER.
Since the Turn Lamp is also the Brake Lamp you will end up with the Side marker lamps TURNING OFF When you are applying the brakes with the marker lamps on.

Yeah, I should have said from the beginning that my Jeep side marker lights do exactly what I want my trailer markers to do. The Jeep side markers are constant when the lights are on, but when I click my blinker they blink on and off (alternating the blink with the front blinker). That's why I thought doing this with the trailer would be a simple DIY or at least do-able.

That one catch with the downside you mentioned is making me balk with this particular application though. I don't think I would like for the marker lights to go out every time I hit the brakes.

We're close to the preferred way I'd like to have it blink through my existing marker light though. At least you've seen it done on stock cars and know it can be done. Anyway to get me to that last step with no downside compromise?

Scott,

I've done so on several trailers.

Using a double bulb clearance/marker lamp either in the original form, or removing the guts and installing in an older style fixture.

The double bulbs are separated by cutting the metal strip that connects them.
Wire one to turn signal/brake, and the other to running lights.

The lights look stock and work well for added visibility.

Rob

Excellent. Your experience is very promising for my original vision. For reference, this is the new model marker light I just installed.



This might be a lot to ask, but are there any pics or website that show the steps you are describing? If not, at least I have a written blueprint and I'll ask questions as I go along.

Thanks,
Scott

[Oasis Maker]

Well I'm seeing double bulb clearance lamps for sale. Assuming standard mount and will snap right into my bracket. I'll order it, open up and split the wires when it get it. Thanks Rob, this might be it.

Scott

[Oasis Maker]

Hey Rob, I'm curious how defined is the actual blink with one bulb constant on right next to the other that's blinking? I'm sure it's enough of a recognizable blink if you have done several trailers like this.

Scott