How to get running lights on without Tow Vehicle?

[KevinRC]

Hello All,



Been ill the last 4 days and feel much better today with some Meds from MD.


In my post about the E Brakes, I learned a lot about the junction box on the A Frame and that the Blue wire is for the E Brakes.



Sourdough said the colors of the other wires "The yellow, red, green and brown wires are the trailer’s lights I.e. clearance, stop, left and right turn.


I am going to install Backup camera and want to ensure I have it wired correctly before mounting it and putting back on the middle running light, which is where I am going to take power from.



With that said, I need to energize the running lights.



My question is, can I jump from battery to the CORRECT wire and have the trailer lights come on ?


Since it is only 12V, I am not so really worried about shock/fire, just would like an opinion or two before I just go out and try it.



Any and all input would be greatly appreciate.



Thank you,
Kevin

[Texas Steve]

I believe if you jump from pin 4 to pin 3 on the 7 pin wire, you will turn on your running lights. Your battery must be fully charged to do this.

[RollaMo]

Originally Posted by Texas Steve

I believe if you jump from pin 4 to pin 3 on the 7 pin wire, you will turn on your running lights. Your battery must be fully charged to do this.

Yep, that will work.
Very easy to just use a standard automotive fuse and plug it in.

[JRTJH]

I would use a fuse (either 5 amp or 10 amp) rather than a piece of wire or a paper clip to jumper the 7 pin connector!!!!!

Why? You're going to be using a multimeter to find power, the potential to short out a "live 12 volt wire" that is not fused for protection (a paper clip in those pins) can easily burn the trailer wiring "anywhere from that paperclip to the place you are poking around under that rear center running light"....

If you thought you had problems understanding and confirming the braking system wiring, try to find a burnt wire that's shorted out in the ceiling of your trailer to get the running lights working again !!!!!

Use a fuse rather than a short piece of wire !!!!!

[dutchmensport]

RollaMo has the right answer in that photo. I've done this myself in the past.

But, one of the rules of camping etiquette is to turn outside lights off at night when one goes inside the final time. Perhaps finding a different way to activate the back up / observation camera for night time use would be a more camper friendly alternative.

[KevinRC]

Thank you all!!!!!


I would have NEVER thought of jumping it from the 7 wire connector, I was looking at doing it at the junction box and while that "might" be possible, this was indeed much easier and it WORKED!


All the best to you and yours,

Kevin

[DAMILLER_SR]

I (Meaning me!!) would confirm the Ground wire first. Then tap all the hot wire with a 12v around until your lights activate, (could be your truck or most vehicles).

[Max23]

My question to this (trying hard to not be a smart butt) is "why" would you want to?? Broke down beside the road and had to unhitch and leave it there is about the only thing that comes to mind I guess. Just a question.

[KevinRC]

Oh I see that I failed to mention.



TV is NOT here and I want to install backup camera that will need the running lights on to confirm proper install BEFORE I mount the camera to the rear of the trailer.



My bad.

[Alpine Custom Upgrade]

Originally Posted by dutchmensport

RollaMo has the right answer in that photo. I've done this myself in the past.

But, one of the rules of camping etiquette is to turn outside lights off at night when one goes inside the final time. Perhaps finding a different way to activate the back up / observation camera for night time use would be a more camper friendly alternative.

Agreed. We were at a campground recently and saw a camper across the circle from us had their clearance lights on 24/7 for days in a row. I guess it was their form of leaving the Christmas lights up all year.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Max23

My question to this (trying hard to not be a smart butt) is "why" would you want to?? Broke down beside the road and had to unhitch and leave it there is about the only thing that comes to mind I guess. Just a question.

Why ??? If you have an emergency in a campground and dial 911, rather than the ambulance driver trying to find you "frantically waving your arms", you can just tell the 911 operator to look for the trailer with the running lights on, or better yet, with the running lights flashing.

Same if you order a pizza and want to help the delivery guy "find where you're hiding"....

And, rather than use a fuse to jumper the pins at the 7 way connector, just insert an "old timey flasher" (the mechanical type used in cars/trucks in the 80's and 90's) and you can have "flashing running lights" to make finding you (or if broke down on the highway, avoiding you) that much easier....

Here's the type of flasher you need, just plug it in where the fuse was used (same pins)
https://www.amazon.com/CEC-Industrie...d_i=B001DKJTVW

[KevinRC]

Hey Alpine Custom,



You should send those people the link with the Flasher.



I mean Christmas light twinkle...Right? LOL


Kevin

[rlh1957]

4 & 3 with an auto fuse is the quick way.
Just remember to turn them off before going to bed… bright or extra lights or party lights are annoying light pollution to others all night.