|
06-20-2023, 03:36 AM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2023
Location: Milford
Posts: 109
|
How to get running lights on without Tow Vehicle?
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
__________________
2017 Keystone Hideout 178LHS
2005 Chevy Silverado 1500 WT
|
|
|
06-20-2023, 03:44 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 337
|
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.
__________________
Steve & Patti
2018 Grand Design Reflection 315 RLTS
2019 Chevy 2500 HD Diesel Z71
|
|
|
06-20-2023, 04:44 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Rolla, MO
Posts: 363
|
Quote:
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.
__________________
2022 Cougar Half Ton 24RDS
2019 GMC 2500HD (gas)
|
|
|
06-20-2023, 05:00 AM
|
#4
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,998
|
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 !!!!!
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
|
|
|
06-20-2023, 05:30 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,720
|
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.
__________________
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Duramax HD 6.6 - 3500 Diesel Dully Long bed Crew Cab
|
|
|
06-20-2023, 07:50 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2023
Location: Milford
Posts: 109
|
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
__________________
2017 Keystone Hideout 178LHS
2005 Chevy Silverado 1500 WT
|
|
|
06-20-2023, 08:45 AM
|
#7
|
Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Orange County
Posts: 58
|
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).
|
|
|
06-20-2023, 09:16 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: Middle of nowhere
Posts: 577
|
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.
__________________
2023 Passport SL 229RK
2023 Ram 2500 6.4L Hemi.
Nebraska
|
|
|
06-20-2023, 09:34 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2023
Location: Milford
Posts: 109
|
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.
__________________
2017 Keystone Hideout 178LHS
2005 Chevy Silverado 1500 WT
|
|
|
06-20-2023, 01:04 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: Elm Mott
Posts: 165
|
Quote:
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.
__________________
Alpine Custom Upgrade in Elm Mott, TX
2021 Alpine 3650RL W/electric central heat
and 35 other inventions/improvements to it
2012 Freightliner M2 112 2L Conversions
450HP Detroit DD13 1,650 torque,
Allison 4000 automatic, 4.30 gear
|
|
|
06-20-2023, 01:54 PM
|
#11
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,998
|
Quote:
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
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
|
|
|
06-20-2023, 02:00 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2023
Location: Milford
Posts: 109
|
Hey Alpine Custom,
You should send those people the link with the Flasher.
I mean Christmas light twinkle...Right? LOL
Kevin
__________________
2017 Keystone Hideout 178LHS
2005 Chevy Silverado 1500 WT
|
|
|
07-02-2023, 07:36 AM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 542
|
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.
__________________
2020 Cougar Half Ton 29RKS Fifth Wheel
2019 F350 4WD Lariat SRW 6.7 Diesel SD
Anderson Ultimate 5th Hitch - JT Strongarm TST509 TPMS- 2200W(8)Solar Panels - 800AH BattleBorn Batteries. 3000W Victron MultiPlus II Inv. SoftStartRV on 2 AC’s - Predator 3500 generator Airlift 5000 bags
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|