Flasher or what?

[notanlines]

The RV blew a 10 amp fuse leading to this box. What might this 'flasher' thing be called, and why is there a flasher required for signals coming in already 'flashed?'

[chuckster57]

Do you have LED lights on the trailer?

[flybouy]

I think Chuck's thinking what I'm thinking. Sometimes with LED lights it's necessary to add a resistor to increase the Amp load on the circuit to "fool" the TV so it doesn't think a light is off. I replaced the tail and turn lights with LEDs and had to add resistor blocks to keep from getting a 'lamp out" fault.

[JRTJH]

Just for clarification, is that really a "flasher" or is it a converter box, the type used to get "red only tail/stop/turn signal lights" to work properly with a tow vehicle that has "red tail/stop lights and yellow turn signal lights" ????

It looks to me more like a "converter box" to allow multiple function tow vehicle lights to operate with single function trailer lights.....

[flybouy]

Wouldn't a "converter box" be mounted to the truck in order to get the 7 way plug to function?

[frankyb01]

I was thinking the same thing. Normally that would be the case.

[notanlines]

I will say that it actually has a clicking noise as the signals flash.

[LHaven]

Originally Posted by flybouy

Wouldn't a "converter box" be mounted to the truck in order to get the 7 way plug to function?

If you did that, you couldn't use the TV on another trailer.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by LHaven

If you did that, you couldn't use the TV on another trailer.

I don't understand, if the tow vehicle has the "converter" to make the 7 way plug conform to "standard" 7 way wiring then it could be used on any trailer with 7 way umbilical cord. If you wire the trailer to accommodate separate turn signal circuits then just the opposite would be true (the trailer would not be compatible with all TV's).

There are 7 way and 4 way wiring harnesses for vehicles that have the converters built in.

[LHaven]

Originally Posted by flybouy

I don't understand, if the tow vehicle has the "converter" to make the 7 way plug conform to "standard" 7 way wiring

Yes, for that type of converter... I was referring to an incandescent-to-LED converter. Ambiguous, sorry.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by LHaven

Yes, for that type of converter... I was referring to an incandescent-to-LED converter. Ambiguous, sorry.

If it's a "resistor" block it also would not affect another TV as the purpose is to "replicate" the resistance of an incandescent lamp. Many vehicles with a "lamp out" warning (some will flash the turn signal rapidly VS a separate indicator light or message) typically work by checking the resistance and "sees" a resistance above a certain threshold as an open circuit.

[LHaven]

I think this discussion is getting lost in the weeds. My point is that you didn't want to attach that type of resister block permanently to the TV or else it couldn't hook up to incandescent trailers anymore. The individual trailer is in fact the proper place for it.

[Customer1]

Looks to me like a relay/solenoid/contactor or whatever you wish to call it. Power is supplied by the heavier blue wire.

It allows the small gauge original wires to act as signal wires rather than having to carry the actual load. The clicking is the relay opening and closing as the signal makes and breaks.

[Bgtrk]

Looks like it might be a terminal diode board. It would help prevent back feed back into the tow vehicle.

[Old Mustanger]

Originally Posted by Customer1

Looks to me like a relay/solenoid/contactor or whatever you wish to call it. Power is supplied by the heavier blue wire.

It allows the small gauge original wires to act as signal wires rather than having to carry the actual load. The clicking is the relay opening and closing as the signal makes and breaks.

I go along with Customer 1, looks like a relay, which would also explain the clicking.

[GaryUT]

Originally Posted by notanlines

The RV blew a 10 amp fuse leading to this box. What might this 'flasher' thing be called, and why is there a flasher required for signals coming in already 'flashed?'

That looks like a converter box, the 3 wires on the side you photographed are labeled: Left turn output, right turn output, and brake light output.


It is taking the 2 combined turn and stop signals from the 7 pin and making the separate brake light output.



Does your trailer have a center brake light, or separate brake and turn signal bulbs?


Gary

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by GaryUT

That looks like a converter box, the 3 wires on the side you photographed are labeled: Left turn output, right turn output, and brake light output.


It is taking the 2 combined turn and stop signals from the 7 pin and making the separate brake light output.



Does your trailer have a center brake light, or separate brake and turn signal bulbs?


Gary

I think you're right Gary. After looking at it on a screen large enough to see the labeling. I found one video on line that showed the rear of the camper and it appears to have 3 separate lights on each side.

[notanlines]

This is getting curiouser and curiouser. Here is the only answer I received from the Mobile Suites website/forum: "It's not a flasher. It's a signal separator to allow for the proper operation of the trailer brake, turn signal and clearance lights."
There are three large lights on the rear on each side. The top and bottom are running/tail lights and the middle is brake/turn light.
If at some point I get a proper name for this part I will pass on the info. Thanks for everyone's interest.
I'm sort of cozying up to the answer from Customer Number One right now. But still need a part name. I may have to actually remove this thing from the RV and take photos of the back side.

[flybouy]

Google "tail light converter". You may not see that exact unit but you'll find many units that do the same thing.

[ChuckS]

The black box you are referring t9 is called a “stop/turn” separator switch and is commonly used on many DRV fifth wheels...

It’s main purpose is to Allow amber lights to blink without blinking the red lights and allows red lights to illuminate when brake pedal is pressed without turning the Amber lights on

DRV should still have this part... otherwise a universals replacement may work