Self-contained flashing?

[BWSwede]

Has anybody figured out an easy way to have the trailer lights flash when the trailer is parked on the side of the road, but is not connected to the truck, by using the trailer brake battery? I might even be satisfied with just having the lights on and not flashing if flashing adds complexity to the solution.

Maybe just having a trailer plug tapped into the battery so it would be just a matter of unplugging it from the truck and into this plug.

Any thoughts?

TIA,
Blane

 

[orezok]

Go to RV.NET and ask there. It's common for some stupid reason that some people want their lights on when in a campground. I understand why you might want them on when on the side of the road, but in a campground?

 

[k0ua]

Has anybody figured out an easy way to have the trailer lights flash when the trailer is parked on the side of the road, but is not connected to the truck, by using the trailer brake battery? I might even be satisfied with just having the lights on and not flashing if flashing adds complexity to the solution.

Maybe just having a trailer plug tapped into the battery so it would be just a matter of unplugging it from the truck and into this plug.

Any thoughts?

TIA,
Blane

To solve this problem, I would start thinking about amp hour capacitys of the trailer battery, current draw of the lights. For instance, are they LED or incandescent? Then think about how long can we power these lamps and is it feasible? If so, then start thinking about the wiring diagram, ease of implementation, whether we need a simple thermal flasher or and electronic one. My first impression, is that this is feasable. How long do you want this to work?

 

[BWSwede]

Thanks for the replies guys. All my trailer lights are LED. To save me from having to open up that too tight of a box where the trailer battery is located, does anyone know what the amp/hour rating typically is? It is a run of the mill setup by Hopkins I believe.

Blane

 

[k0ua]

Thanks for the replies guys. All my trailer lights are LED. To save me from having to open up that too tight of a box where the trailer battery is located, does anyone know what the amp/hour rating typically is? It is a run of the mill setup by Hopkins I believe.

Blane

5 amp hours is what I see. So how much current does the LED's draw, and how long did you expect this to work?

 

[PILOON]

Most flasher units need resistance to operate and LED's have little or no resistance therefore adding a resistor will allow the flasher to work
Seem to recall something in the 10 ohm range did the trick.

On the back of my tractor cab I have a strip of LED's full width that really lights me up for snow blowing.
The usual flasher unit and resistor did the trick.

 

[BWSwede]

Maybe last two to three hours. If it won't last that long I don't think it is worth doing. I'll have to add up all the watts for all the LED's and see what the total comes to and from there figure out if it is worth it. I don't want to get into another battery just for this.

Thanks for the input.

Blane

 

[wolfpack2]

Might be a lot easier and cheaper to just buy a couple of these

Magnetic LED Safety Light (Red) | GEMPLER'S

 

[BWSwede]

Might be a lot easier and cheaper to just buy a couple of these

Magnetic LED Safety Light (Red) | GEMPLER'S

That's perfect. Easy, cheap, and can be used on more than just the trailer. We have a winner.

Thank you!
Blane

 

[Sprinklerman]

I made a jumper with a flasher for my travel trailer . 2 reasons , If I had a problem on the side of the road , and I had to leave the trailer I hook up the jumper and the lights flash using the big battery on the trailer . In the campsite , If someone was looking for my site in the dark , friend , ambulance , beer delivery , I hook up the jumper and I am easy to spot .