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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / RVs / March 2007dim tail lights, pt 2
We're still having problems trying to fix the dim tail lights. So before I take it to a nearby repair facility where their rates are $115 hr. I need to know, are trailer/RV bulbs different than those used in regular cars? Thanks again Eddie > We're still having problems trying to fix the dim tail lights. So > before I take it to a nearby repair facility where their rates are $115 > hr. I need to know, are trailer/RV bulbs different than those used in > regular cars? > Thanks again > Eddie They should be the same, brake/tail should be a 1157 dual filament. It could be a 2057 whic is a higher amperage. I can't remember right off hand what a standard single element bulb is, but they are normal automotive types.  SignatureFrank Tabor You will be married within a year. I see where Eddie <hawaii-50@sbcglobal.net> contributed: >We're still having problems trying to fix the dim tail lights. So >before I take it to a nearby repair facility where their rates are >$115 hr. I need to know, are trailer/RV bulbs different than those >used in regular cars? They're no different, but at the risk of making you mad, have you followed the good advice already given here? Will Sill The Curmudgeon of Sill Hill >They're no different, but at the risk of making you mad, have you >followed the good advice already given here? I agree with ither two, they are the same but if they are dim it is likely because of circuit length vs feed wire size. Generally they are not to generous with wire sizes from facotry sometimes on TV and trailer. Also check ground wire sive on circuit because all the return load has to come back through it. You want at least a 12 ga wire for it and 10 or even 8 would be better. You want maybe a 10 or 8 in TV and a 12 or better in trailer for return for best performance if circuit is long and or you have a lot of running lights too. The feed for each light circut should be at least 14 in TV and 16 or better in trailer too. Figure on at least 2 wire sizes larger for return than feed wires. ----------------- TheSnoMan.com >>They're no different, but at the risk of making you mad, have you >>followed the good advice already given here? [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >----------------- >TheSnoMan.com One more thing, below is a chart I made up for extension cord feeds for AC power but voltage drops are the same so it will give you a idea of haow much voltage is dropping in lighting circuit based on its total length. FIgure on about 3 amps for brake lights per bulb and about 1 amp each for taillight fiiements. Marker or running lights about .5 amps or less each. http://forum.snoman.com/viewtopic.php?t=254 ----------------- TheSnoMan.com >I see where Eddie <hawaii-50@sbcglobal.net> contributed: >>We're still having problems trying to fix the dim tail lights. So [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >Will Sill >The Curmudgeon of Sill Hill Yeas I have Mr. Sill, and I'm embarrassed to report that the problem was with the connector from the trailer. Some wires had come loose and after replacing and making sure that all the other wires were tight it looks like I'm back to normal, *but* I'm not satisfied with the brightness. When it became dark I tried the lights and they seem to be bright enough for night-time driving but for day-time driving (I always drive with lights on in daylight) the brightness or lack of bothers me. The stop light function is bright, the turn signals and 4-way flashers are not. I can live with this. Thank you all again. Eddie I see where Eddie <hawaii-50@sbcglobal.net> contributed: Will: >>They're no different, but at the risk of making you mad, have you >>followed the good advice already given here? E: >Yeas I have Mr. Sill, and I'm embarrassed to report that the problem >was with the connector from the trailer. Some wires had come loose >and after replacing and making sure that all the other wires were >tight it looks like I'm back to normal, Normal is good. > . . . . *but* I'm not satisfied with the brightness. Then dig down deep and replace the lamps with LED type. They draw less juice, so do not cause as much voltage drop and will therefore be brighter in a marginal system. Your other choice: lower your expectations. Will "A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow Man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money." G. Gordon Liddy >> . . . . *but* I'm not satisfied with the brightness. > >Then dig down deep and replace the lamps with LED type. They draw >less juice, so do not cause as much voltage drop and will therefore be >brighter in a marginal system. Plus when you put in LEDs they look super cool. SignatureR.J.(Bob) Evans (return address needs alteration to work) >>> . . . . *but* I'm not satisfied with the brightness. >> [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Plus when you put in LEDs they look super cool. Only problem is that in some cases they may be dimmer... I know, common knowledge says they use less juice, however on my TT I replaced the taillights with led type bulbs and they were dimmer! Ran a seperate wire from the connecter (had a spool of 14 guage in my junk box, bypassed the internal wiring) and they were full brightness again... seems to me there must be something in the TT wiring that limited the current, but I have no idea what it was, or why it worked brighter if I ran a seperate wire... (still does it, I just ran the wire direct now, bypassing the TT wiring) >I see where Eddie <hawaii-50@sbcglobal.net> contributed: > [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] >less juice, so do not cause as much voltage drop and will therefore be >brighter in a marginal system. Mr. Sill, It would be difficult to convert to LED. I thought of that long time ago, not only for the trailer but for other vehicles. The design of the taillights on my Holiday Rambler makes it almost impossible to convert. It would have to be a complete re-design with body work to be performed. I also went to look at LED 1157's bulbs which are available. Trouble is they only come in red or blue not white. I did buy two blue high intensity bulbs (blue glass, but white light). I installed them and they seemed to be dimmer, so I took 'em out and replaced them with conventional 1157's. I may not have mentioned this, but the red lens covers on the taillights seem to be extra thick and very dark red. I have a feeling this design contributes to dimmer visible light being emitted. I doubt if HR makes a replacement lens that is thinner and not so dark. But I will check if maybe after-market covers are available. And not so dark! Again, thanks to all Eddie >Your other choice: lower your expectations. > >Will >"A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his >fellow Man, which debt he proposes to pay off with >your money." G. Gordon Liddy there are hundreds of 1157 LED options in white. You may also want to try a 198 bulb. They are slightly higher wattage, but that may exaggerate your underwired situation. http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=led+1157+white SignatureSteve Barker YOU should be the one controlling YOUR car. Check out: www.lightsout.org I also went to look at LED 1157's bulbs > which are available. Trouble is they only come in red or blue not > white. I did buy two blue high intensity bulbs (blue glass, but white > light). I installed them and they seemed to be dimmer, so I took 'em > out and replaced them with conventional 1157's. >there are hundreds of 1157 LED options in white. You may also want to try a >198 bulb. They are slightly higher wattage, but that may exaggerate your >underwired situation. > >http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=led+1157+white Well Steve, they may be available on Ebay but not at any retail stores here in the SF Bay area and I've checked 'em all, Auto Zone, Pep Boys, Kragen, Target, Orchard Supply, Home Depot, etc. Maybe they're illegal here in California, like most everything else. If I could find them in a local retail store my problem would have been solved long time ago. Looks like ordering from Ebay sources may be the only way to get those white 1157's. Thanks for the info, Eddie I always look on ebay first. I guess that's why I don't have problems finding things. If I don't have to leave this chair, all the better. SignatureSteve Barker YOU should be the one controlling YOUR car. Check out: www.lightsout.org >>there are hundreds of 1157 LED options in white. You may also want to try >>a [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Thanks for the info, > Eddie >there are hundreds of 1157 LED options in white. You may also want to try a >198 bulb. They are slightly higher wattage, but that may exaggerate your >underwired situation. > >http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=led+1157+white Steve, I came upon this on another web site: "Though they are spendy, the best bulb you can use in place of 1157 is called P3496. It draws the same amount of current as 1157, but is much more efficient. It produces 43 candlepower on the bright (brake or turn) filament, and 3.5 candlepower on the dim (tail or parking) filament. It also has a nickel-plated base that is much more corrosion resistant than the plain brass base of an 1157. On the 1157, the dim filament produces 3 candlepower. The 1157 produces 32 candlepower from the bright (brake or turn) filament." I think I'll go with the P3496 and not worry if it's illegal or not. Eddie That's one I haven't heard of. I always used the 198 cause it was more durable for trailer use. But they are about 6 times the money a 1157 is. SignatureSteve Barker YOU should be the one controlling YOUR car. Check out: www.lightsout.org >>there are hundreds of 1157 LED options in white. You may also want to try >>a [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > Eddie > Steve, I came upon this on another web site: > "Though they are spendy, the best bulb you can use in place of 1157 [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > I think I'll go with the P3496 and not worry if it's illegal or not. Did you read that some turn signals won't work with the LED bulbs? Let us know if your works OK. Tom J who has been debating trying the Bargman direct replacement for his 21 yr old rig depends on the flasher. And all you have to do is use a HD flasher and put just one incandescent in the circuit. SignatureSteve Barker YOU should be the one controlling YOUR car. Check out: www.lightsout.org >> Steve, I came upon this on another web site: >> "Though they are spendy, the best bulb you can use in place of 1157 is [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > who has been debating trying the Bargman direct replacement for his 21 yr > old rig >>I see where Eddie <hawaii-50@sbcglobal.net> contributed: >> [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > Mr. Sill, It would be difficult to convert to LED. I thought of that > long time ago, not only for the trailer but for other vehicles. You can buy the whole assembly to convert to LED lights from any truckstop. Pilot, Loves, Petro, Flying J, T/A, ect. The > design of the taillights on my Holiday Rambler makes it almost > impossible to convert. It would have to be a complete re-design with [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > taillights seem to be extra thick and very dark red. I have a feeling > this design contributes to dimmer visible light being emitted. Because the light emitted is so pure white the lens have to be darker. Remember…. Some people are a lot like slinkies…….. They are not really good for anything, but…. they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs. “:o) > I doubt if HR makes a replacement lens that is thinner and not so > dark. But I will check if maybe after-market covers are available. > And not so dark! > Again, thanks to all > Eddie >>Your other choice: lower your expectations. >> >>Will >>"A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his >>fellow Man, which debt he proposes to pay off with >>your money." G. Gordon Liddy SignaturePosted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com >>I see where Eddie <hawaii-50@sbcglobal.net> contributed: >>>We're still having problems trying to fix the dim tail lights. So [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] >4-way flashers are not. I can live with this. Thank you all again. >Eddie Get a diagram of the connector so you know which pins are which. Next, make sure the tt battery is charged. Next get or make a wire with aligator clips on each end. Connect trailer power to each of your turn signals in turn and see if they are bright enough for you. If they are good and bright you know the problem isn't in the trailer. Two possibilities left: not a good ground on the truck side of the connector, or too thin wires running from the truck to the trailer lights.
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