spoma
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Post by spoma on May 16, 2016 16:26:54 GMT -8
I am looking at the 7 pin wiring diagrams for my trailer. When I got the camper it had all the exterior fixtures on it but the wiring wasn't really there anymore and certainly didn't work. So, I'm trying to understand which lights are which. I can post pictures if it is more helpful but I am trying to understand what is what.
Front of Camper
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When you look at the camper there are 5 fixtures along the top front. One on the top left side. One on the top right side. Three on the top middle. Are these the front markers? Left, Right.....
What are the center ones? These might just be reflectors. Not sure.
Side of Camper
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Top Front there is a fixture. I think this is front marker. Is that correct?
On the back side there is a top and bottom fixture. Are these flashers?
Back of Camper
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There is a left and right round fixture. I assume both the flasher and the stop tail get wired into here.
There are also five some lights across the top back. Similar format to the front. One on each side and three in the middle.
Anyone that can shed some light on what is what would be greatly appreciated. If it will be helpful I can post some pics.
thanks.
Mark
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spoma
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Post by spoma on May 16, 2016 16:31:08 GMT -8
Decided my post was going to be confusing and I would add some pics. Thanks. SIDE OF TRAILER --------------------------------------  FRONT OF CAMPER --------------------------------------  BACK OF CAMPER (ignore the temporary lights connected on the bumper) ------------------------------------  |
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on May 16, 2016 18:16:01 GMT -8
First, the tails. This is the left one, with the license plate bracket. There should be a window on the bottom of the lens to illuminate the plate.  The one on the right side is just a double filament bulb, and solid red lens.  The two near the bottom on the sides are simple reflectors. All of the other lights you describe are all marker lights.   |
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Post by trailertrasher on May 16, 2016 18:25:27 GMT -8
all upper lights be it on the front,rear or side are running lights/markers and would use the same wire that would also go to one element of the tail lights (big round).The things on the bottom side are just reflectors.
You would have a separate wire for left,and then right turn signals each going to one of the tail lights. this would also be the brake lights if only a 1 bulb fixture. if two bulbs,you'd have yet another wire for that.
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Post by trailertrasher on May 16, 2016 18:31:51 GMT -8
Guess Ten and I were posting at the same time.
the remaining 3/4 wires would be:
Brakes
Ground
Auxiliary: this may go to a single interior light,battery,or not be used at all.
Brake lights: If a two bulb tail lamp is used (not the one with plate bulb).
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spoma
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Post by spoma on May 17, 2016 5:04:05 GMT -8
Thanks for the responses. I am going to take a little bit to digest this today and I will post back if i have any questions as I sketch this out.
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spoma
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Post by spoma on Jun 2, 2016 6:39:53 GMT -8
thanks everyone for the help. I feel like every schematic I look at online has a different color for a different thing. Is their a "proper" standard or is it a free for all. This is what I believe to be correct. Can someone fill in the holes for me or at least confirm what I think. I am going to be using a 7 pin wiring harness BROWN WIRE -All Upper Lights (running lights/markers) also one element of tail lights YELLOW WIRE -left turn signal (this just goes to left tail light) GREEN WIRE -right turn signal (this just goes to right tail light) WHITE WIRE -this is the ground throughout the system BLUE WIRE -this is for trailer breaks RED WIRE -this is auxiliary which can be used for almost anything. I think this is the wire i will use so that while driving the battery will get charged in the trailer BLACK WIRE -i'm really not sure. I have seen some people say backup lights?  ?? I have seen others say brake lights if using a two bulb tail lamp. |
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Post by danrhodes on Jun 2, 2016 7:17:04 GMT -8
This is the most accepted color code here on VTT.  Going to piggyback on your comment and ask about running lights for brake light fixtures with only one wire. How are the tail lights powered vs the brake lights? |
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spoma
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Post by spoma on Jun 2, 2016 8:13:17 GMT -8
WOW! That looks different then anything I have seen. I thought the 4 majors (left(Y), right(G), ground(W), and running lights(B)) were standard and the others changed. This is completely different so it doesn't allow you to use a 4 wire molded harness for those. Do people usually just buy all individual wires?
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Post by danrhodes on Jun 2, 2016 9:07:20 GMT -8
WOW! That looks different then anything I have seen. I thought the 4 majors (left(Y), right(G), ground(W), and running lights(B)) were standard and the others changed. This is completely different so it doesn't allow you to use a 4 wire molded harness for those. Do people usually just buy all individual wires? From the sticky: If you are switching from 4 way flat, the code is DIFFERENT: White=Ground Green=Right Turn...... 4 way Green goes to 7 way Brown Brown=Running Lights..... 4 way Brown goes to 7 way Green Yellow=Left Turn..... 4 way Yellow goes to 7 way Red Many vintage trailers did not follow the universal wiring code, so you may need to test each wire to see what it does. With a Good Ground, put 12 volts to each wire to see what works. |
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spoma
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Post by spoma on Jun 2, 2016 9:22:52 GMT -8
I'm not switching from anything. I have a blank slate as I am rebuilding the trailer from the ground up. I just wanted to make sure I wired it to some kind of a correct color code, so that if 50 years from now someone else has to look at it they understand what is what.
It does seem easier from a buying wire point of view to wire the lights using a 5 wire wishbone harness and using that for running lights, tail lights, blinkers, and ground. then purchasing individual (blue, red, maybe black) and using the 4 wire color scheme conversion. if their a downside to this? i know easier isn't always better.
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Post by vikx on Jun 2, 2016 22:19:36 GMT -8
It's always a good idea to wire to the 7 way code. When the trailer has a 7 way plug, you have a lot more options, like brakes and battery charging.
There is no problem with running a 4 way ribbon from the front J box to the back. Switch the color code and attach red to yellow. These are tow wires, nothing to do with inside wiring.
I use a J box at the back and run tails and turns from there. 4 way comes in: White/ground, Clearance lights can be run from the front J box or the back, or both. Troubleshooting is easier if from one or the other, not both.
I say go with the 7 way code and J boxes.
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spoma
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Post by spoma on Jun 3, 2016 7:17:36 GMT -8
Thanks Vikx. I was planning on using a a J box, so I will just cross the colors there and stick to standard colors coming off of the tow vehicle. Thanks.
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?? I have seen others say brake lights if using a two bulb tail lamp.
