mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on Jul 6, 2017 8:04:15 GMT -8
So we are having trouble with the wiring, we are confused about the tail lights. I bought these tail lights from VTS. There is a top bulb with one wiring coming from it, then the bottom bulb is a double filament with two wires coming from it. We are confused about what color wires hook up to which bulb wires.  We used this wiring diagram  |
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Jul 6, 2017 8:55:53 GMT -8
If I remember correctly, with these lights the larger bulb puts off more light and gets the brake light line, the Smaller bulb gets the tail lights and turn signal. I mixed them up on the last Shasta and realized the moment I saw how dim the brake lights were.
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mel
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Post by mel on Jul 6, 2017 9:08:16 GMT -8
If I remember correctly, with these lights the larger bulb puts off more light and gets the brake light line, the Smaller bulb gets the tail lights and turn signal. I mixed them up on the last Shasta and realized the moment I saw how dim the brake lights were. How does that work when there is only one wire for turn and brake not two separate. There are 3 wires coming at that point a for right is green, brown and white. For left is yellow, brown and white. |
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mel
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Post by mel on Jul 6, 2017 9:21:21 GMT -8
Just went outside. The bigger bulb is The two filament with the two wires coming out of it.
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Post by vikx on Jul 6, 2017 9:39:21 GMT -8
The two filament bulb wires are TM (tails and markers) and the other wire is brake/turns. The plate is the ground. NONE of the wires are grounds.
So, test the bulbs with a 12 volt battery. Connect the ground to the light plate and touch each double filament wire with hot. The brightest glow will signify brake/turn. Label this wire if necessary. (masking tape?) The single wire bulb is probably TM and is sometimes used for an extra light for the license plate.
Do
Connect your Turn wires to the Bright wire. (green or yellow) Connect the other wires together and to your TM wire. In the 4 way diagram, that would be Brown.
Finally, test the lights on the trailer to be sure your Turns are brighter than the Tails and Markers. Do not use a vehicle for this test. Instead, use a 12 volt battery. Ground to the frame and touch your wires with hot.
Hope this helps.
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mel
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Post by mel on Jul 6, 2017 16:36:03 GMT -8
Problem solved, thank you so much for the help. W just weren't using a high enough voltage battery.
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Jul 6, 2017 16:55:04 GMT -8
Problem solved, thank you so much for the help. W just weren't using a high enough voltage battery. Hate when that happens.... |
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Post by vikx on Jul 6, 2017 20:59:18 GMT -8
Mel, any way you could post the drawing here? Might help others...
I edited my post to say "12 volt" battery as well.
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mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on Jul 7, 2017 4:20:54 GMT -8
Here is the photo Vikx sent me. The correct way to wire it. And make sure you are using 12V I was trying to use 9V and was in a little panic when I thought something was broken or wrong. We didnt want to buy one of those big 12V to do one test and never use it again. IT finally dawned on us that we could use our drill battery, worked great!  Note1_1 (1) by Mel L, on Flickr |
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Post by vikx on Jul 7, 2017 21:51:22 GMT -8
Thanks Mel! Glad you got it fixed.
NOTE: color code above is 4 way. Most of us use 7 way, so don't mix them up. More info on the board available.
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Sam
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Post by Sam on Aug 15, 2017 10:02:14 GMT -8
I am just today dealing with this same issue-i just called vintage trailer supply where I bought the same exact light. They told me that the bulb with the single wire is a running light and the bulb with the two wires is for brake and turn. They said it didn't matter which of the two wires were for brake or turn because it was the same light.
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Post by vikx on Aug 15, 2017 21:00:05 GMT -8
It DOES MATTER!! One wire runs the turn and brake light (which is brighter) and the other is a running light. The single bulb is always a running light, so should be connected to the wire that runs the dimmer portion of the double filament bulb...
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mel
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Post by mel on Aug 16, 2017 4:15:43 GMT -8
I am just today dealing with this same issue-i just called vintage trailer supply where I bought the same exact light. They told me that the bulb with the single wire is a running light and the bulb with the two wires is for brake and turn. They said it didn't matter which of the two wires were for brake or turn because it was the same light. It does matter, I hooked it up wrong before I inquired with vikx. And what happenes if you dont have the brake hooked up to the brightest light is that if you are driving at night your running lights are so bright that if you brake no one will be able to see it because that light would be so dim behind the bright running light. I didnt understand that until I had hooked it up wrong, but its pretty sad that VTS doesnt know that. |
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ruderunner
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Post by ruderunner on Aug 19, 2017 4:14:57 GMT -8
Just curious if these are designed to work with newer tow vehicles that have a separate bulb for brakes and marker (dual filament) and a separate bulb for turn signal? Think most late model cars with Amber lenses for turn signal.
Is there a new style of trailer plug for these? I know about the conversion harness to go the other way.
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Post by vikx on Aug 31, 2017 21:04:44 GMT -8
This type of light was used a lot in the 60s/70s. It isn't modern enough to relate to a newer tow vehicle. LOL.
I believe some of the double bulb lights were used on one side of a trailer with a clear lens space to light a license plate. I've had trailers with one double set and the other single and variations.
Most vintage trailers (prior to 1970) used a single line to operate the tow lighting. (running lights and tails) A 2nd and 3rd wire run the turns. The vehicle connection automatically operates the brake lights thru the turn light wiring. (no separate wire for brake lights)
A 7 way connector does a very good job and is the plug of choice for most of us. Sometimes simple is better.
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