Trailer Battery Charge Circuit - SuperBright LED Bulb Chart/Recommendations

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Trailer Battery Charge Circuit - SuperBright LED Bulb Chart/Recommendations

August 13, 2018, 11:28:18 am

Hello all,

The time has finally come for the toad to actually become...a toad. My LD has a 7 way plug installed, but does not have 12V @ pin #4. The mopar wiring harness I've installed (the toad is a Jeep) requires 12V from the tow vehicle to trigger relays. I've spent some time beneath my rig looking for the "unused" plug, associated with the trailer battery charge circuit, that is referenced on several other sites as being located on driver's side rail between the gas tank & rear bumper, but cannot locate. I found several unused plugs along the driver side rail but none were associated with the 12V trailer battery charge. Can anyone tell me where the terminating end of the trailer battery charge circuit lives on a 2001 MB? Some diagrams show as orange others as orange with green stripe. Now that I've taken the rv back to storage lot, I found this LD wiring | Flickr in Larry's collection . Is this where she lives? Many thanks.

Ray

Re: Trailer battery charge circuit

Reply #1 – August 13, 2018, 11:36:27 am

I can only offer Good Luck. Larry got me to that maze of wires, but I had no idea what to do other than look at them and put the cover back over them.

#4 is Green - RH Turn
Have you checked fuses #24 and #26 in the box under the hood? 24 is running and 26 is turn/brake. If you 12v on #6 stop you should have 12v on #4.

Re: Trailer battery charge circuit

Reply #2 – August 13, 2018, 11:40:28 am

Hi Don, thanks for your reply. Yes, I've located and verified fuses & relay for the circuit just haven't had much luck finding it...although I did find a moist black tank fitting while crawling around underneath (ask me how)

Re: Trailer battery charge circuit

Reply #3 – August 13, 2018, 11:42:40 am

4 pin & 7 pin a little different from one another.

Re: Trailer battery charge circuit

Reply #4 – August 13, 2018, 12:13:34 pm

In setting many LDs for towing, I never found a 12-volt charge wire, instead a new 10-gauge wire was run from the starting battery to the rear bumper .Both ends of the new wire would be fused.
Several of these installtions used a Toad-Charge to eliminatre possibly killing the starting battery.
TOAD-CHARGE Dinghy Vehicle Battery Charger/Maintainer

2003 and eariler LDs had undersize tow light wiring, these rigs needed relays to boost the voltage.
Our 2003 had to be wired this way to provide bright enough toad tail lights.
Years later, switching both the LD’s and toad’s tail light to LEDs eliminated the need for the relays and battery boost circuit.

Larry

Re: Trailer battery charge circuit

Reply #5 – August 13, 2018, 01:07:53 pm

Hi Larry, thanks for the reply. Dang it, I figured if anyone would know it was located, it'd be you or other long-timers like yourself! Ron, Kent, Rodney y'all feel free to pile on here.

I've given thought to running new from battery to bumper, but that'd require construction of circuit that already exists (somewhere), now if LD used that circuit for other purposes, then it makes the decision pretty easy.

Oh, and thanks for the reminder about LED lights! That'll certainly save hardship once I get the power situation resolved.

Re: Trailer battery charge circuit

Reply #6 – August 13, 2018, 01:40:37 pm

Hi Ray. Last summer I bought a red 2001 MB for some friends of mine. They live in a boat on the east coast, but had traveled into the Great lakes. They have continued their adventures there this summer, but needed a place to live while the boat was in storage. They were going to rent a motor home for 7 months, and I convinced them that an older LD would cost less in the long run, and could be re-sold at about the same price they paid. (Value added was my labor.) I wasn't counting but the bill at LD was $999.49! just for parts. My friends gave me a 'blank check'. I LED'fied the outside lighting except for the headlights which i replaced. The housings came with new bulbs. New shower skylight, new A/C housing, new escape hatch cover, serpentine belt, spare tire, etc.
I put in a 7-pin 'RV' standard socket under the rear bumper and wiring up to under the hood. 40A circuit breaker, etc. The rig came with an enhanced bumper hitch, tow bar and Brake Buddy, More details if you wish. I ran out of time, and didn't take all of the pictures I wanted to. Overall it was great fun. They kept 'Apple' (red and white colors) for next winter and will continue in the Great Lakes next spring (2019). RonB

Re: Trailer battery charge circuit

Reply #7 – August 13, 2018, 01:44:36 pm

Hi Ron and thank you for the reply. So you ended up running new from battery then? If you have links for the LEDs that you used that'd help save time as I plan to "LED'ifie" (haha) the outside also.

Re: Trailer battery charge circuit

Reply #8 – August 13, 2018, 01:55:25 pm

Hi Ray. I've got to do some research on the lights I used to see if I got the numbers right, and that they are still available. Yes I came off of the Alternator feed to the fuse box on the driver side under the hood. RonB

Re: Trailer battery charge circuit

Reply #9 – August 13, 2018, 03:03:43 pm

Quote from: RonB - August 13, 2018, 01:40:37 pm

Hi Ray. Last summer I bought a red 2001 MB for some friends of mine. They live in a boat on the east coast, but had traveled into the Great lakes.They kept 'Apple' (red and white colors) for next winter and will continue in the Great Lakes next spring (2019). RonB

Well, let's see whether the sell the boat or the LD first.

Re: Trailer battery charge circuit

Reply #10 – August 13, 2018, 03:22:41 pm

Ray-

I found and used the two connectors you mention. It's dirty and cramped under there. But, I felt the effort worthwhile.

There are two issues here:

1) As it comes from LD, a pre-2004 coach shares its "automotive" wiring at the rear with the trailer connector. The combined load of incandescent bulbs for the two vehicles exceeds the distance and gauges of the wires, causing dim lights. The first fix for this issue is to replace coach and toad bulbs with LEDs. Hopefully, this may eliminate the need for all the rewiring/boosters/etc.. Note: If you can replace the turn signals with LED "bulbs," you need to ensure the flasher relay is compatible, or replace it (if you can; on our Honda Fit you can't). Note: Ford fixed this problem in 2004, by splitting the coach and trailer light wiring.

2) 12V charge line. Ford provided it. It's a matter of extending it to the coach hitch connector. Here's a link to a post I made on another forum that includes a picture of the two connectors. Or you could wire a new charge line, suitably-fused, from the LD battery. One of the nice aspects of using the Ford charge line is that it is only "hot" when the ignition is in the "accessory" or "run" positions.

Until six weeks ago, I could link to Ford's diagram showing where the connectors are. Ford has since removed the content from their Web site.

Mark H

Re: Trailer battery charge circuit

Reply #11 – August 13, 2018, 03:43:45 pm

Hi Mark, thanks for chiming in! I did locate those two same connectors that you referenced in your post (on other site), they sit on top of the gray tank (fwd) and were just out of reach, so I did not disassemble those as I had done with others to follow specific conductors.

I seem to remember that all conductors were "used up" with the taillights/clearance lights, when I started counting, but the conductor colors are faded with age (as are many things) and it's kinda hard to tell orange from yellow or tan under there.

I will check it out as soon as I have the chance to get back under her. Thanks again for your help!!

Re: Trailer battery charge circuit

Reply #12 – August 13, 2018, 08:26:28 pm

Hi Ray. I updated the post from a year ago, and included links and better prices. Copied from another file:

SuperBrightLEDs.com

ST-W12 (two of them) 12 Bright White LED 7000K, 155 lumens, 4" dia. reverse lights. (they need 3 pin connector.) $14.95 each. Round LED Back-Up Truck and Trailer Lights - 4" LED Reverse Lights w/ 12...

STR-12 (four of them) 12 Bright Red LED 628 nm. truck/tail lights, 155 lumens, 4" diam., (they need 3 pin connector.) $14.95 each. Round LED Truck and Trailer Lights - 4â€ LED Brake/Turn/Tail Lights - 3-Pin...

ST-PL35 (six of them) 3 pin plug assembly for ST series. $1.49 each. Right Angle 3-Pin Plug for Trailer Lights and Truck Lights | Super Bright LEDs

FLSS-40 (six of them) ST series Stainless Steel Flange mounts. [Trim rings] $4.95 each use #8 x3/4" SS pan head screws 18ct. ST Series Stainless Steel Flange Mounts | Super Bright LEDs

LPC-R4W 1 1/2" round license plate light (two of them), 4 white LED, 5000K, 10 lumem, chromed plastic housing 14" leads. $5.95 each 1-1/2â€ Round LED License Plate Light w/ 4 SMD LEDs w/ Chrome Housing | Super...

TLB-R11 (one light) 11 Red, LED ID bar, 19" long, 630 nm. 10 lumen per LED, $29.95 each. color matches brake lights well. Light Bar LED Truck and Trailer Light - 19â€ LED Brake and Turn Light Bar w/...

Two Rear red marker lights about 2"x4" , surface mount, pigtail, $4.95 ea. Oval LED Truck and Trailer Lights - 4â€ LED Side Clearance Lights - Pigtail...

Two replacement front turn signal lights in amber LED. Shorter version to fit in the Ford plastic front housing. $9.95 each 1157 LED Bulb - Dual Function 27 SMD LED Tower - BAY15D Bulb | Super Bright LEDs

I replaced the inside step/patio light reminder and the 'night light' inside with this similar LED part. $5.95 ea. License Plate LED Truck and Trailer Light - Universal LED License Plate...

Amber LED replacement for the patio light, especially if you leave it on for long periods of time. 1156 with BA15s bayonet base in Amber color, 185 lumens $5.95 at SuperBrightLEDs.com 1156 LED Bulb - 18 SMD LED Tower - BA15S Base | Super Bright LEDs

I replaced my marker light bulbs, keeping the present fixtures, with Yellow LED's for the front and red LED;s for the rear, 5 each. 194 bulb replacements, Super bright LED.com. Amber 194-AHP5, Red 194-RHP5, 194 LED Bulb - 5 SMD LED Tower - Miniature Wedge Base | Super Bright LEDs at $5.95 each (ten bulbs) They worked well once the fixtures were repaired.

From Amazon, with affiliate sales to benefit LDOF:

Red Bumper reflectors, LED's aren't reflective at night when off. Grand General 12" with screw holes and double stick tape. Amazom $8.14 Amazon.com: Grand General 80866 Red 12" Stick-On Reflector Strip with 2...

Grote electronic flasher #44892 3 pin North American (JSO)pin out; Amazon @ $18.01
Amazon.com: Grote 44892 3 Pin Flasher (North American (JSO) Pinout): Automotive

Headlights Sylvania 9006 Silver Star Ultra halogen (white not purple) $32.99 Amazon.com: SYLVANIA 9006 SilverStar Ultra High Performance Halogen Headlight...

This part from Etrailer.com; 118158 a Tekonsha 2 to 3 wire tail light converter $19.79. Connects to your brake lights and gives a useful 'Brake Only' signal for the high mounted center brake light. People following you expect a center brake light. I mounted mine on the tire cover. Vehicle to Vehicle Tail Light Converter Tow Ready Accessories and Parts 118158

There are less expensive headlight housings, but I wasn't happy with a pair I bought at the lowest pricepoint. These 'Spec-D' head light housings had the LED white stripe at the bottom. I wired the LED's to the marker light circuit next door in the turn signal/running light corner. (marker light circuit) These parts are changing rapidly, I know some members have gone to white LED headlights, but I stayed with the halogen for now. Autolightpros.com. Not 'cheap' at $85.99 Spec-D LH-ECON92-RS | 1999 Ford Econoline Chrome/Clear LED Headlights for...

I also used the 'inside step lights' without the black shroud, inside my storage compartments. 4 each with manual on/off switch, and door closed switch to make sure they weren't on when locked.
The six lights look good but were difficult to mount. The shoulder and the socket where the plug goes in, are deeper than the recess in the end cap. So I had to cut out a rectangle at the top, just rotated to keep the LED's lined up horizontally from the outside. But I could glue (latex caulk) them and the plugs in from the inside. The MidBath has an access panel on both sides, at the end of the storage compartments. Especially handy for replacing the license plate lights which were a bit of a 'Kluge' in 1999-2001. I used a piece of closed cell polyethylene foam behind each tail light, cut to thickness and diameter to keep them tight. doesn't absorb water. Another problem that LD had is the holes in the end cap weren't quite 4" in diameter. I Bent the edge ridge on the trim rings in just slightly, filed down (doesn't show, won't rust) so they would fit into the holes. The holes were tapered to 'release' from the mold properly, so that is why they are just a little too small for the rings.
The sheet metal screws included with the reflectors are no match for the steel bumper. I just drilled through holes and put lock washers and nuts on the back. 2-26 IIRC. RonB

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Re: Trailer battery charge circuit

Reply #13 – August 13, 2018, 08:28:26 pm

A picture of Apple from the outside showing the reflector. RonB

Re: Trailer Battery Charge Circuit - SuperBright LED Bulb Chart/Recommendations

Reply #14 – August 14, 2018, 12:59:32 am

Hi Ron -

Holy cow what a BOM of LEDs you've assembled here! This should be a "sticky" somewhere (if not already), you saved me an entire day or more from the special frustrations which arise only through lengthy periods on the internet.

This my friend demands a cold beverage of your choice some day.

Question - Since we don't have to concern ourselves with "Light bulb out" warnings on our earlier LDs (another blessing) should I be concerned with load resistors or will the electronic flasher alone take care of that (hyperflash)?

Now I've gotta figure out LEDs for the Jeep - canbus is a pain in the bus!

Thanks again Ron for all the hard work & pearls regarding the "hidden" access panels!

Re: Trailer Battery Charge Circuit - SuperBright LED Bulb Chart/Recommendations

Reply #15 – August 14, 2018, 01:03:52 am

Quote from: l1v3fr33ord13 - August 13, 2018, 03:22:41 pm

2) 12V charge line. Ford provided it. It's a matter of extending it to the coach hitch connector. Here's a link to a post I made on another forum that includes a picture of the two connectors. Or you could wire a new charge line, suitably-fused, from the LD battery. One of the nice aspects of using the Ford charge line is that it is only "hot" when the ignition is in the "accessory" or "run" positions.

Thanks for posting this. I tried to take a look this afternoon but could not get far enough under to find the wires.
Our campsite is sloped and the rear of the rig is low, with the front end raised,.
Any idea what gauge the 'battery' wire is?

Larry
Smokey NW Washington

Re: Trailer Battery Charge Circuit - SuperBright LED Bulb Chart/Recommendations

Reply #16 – August 14, 2018, 01:24:43 am

Larry,

Don't know what gauge just yet, haven't had a chance to get to it. I did speak with Vince today regarding same and he wasn't aware of the circuit being used as part of the coach construction which is encouraging as it may be simply terminated in the pigtail like described by Mark.

I was concerned with wire gauge, but then remembered that the function of the 12V power was to trigger relays in the mopar harness and provide a trickle (or float) charge to the Jeep battery. The LD trailer battery charge circuit located in power distribution box is fused at 40 A, so I'm hoping for 10/12 gauge.

Re: Trailer Battery Charge Circuit - SuperBright LED Bulb Chart/Recommendations

Reply #17 – August 14, 2018, 07:24:53 am

Ray (and Larry)-

On our 1997, the trailer charge (orange) wire was 12 AWG. It is likely the same on your coach. If you can get to the connectors, you should find the ends wrapped in the bundle, about six inches to a foot from the connector. You might as well extend the blue trailer electric brake controller output wire while you are at it. It is also 12 AWG.

I use heat-shrink crimp connectors for this kind of "outdoor" application.

Mark H

Re: Trailer Battery Charge Circuit - SuperBright LED Bulb Chart/Recommendations

Reply #18 – August 14, 2018, 12:46:40 pm

My LD already has a 10- gauge 12-volt wire running to the rear bumper. I’m interested in the wires so the next time a friend needs help wiring a toad’stail lights, we can save some time.

Ford’s 12-volt wire to the rear, being ignition control, would make for great source of power for a rear view camera.

Larry

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