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Installation of LED Tail Lights
Yahoo Message Number: 152456
Just installed LED tail lights on our 26.5 04 MB.  Looking for follow-up comments on installation details.
I suspect Larry would be able to address this but, I would appreciate input from anyone who might be able to address my concerns.

LED tail lights are in and working fine.  As expected, the lights went into "hyper flash" when initially checked following installation.  I then acquired four 25 watt LED resistors and begin installing them.  The instructions with the resistors as well as googled input indicated that "each" LED bulb should have a resistor attached to it. After installing the first resistor on the left outside tail light, I activated the turn left turn signal and the tail light responded at normal intervals;  good news.  I then moved to the right outside tail light and installed a resistor.  Again, good results with normal flashing intervals.  I then realized that both the inside left and right tail lights were also functioning in a normal fashion.

I have typically found that keeping things as simple and less complex as possible with electrical and mechanical functions means lower potential problems in the long run.  Therefore, my thought was, why install resistors on the two inside tail lights?  Is there a problem with this that I do not understand?

I suspect that both lights on the left and both lights on the right are fed by the same hot wire. If so, maybe one resistor will serve both.  If anyone knows of a potential problem with this, I can and will proceed with installing resistors on the two inboard lights.  If there is no problem, I will keep the resistors as spares.

I was surprised and disappointed to find that the wires to the tail lights were so short.  The LD shop apparently did not feel that anyone would ever need to access or replace lights.  The hot and the ground leads at the lights provided less than one inch to work with.  The same was true for the wires to the license plates.  I fabricated a short LED strip light and mounted it above the plate.  The original license plate lights were corroded and one was not working.  Fortunately, the problem was only with the light units. There was no sign of moisture issues around the holes in the fiberglass rear panel.  I sealed them with caulking and covered them over with the new mount strip.

Jim, NC
Re: Installation of LED Tail Lights
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152458
Jim

There are two tail lights on each side and both are wired together in parallel.
All you need is one resistor for each side to put enough load on the turn signalr module for a normal blink rate.
You could have replaced the turn signal module with an electronic turn signal module and avoided the resistors all together.

Yes, LD does cut the tail light wires as short as possible.  I unscrew the cans and pull them out as far as possible. Next, using locking forceps, I clamp the wires as close the rear wall as possible, before the cutting the tail light can free. Sometime there is only an inch or so or wire remaining.
I have had the short wires break free of the forceps and disappear into the rear wall, never to be seen again.
That makes your day.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Installation of LED Tail Lights
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152459
Thanks Larry for confirming my assessment of the tail light install.  As you acknowledged, I was very careful not to "lose" the short wires in the rear panel.  That would have been very frustrating.

Jim, mc
Re: Installation of LED Tail Lights
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152460
"using locking forceps"

------- Everyone who has seen or worked with LD's parsimonious wiring, i.e., if 4" of "tolerance" is a workable length, 1" is better, knows that Larry's MO of using locking forceps to keep the wires from vanishing into a black hole is a smart move. (He recently replaced my old LED taillights with new LED taillights; I watched, asked questions, and generally got in his way! ;-) )

BTW, LD is tight with any wiring "surplus" *everywhere*, not just at the taillights; I certainly understand not having wadded up nests of too-generous wires stuffed into spaces, but LD goes too far the other way. If you do a lot of your own electrical work of the LD, I suggest investing in several pairs of locking forceps. ;-)

As ever, YMMV.

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Installation of LED Tail Lights
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152465
Would somebody please explain to Lazy Daze workers the concept of a "service loop"? When I worked as an electronics tech, it was standard procedure to leave a small loop of cable behind any removable device--enough that if it became necessary to service the device, it could be pulled out to a conveniently accessible position. I wish the factory would make this common-sense practice standard procedure on new Lazy Dazes.

Andy Baird
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Installation of LED Tail Lights
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152477
I agree 100% Andy.  It seems irresponsible not to provide enough wire for servicing and replacement of items that they know will wear out over time.
I used alligator clips to keep the "stubs" from disappearing as I worked.

Jim, nc
Re: Installation of LED Tail Lights
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152479
It has been several years since I installed LED tail lights in our '04 so I don't remember all the details but I simply replaced the flasher rather than install resistors.  Someplace in the archives there should be a reference to the type or P/N for the flasher.

Monti
Re: Installation of LED Tail Lights
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152481
if you are not already a member of the yahoo group 'Techsnoz

' I suggest joining as there are a quite a few articles on installing LED tailights.

Jerry 2000 30IB
Jerry Galang
Meridian, ID 83646
 
Re: Installation of LED Tail Lights
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152487
On the Techsnoz Yahoo Group Terry Tanner has posted all of his articles about LED lights, including those on the LED tail lights.  One of the articles contains a complete parts list for doing the LED tail lights, including the LED compatible flasher.  Many years ago I had Terry install the LED  tail lights in my previously owned 2005 MB.  A year or so ago I believe that Terry told me that he had installed about 250 sets of these lights.   It seemed like he installed several sets at each LD Caravan gathering.
 I am sure Terry would second your feelings about the short "service loops"  that LD provides.     When he was doing my lights a butt splice in one lead came apart and he had to remove a panel or two to gain access for repairs.  I believe that he mentioned that on some floor plans (RK? or RB?) it was not possible to get access to the wiring if you "lost a wire" or a wire  broke.

Doug Baker